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Web-Letter, Issue 100 – Soft Linen Shawl It’s hard to believe that this is our 100th web-letter. And it has come at the perfect time—Classic Elite Yarns was recently purchased by Betsy Perry. The company will continue to do business as Classic Elite Yarns, under the LLC of Robertson-Chase Fibers (named for Betsy's two grandmothers). Betsy joined CEY in 2003 as vice president of sales and marketing. Prior to joining the company, Betsy held positions in various corporations, including Humana and the Stride Rite Corporation. She received a degree from Kendall College of Chicago and an MBA from Simmons School of Management in Boston. An avid knitter and needlepointer, she also serves on the Board of Directors of The National Needlearts Association and the Conference Advisory Committee of the industry's trade magazine, Yarn Market News. We at CEY are delighted that Betsy is now at the helm and look forward to her leadership. We’ll continue to benefit from her enthusiasm, insight into the industry, and her readiness to try new things. To celebrate this new chapter in CEY history, Cecily Glowik MacDonald has designed a little something special. Read on.
The Story: I think that handknit items are always the best gifts, shawls and scarves seem particularly so. There is something really special about making a gift for someone that is not only pretty, but can keep them warm as well. So, as a gift from all of us at Classic Elite, I designed a shawl for the company's new owner and long time employee, Betsy Perry. Kristen and I approached Heather with color options and she thought through the shawls that Betsy had made for herself. We decided that a shawl in Soft Linen in the Smokey Rose color would fit well with her wardrobe. I wanted to design something that was uncomplicated, but pretty. I chose to work a simple triangle that is shaped by increasing at the edges and on either side of the center stitch and finished with a lace pattern. As I was searching through stitch books for just the right lace edging, I came upon a herringbone-ish pattern. The way that the zig-zaging eyelets are lined up along side the stockinette stitch portions reminded me of a fringed edge. I thought that this pattern was the perfect simple, pretty, yet not too frilly edging. Visit Cecily's blog and read about her upcoming book. The Yarns: Soft Linen 35% linen, 35% wool, 30% baby alpaca Soft Linen is very versatile yarn.  When knit at a smaller gauge the fabric is smooth and soft and holds its shape beautifully.  When knit at a larger gauge the fabric gains even more drape while keeping its shape. The alpaca component fills in the stitches keeping them from appearing too loose while the linen and wool keep the stitches straight and even.  The 15 available colors of Soft Linen are earthy and sophisticated.	more photos The Pattern: Here is the free downloadable Soft Linen Shawl pattern. If you have difficulty downloading or printing the PDF pattern above, try this: page 1 The Stitches: I don’t think that I will ever cease to be amazed at how pieces using this type of shaping, end up such lovely triangles! On every right side row the shaping is worked by increasing one stitch on each end and one stitch on either side of the center stitch.  The wrong side rows are worked even. When the piece is bound off, the rows form the longest edge of the shawl.  The bound off row then becomes the two shorter sides and the point of the triangle. So fantastic! See how this shawl is shaped.
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If you like the design above, you'll like this too:
	Bridgewater Shawl Pattern available in Made in Brooklyn by Jared Flood. Ravel it.