Hamamelis

The Hamamelis or witch-hazel is one of the earliest shrubs to bloom in the spring. In my New Jersey garden this hardy plant will send out its fringe-like flowers as early as late February. These hopeful little flowers bring a smile to my face each year and remind me that despite bitter winds and snow, spring will be on its way. 

(Do you think Sofie might be feeling those bitter winds just a bit in the photo below. What a trooper she is to put up with her mother's constant demands for a model.)

 

The clean lines of the Hamamelis Shawl will easily take us from late winter into spring. Worked in a leaf pattern on a background of garter stitch, Hamameils knits up quickly and showcases beautiful yarns like Hazel Knits Artisan Sock.

I had a group of very quick test knitters on this pattern. A huge thank you to Anne, Alex, Rachel, Cristi & Mary for their hard work, keen eyes and insights.

Check out Cristi's gorgeous Hamamelis. Cristi used Sanguine Gryphon's Bugga Sock yarn. The color actually reminds me a bit of the blooms of the witch-hazel plant.

Hamamelis is worked from the top center out by increasing until you reach the bottom edge. The pattern has both charts and written instructions. The photos all show the medium size which took all but about 10 yards of Hazel Knits Artisan Sock on my brown shawl. Cristi said that she ran out of the Sanguine Gryphon Bugga Sock yarn just shy of the last few rows, but due to the nature of the border, she simply bound off and the shawl looks great as is.

 

The Data

Hamamelis Shawl (on Ravelry)

Sizes: S, M, L
Measurements:  Approx 20 (25, 30)” from top edge to point, 44(54, 64)” across top, blocked
Gauge: 16 sts & 38 rows = 4”(10cm) in garter stitch, blocked
Yarn:  Hazel Knits Artisan Sock, 90% Superwash Merino, 10% Nylon, 400 yds/366m per 4.23 oz/120g skein. Colorway: Equinox, 1 (1, 2) skein (note: for the medium sized sample shawl all but about 10 yards of the yarn were used. It may be helpful to have a second skein or a contrast color available in case you run out. Alternately, due to the nature of the border, the shawl may be bound off earlier with satisfactory results.)
Needles:  US 6/4mm 32” circular needle or size to obtain gauge
Other Materials:  Crochet Hook, 4 Place  Markers, Tapestry Needle, Scrap Yarn

Price $6.00 US

 

Comments

[Allyson]

What a beautiful shawl! I love when garder stitch is pretty, those little leaves are beautiful, and the edging is so fun! Well done.

[Beth]

I have been lurking for a little while and have enjoyed knitting your One Day Beret pattern. But I just had to write to tell you how beautiful this is!!! I don't usually see things that I "have to knit" but that's how I feel about this pattern!

[Carole]

That is fabulous! I love shawl patterns that use sock yarn and this one is truly beautiful!

[Monika]

This is an adorable little shawl! Once again well done!

[turtlegirl76]

I think I might have some Pagewood Farms in the stash that's crying out to be a Hamamelis too. This was such a pleasure to knit!

[chancy]

I seriously love this shawl!

[beverly]

I think this every time you post a new shawl...but this one is REALLY my favorite! So elegant!

[Oiyi]

I am so in love with this!

[Lisaki]

Ooooohhhh! This is so pretty! I have been looking for a shawl pattern to use up some of my large stash of sock yarn, for my Ravelympics project. Was going to do Multnomah but this is much better! It's just the thing. I even have the perfect yarn - some that you dyed with Koolaid a few years ago, soft light greens and blues, not a solid but not highly contrasting either. You gave me several ounces, should be enough even for the large size. What do you think?

[Kim]

Kirstin it's SO pretty!

[GinkgoKnits]

Looks beautiful -- I love the framing of the leaf motifs.

[Anna]

That is one gorgeous shawl! Congratulation on yet another stunning design.

[mai]

what a gorgeous shawl, k! i've added it to my queue.

[Kym]

Just beautiful! :-)

[Debbie]

This is just gorgeous! I love that you named it after an herb that you love to see in the spring.

[Laura]

ZOMG, this is full of gorgeousness!