Fireside Knitting

As the gift knitting season draws to a close, it's traditional for us all to start planning our "selfish knitting" for the Christmas break. It's finally time to curl up in a comfy chair by the fireside, cast on with some freshly wound yarn, and knit on that indulgent project just for you. Personally I've been eyeing up Jenny's Om Shawl since we photographed it a few week's back. The vibrant colours, the clever design, the generous size and drape - all have been calling to me these past weeks.  Jenny knit her version in Malabrigo Rios, but I'd love to try one in with Debbie Bliss Falkland Aran too. (c) Andrea Mowry - image from Ravelry This versatile pattern can be worn so many ways: a shawl, a poncho, a wrap and a generously oversized cowl.  The designer even models the piece as a boxy cardigan, so the only limit appears to be your creativity (and origami skills!). This design is also right on trend, mixing subtle stitch texture with striking colourwork. Jenny knit hers up fast, as the patterning at each end kept her interest. But she also appreciated the plain "vanilla" section of knitting in the middle - the ideal accompaniment for those box set binges! Jenny also has two top tips for anyone else planning their own Om Shawl:

1. Choose lightweight buttons - as you don't want them to drag on the edges of your piece.
2. Use a smaller needle size than the pattern recommends. Jenny's version was knit on 5.5mm needles. The suggested needle size of 6.5mm needles will produce a fabric that is too loose for many people.

I just have to decide now between these three gorgeous combinations. Which bundle would you choose?  Whichever skeins end up coming home with me, I'm looking forward to a quick, fun and cosy knit to get me through the dark days of winter still to come. And in the meantime I'll just steal Jenny's!