Beginning Monday, May 2, we’ll be knitting the Odora Shawl. For more information about the KAL, check out the Knitbits #653 then click over to the Berroco Lover’s Ravelry Group to join us. Berroco has how-to’s to help you through every step of the way from the garter tab cast-on to the bind-off and in between. Today we’re helping you get started with some alternative yarn suggestions.
Odora is a top-down triangular shawl worked in a garter stitch lace pattern. The pattern was designed for Folio, a beautiful alpaca/rayon blend that is perfect for shawl knitting: super soft, super light, and incredibly drapey. But it’s not the only choice—Berroco has a yarn for every taste, and for every season.
Need something really special? Andean Mist is an incredible value for such a luxurious yarn, 74% Baby Suri Alpaca, 26% Silk—this looks like kid mohair but it is so much softer. Amano Ayni is a slinky 80% Baby Alpaca, 20% silk blend and is my choice for the Odora KAL. Lang Stellina Perline has Italian glass beads spun into the yarn for an easy way to knit some bling into your shawl.
Looking for a super economical choice? Ultra Alpaca Light is a sock-weight blend of Wool, Nylon, and Alpaca. This yarn is super squishy when knit in garter stitch and the Alpaca gives it just enough halo and drape—with 433 yards per skein, this would be a 2 skein project. Boboli Lace comes in beautiful tonals perfect for lace knitting with a rustic hand-dyed look.
Summers here in New England can be hot and humid one minute, then cool the next. The answer: A cool to the touch wrap with just enough weight to chase a chill away. Corsica is a perfect take-everywhere blend of 90% cotton, 10% cashmere. Keep it with you for a breezy day on the beach, then wrap up in it after dinner. Another best-of-both-worlds blend, Berroco Fiora has a bit of everything, mostly cotton and rayon but 15% Alpaca and 5% Wool for a blend of fibers that shimmers.
Cosma is a perfect choice for adding warmth without sacrificing drape. For warmer, sturdier, more rustic shawls with a bit of body consider Vintage DK. Think cozy wraps that you can wear like outerwear on chilly mornings in the spring and fall or wrap up in the depth of Winter. Other choices: Lang Donegal, Amano Puna.
The KAL kicks off Monday May—share which yarn you’re going to knit your Odora with in the comments below and swing back next week to talk about casting on.
-AC