polypore—a knit club favorite

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leading the parade of accessory projects from our mood swings 2017 club, polypore was a popular shawl right off the bat. with its intriguing hem shapes and deliciously wavy pattern embracing a crescent-shaped garter stitch body, this design was attractive to the color enthusiasts, technique junkies, and shawl lovers among us.

its ability to be knit in a single, luxury shade, a variegated colorway, and two (or more!) contrasting colors gives it that special flexibility a club knit requires—there is something for everyone here.

the original sample was knit in two shades of zen yarn garden serenity silk +, custom dyed for the first club installment, one mood and one lifter. the bright color accents the waviness of the lace pattern used in the deep hem sections, as well as outlining the irregular edges.

we sold out on both colorways almost immediately, so for this general release, we had to come up with a different way to show off the design.

for our reknit we chose a subtle, elegant approach by working with a single shade of bare naked wools chebris lace in frappé. this nearly cream shade is laced with silvery threads of gray, lending it a gorgeous patina. with this option, the openwork is more of a feature, as is the textural depth of the garter stitch stripes—a great way to show off a single skein of luxury yarn.

the hem begins with a very large cast-on number that is quickly reduced after a few simple stockinette rows to form a curling, organic edge.

the design was inspired by groupings of bracken mushrooms (or polypores) that i discovered while walking cardigan in the rain last spring. when i saw their shaped edges, i immediately thought, what a pretty shawl hem that would be!

using two colors or a single variegated colorway enhances the dramatic wave motion within the stitch pattern and the short row shaping of the shawl body. you could also use a contrasting yarn type, rather than a contrasting color—pairing deco lace, for instance, with the chebris lace to create shiny contrasting bands and liquid body in garter stitch. a bit more subtle but still a standout feature.

to purchase the polypore pattern or read more details, please see the listing in the knitspot pattern shop or in my ravelry pattern shop. please share your progress and photos in our ravelry group or tag us on instagram (@knitspot or @barenakedwools) along the way!

3 thoughts on “polypore—a knit club favorite

  1. I am assuming that Cardigan is now a member of the Knitspot design team! The bracken mushrooms are so intricate and beautiful.

  2. I have gotten so many compliments n my Club Polypore…I’m contemplating another one…maybe for summer knitting after some of the current sweaters finally come off the needles!

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