Hello, my sweet friend! This week, I have three special treats to share with you. The first is a mountain inspired knit shawl called Alpenglow, and I hope you’ll read on to learn all about it, as well as the other goodies I’m going to tell you all about.
Alpenglow was designed by Jennifer Matlock. When asked about this design, Jennifer said, “I love the mountains. There is just something about jagged, rocky peaks that soar into the sky that literally ‘restores my soul.’ I designed this shawl to capture the essence of the mountains at twilight. Each section is created with simple, straightforward patterns. Short rows are used to add streaks of color instead of shaping, yet they’re so easy to work – you don’t even have to pick up the wraps! The mountain-themed center section and border use basic stitches, and their patterns are easily memorized. The instructions are both written and charted.”
This Adventurous Beginner to Intermediate level pattern is for knitters who have made a few projects and are ready to work with more than one color of yarn. Skills/concepts include very simple short rows, changing colors mid-row, basic lace, and carrying non-working yarn up the side.
For the second treat, we have brought back our Limited Edition Yak Merino Sport yarn. This yarn is a heavenly, dreamy blend of 70% Superwash Merino Wool and 30% Yak. It is a warm and resilient yarn with next-to-skin softness and excellent stitch definition with 329 yds/300 m per skein.
The sample shown here was made in four colors: A) Brave, B) Worthy, C) Bold, and D) Imagine. You’ll need one skein of each color. The sample used approximately 1144 yds (1046 m) total – Color A: 329 yds (300 m), Color B: 316 yds (289 m), Color C: 223 yds (204 m), and Color D: 276 yds (252 m).
Be sure to order all you need for your project because once these colors are gone, they are gone!
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- Brave
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- Worthy
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- Bold
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- Imagine
We made a video demonstrating the Double Chain (Chinese Waitress) CO, BO, how to change colors in the middle of a row, and how to slip/wrap and turn for the short rows. Be sure to take a look!
The pattern contains written instructions, charts, and a schematic.
Download Alpenglow today! We hope you LOVE it!! Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Finally, we’re hosting a 2023 Summer Knit Along (KAL) Challenge on Ravelry featuring the Alpenglow pattern. The KAL will run from July 1 to September 30, 2023. Click HERE to learn more and join in on all the fun! We will have OODLES and BOODLES of gifts throughout the entire challenge too!
I appreciate you reading, and if you’d love to get brand new, premium knit and crochet patterns weekly, just hop onto our email list there on the site. We list new patterns most Fridays, and many are free for a limited time. I hope to see you there.
Talk to ya soon.
XOXOXO Chandi
Hi Chandra, I’ve never worked with yak yarn before. What other type of yarn is it most similar too? Best regards, Pat
Hi Pat, thank you for this great question. I’m happy to help.
In some ways Yak is similar to Alpaca but probably also Wool and Camel in other ways. So I’d think of it like a mix of the 3 of them. I hope this makes sense and is helpful!
Have a great weekend. – Johanna 💕
I’ve been saving the one yak skein I have! EGADS! However, my fingers tend to luxuriate in soft and gorgeous colors and textures, so I’m thinking I won’t have problems with the yak. And this pattern is absolutely GLORIOUS!!!!! Now, how many points have I accumulated? Goes to sign in and see….
Please have a most excellent weekend everyone!!!
I have never used the Yak yarn but have just finished placing my order for the Yak sport yarn so I can make this shawl and join my first KAL. I’m so nervous…………..yet excited to participate. I hope I can keep up!!!
Hi Chandi! I have never worked with Yak yarn, but am excited to begin this KAL. This is the first time I’ve ordered yarn from Expression Fiber Arts. Your website is beautifully designed to showcase your lovely patterns and yarn. I live in NW Montana near Glacier National Park. Alpenglow perfectly captures the wondrous colors of the area!!
Hi Chandi. I have never worked with Yak yarn. I must admit that I don’t even know if I can get it here in South Africa. I will have to do some research – I am using a local yarn which is a Kid Mohair, Mulberry Silk and Merino wool combination for my Adalia Shawl, but the Yak yarn looks more “woolly” – what would you recommend as similar to Yak. I am trying to rope in two of my friends who are really good knitters (I am not) so that we can do this together. We live in the Eastern Cape and have some stunning mountains around us, and when the Fynbos and Proteas are in bloom the magnificent pinks, purples and browny reds streak the mountains and fields – it is just stunning.
Hi Chandi, Yes, i have worked with yak before with the vellum fingering and love it. My Yak merino sport arrived yesterday and it feels amazing and I cant wait to start Alpenglow.
I am making the Alpenglow shawl, I am up to SRI Row 129, where it states Repeat Row 1 (406). The following row is where I am having trouble, since it does not say follow row 2 I am assuming it means to follow SRJ (WS) but would mean I do not turn after the wrap? What am I suppose to do?
Hi Kathy, thank you for your question. I’m happy to help you with it.
Yes, correct you are supposed to follow SRJ (WS) after repeating Row 1. The way I understand it you work Row 1 all the way to the end, so the turn is implied there and then continue with the SRJ (WS). For SRJ (RS) row you work all the way to the end again (meaning the turn is included again).
I hope this makes sense and is helpful. Please, let me know if you have any further questions. – Johanna 💞