Pandemic Blues by Dan Lee

Pandemic Blues

by Dan Lee
Knitting
October 2020
Sport (12 wpi) ?
22 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches
in Garter Stitch (unblocked)
US 7 - 4.5 mm
US 10 - 6.0 mm
656 - 766 yards (600 - 700 m)
One size
English
This pattern is available for £6.00 GBP buy it now

Like so many of us, this Coronavirus pandemic has not been an easy ride for me. I quite enjoyed the lockdown and the feeling of chaos that I experienced back in March to June.

Since then, I’ve found myself back in work 5 days a week, constantly having to adapt to new ways of working and trying to support others through these hard times.

My social life has been almost non-existent. Winter is coming.

Last month was a real struggle and I fell into clinical depression. I couldn’t focus on more complicate knitting, so wanted something that was mindless. And of course, garter stitch is perfect for that.

This simple yet elegant shawl is by increasing on every row, but with no need to constantly count stitches - I didn’t bother counting at all. A ruffled edge is then created by picking up stitches along two edges. Perfect mindless knitting for when life feels overbearing.
The end result is a soft, cosy shawl to wrap around and snuggle into.

I used two skeins of ‘Sporty Singles’ from Hedgehog Fibres in a non-repeatable colourway. Feel free to choose alternative yarns of a similar weight. Maybe use one colourway for the garter work, and then another colourway for the ruffled edge, even.

A suitable knit for someone comfortable picking up stitches and increasing with yarn-overs, yet forgiving enough for someone new to the techniques.