Read Between the Lines Shawl (The Knitter)

I’m so excited to share this! My Read Between the Lines shawl design has been published in this month’s issue of The Knitter Magazine (Issue 113 – July 2017) and I have to say, I’m pretty proud of it! It’s knit using the Illusion Knitting technique with two complimentary colours of Scheepjes Whirl long gradient yarn (you can see my review of the yarn here).  I haven’t received my copy of the magazine yet, but they were kind enough to send me these promo photos to share with all of you before the magazine is released tomorrow.

The shawl is part of a pullout special focusing on Sheepjes, inlcuding an interview with Simy Somer (creative director and blogger mama bear of our blogger group), info on new yarns and what Sheepjes is up to lately. The pattern for the shawl is included in the pullout, so you can make it too!

When I discovered the Illusion Knitting yarn technique, I really wanted to learn how it was done. It’s such an interesting result, as the finished piece looks different depending on the angle you look at it from. You can see in the above photo, for example… when looking at it front on, you see the simple horizontal stripes, but on the shoulders and lower left side, you see the larger vertical stripes as well. That is the illusion! As I was knitting it, I kept sitting it down in different places and moving around it to see the design change right before my eyes.

I had so many ideas for this technique and it was just fate that these ideas happened around the same time that Sheepjes released their line of Whirl gradient yarn. I used the colours Jumpin’ Jelly (759) and Cotton Candy Man (760) but there are endless combinations that you can put together, especially now that they are releasing new colours all the time.

I wanted to keep the pattern itself quite simple as the project is quite large. With two kilometers of yarn to knit, I didn’t want to create something that required a ton of thought the entire time. Once you get going and get the hang of the pattern, this makes a great knit for watching TV. Trust me, I know, I had a cast on my leg when I was finishing it and couldn’t really do a whole lot else! It also makes it a great beginner project!

The Knitter magazine will hit shelves tomorrow, July 18, in the UK and a little later internationally. You can find more info on the magazine and where to buy it on their website at www.theyarnloop.com.

Want to add this project to your Ravelry queue? You can find it here!

If you would like to make this shawl you can find Scheepjes Whirl yarn internationally via Woolwarehouse* or from your local Scheepjes retailer.  If you do, I would love to see it! Be sure to tag me on Facebook or Instagram so I can see your pics!

*Affiliate Link

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18 comments

  1. Hi Tammy, I bought the pattern on Ravelry after a friend put photographs of her finished project on Facebook, and knitted a smaller version with a 150g yarn cake I had (only one of that specific colourway, with no matching colourways in the other yarn cakes I’d managed to snaffle), using a pastel rainbow-dyed yarn as colour B, which turned out to be a perfect match. Now I’m making a second one, totally different colour yarn cake and matching solid colours to blend or contrast, but these are slightly thicker and I don’t know if I can manage to fit all the 270 or so stitches on my 30cm straight needles (I managed it on the first shawl). Even if I can cope with a circular needle, I can’t figure out how to effect the yarn change on the even-numbered rows, since taking the ‘outgoing’ yarn to the back after slipping purlwise doesn’t seem to work with the ‘closed loop’. Any suggestions?

    • Hi Agnes, I’m not sure what you mean about the closed loop? Can you explain? It should work the same regardless of which yarn you are using, I would think…

      • Hi Tammy, I mean when you slip the first stitch of an even-numbered row purlwise, then pass the one yarn to the back between the stitches and bring the new colour forward from the right to knit the remainder of the row. If you are using a circular needle, slipping the first stitch means you close the gap between the needle points – and you would have to pass the old yarn ball through the circle to have it out of the way, or am I missing something? I tried using the circular needle when the number of stitches was beginning to cramp the needle, but found I got into a muddle with the yarns at the colour change-over. (Sorry about the lengthy description at the start, I realised that was unnecessary after I clicked ‘Post comment’…)

        • Hmm, I see what you mean, sort of, but you shouldn’t have to pass the ball of yarn through. It should work no differently than if you were using straight needles. I’m having a bit of trouble still, envisioning why you’d need to do that, unless maybe you are interpreting something differently.

          Did you have a look at my tips and tricks post where I showed how to do the colour change? I have a short video showing how to do that bit. If you are doing it the same then you shouldn’t have to bother with the balls at all. Have a look at let me know if it’s still an issue.

          http://www.canadutch.nl/wordpress/archives/16510

  2. Hi Tammy, I love this pattern! I already a rosewater cocktail in my stash. Which other colour way do you suggest with it? I was thinking of lemon cassis cream or blackberry mint chip but i’m not very confident with colour and so any advice gratefully received!

    All the best, Reena

    • Hi Reena,
      I think either of those combinations would work! Having watched a few people finish this project already I’ve realized two things. Firstly, there hasn’t been a combination yet that didn’t work. Even ones that I was skeptical about when people chose colours I wasn’t particularly fond of, it somehow worked out when put together. I think as long as you don’t have to sections of the cake with the exact same colour in the same spot, you can’t really go wrong. Secondly, it never seems to look the way you imagine when knitted up. I’m not sure why it is, but when I look at the cakes, the finished project always looks completely different once it’s put together. So, I guess what I’m saying is, your best bet is to just choose two cakes you really like and go for it. :) It’s always a bit of a mystery how it will work out, but they all seem to turn into something really cool in the end! Be sure to post photos on Ravelry or tag me on FB or IG so I can see what you come up with!

  3. I would love to make the shawl with two same colors of the whirl but starting with each opposite side what do you think? I have 2 blueberry bambam
    Ann

    • Hi Ann, I think the same colour in opposite directions would work. You would lose some of the illusion when the matching colour meets in the middle, but it could create another dimension to the shawl with the illusion fading out and then going back in again on the other side. It’s worth trying! If you do, please put pics on Ravelry so I can see, I’m really curious how it would work out! :)

  4. I ordered the digital versian via Zinio and it Works fine. What a wonderful pattern. I ordered my material while I was on vacation in Sweden but tomorrow I am back home and can ‘t want to start. Thanks Tammy for this beautiful pattern.

    • Thank you Inez! :) Is there anywhere (Ravelry, Instagram etc) where I could follow your project? I’m so curious to see what colours people use and how they work out!

      • I am going to use Scheepjes Whirl Red Velvet Sunrise and Salted Caramel Matcha. I hope that will be a good combination. But unfortunately the people who accepted my package from the mailman are not at home. So I still can not start. But I will post some pictures on my Ravelry account. I will let you know.

  5. I just love this pattern ,I would like to buy the it sur here in France this seems impossible

  6. I’m totally blown away, awesome design and stunning colours. Totally nailed in the photos. Love it!!!

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