obstacles of least resistance

Posted on Posted in patterns, Uncategorized

the second piece in the manLace series, obstacles holds little in the way of challenge except that, with its luxurious texture and mesmerizing pattern, there is simply no resisting it.

scarf-sized or full-sized shawl—in cashmere, it’s hedonistically warm and soft, but maybe your vice
(or his) is another poison altogether. anything soft and scrumptious will do. leave it scrunchy, as it comes off the needles, or block it out for incredible drape and sweep. the only challenge here is who will get to wear it first.

obstacles shawl
shown here in fearless fibers 4-ply cashmere sport, sedona colorway

  • pattern price: $6.00 USD (ohio residents, please add $.36 sales tax)
  • payment method: please visit our pattern shop!
  • Suggested Yarns: Fearless Fibers 4-ply Cashmere Sport or Merino Sport, Elsbeth Lavold Silky Wool or Silky Tweed, Classic Elite Blithe or Miracle, Briar Rose Sea Pearl or Legend, Joseph Galler Sahara, Classic Alpaca, Indiecita Baby Alpaca DK, Knit Picks Elegance, or any smooth DK or fingering yarn which has a relaxed hand and drape.
  • Finished Size (blocked): Shawl 19�? W x 84�? L / Scarf 12�? W x 64�? L
  • notes: Width may be changed by adding or subtracting stitches in increments of 14; each additional repeat of the pattern will add approximately 4�? to the final blocked width and 2.5�? in length.
    Final measurements are dependent on yarn/needle choices; finer yarns and smaller needles will reduce the overall dimensions, while heavier yarns and larger needles will increase the size.
  • Yarn requirements: Shawl 900 yards / Scarf 450 yds
  • Gauge: 16 sts and 24 rows = 4�? in stockinette stitch (unblocked)
  • Needles: Size 8 (or size to obtain correct gauge) and needles one size smaller will be needed for garter edging

My thanks to carole for test knitting the pattern and offering suggestions!

15 thoughts on “obstacles of least resistance

  1. You know Anne, I keep telling myself that I am going to have to quit venturing over to your site if you are going to continue to dangle these goodies in front of me. Or maybe that’s why I continue to come on over 🙂 Either way, it’s gorgeous!!!!!

  2. I honestly can’t decide whether I like it better left alone or blocked. It’s a wonderful pattern but I’m not sure I’m going to actually relinquish it to The Man. Ya know?

  3. I am just finishing knitting your feather and fan stole for a friend’s birthday, and i’ve loved it. I may well knit this one for myself.

  4. Greetings from Finland!

    Just found my way here, I think your blog is lovely!

    I loved the little baby jumper you finished on the 25th of Nov! Any pattern to that?

  5. Purty!

    Not that my Man would ever wear anything like that, but I might! Dr. Pig’s wardrobe consists of pretty much three brands: Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic (although he’d die to admit that), and Cabela’s. Product descriptions must include the mention of either “100% cotton” or the word “ripstop”.

  6. Your shawl/scarf is beautiful! How would you rate the difficulty level? I am a relatively new knitter. Thanks!

  7. Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! It jumps off the page and begs one to touch and place it around one’s shoulders…Must knit this too! Am I ready for such a challenge?

  8. Oh yeah. I am going to buy this for my birthday present. A woman at my SnB already bought it, we were talking about it last night and she went home and there it was and she had to have it!

  9. Anne, I am knitting this as a scarf for my husband and am loving the pattern.

    I would like to knit up a shawl for my MIL but it would need to be in a machine washable wool. I’m not going to saddle her with anything that needs to be hand washed and blocked.

    Which of the following have you had experience with or would recommend?

    KnitPicks:
    Essential (http://www.knitpicks.com/Essential_YD5420133.html)
    Swish DK (http://www.knitpicks.com/Swish+DK_YD5420168.html)
    Essential Tweed (http://www.knitpicks.com/Essential+Tweed_YD5420150.html)

    Little Knits:
    King Tut Cotton (http://www.littleknits.com/proddetail.php?prod=KingTut1085)

    Sarah’s Yarn:
    Mission Falls 1824 (http://www.sarahsyarns.com/MissionFalls1824Wool.html)

    I’m currently using Patons Merino for the scarf and it seems a little stiff for the effect I’d want to go for in a shawl. Of course, that may be because its a worsted.

Comments are closed.