Wow. Just… wow. I released Traveling Woman for free less than a month ago, and since then, it has exploded.
Knitting Pattern Central listed it as the pattern of the week shortly after it came out.
The Beginning Lace Knitters group on Ravelry is doing a KAL for the month of September.
Other groups are doing KALs, and it has raced to the list of the most recently active patterns on Ravelry. In fact, it’s #3 as I type this.
I honestly never expected a simple semi-triangle shawl to cause such a stir. But apparently, there was something about the pattern that really spoke to people. Perhaps it was the customization? Or the simple charts? Either way, it has been a joy to see what has happened with the pattern.
In fact, exactly was I was hoping for happened (aside from the hundreds of WIPs): a community of knitters came together and shared their tips and tricks for working on the shawl.
There are a few things I’ve found while lurking on forum posts, browsing projects, and chatting with knitters.
Here are some of my favorite completed projects on Ravelry, and some great tips from people who have knit the shawl.
Ravelry user sarah1 developed a spreadsheet with stitch counts at the end of each row for the stocking stitch section.
Another knitter (anxandra) completed the entire shawl in garter stitch.
Pandorakick knit the shawl for her daughter, and shortened the stocking stitch section. She also used worsted weight yarn.
SilviaMuc used less than two skeins of Wollmeise Molly and completed a shawl with 3 repeats of chart A. Gorgeous used of worsted weight yarn.
Kaniger maximized her 440 yard skein of laceweight yarn, and able to squeeze out 5 repeats of chart A, and rows 1-15 of chart B. She had some minor yarn drama (running out during bind off – argh!), but the final product is gorgeous.
Julsa made a larger stocking stitch section, and did an additional repeat of chart A, allowing her to wear the shawl as a scarf as well. I may knit another like this!
Needless to say, the projects have motivated me to continue designing, even though I don’t necessarily have the time. I like to knit all of the samples myself because then I know where I need to put in hints and notes.
You’ll be seeing more from me soon!
Welcome to feministy.com, the website of designer Liz Abinante. I like to design fashionable knitwear garments and accessories for women. I also teach. I'm best known for my original shawl pattern, Traveling Woman. I try to design each pattern with multiple options so knitters can use a different yarn, gauge, or needle to create the project of their dreams. 
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{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t know what it is exacly but I love the pattern! The feedback and love is totally deserved!
.-= Eunice’s last blog: Nostalgic musings =-.
so pleased that i can leave a comment. I started this shawl yesterday – I’ve only ever done feather and fan and never worked from a chart before. Both the chart and the written instructions were so clear and easy to follow. I was a bit concerned about the rogue purl and convinced I’d forget it but using it to count on the purl row was as good as a stitch marker and put me right more than once. I’ve just finished the second repeat of chart A and wondering if I can stretch to another one – I still have half a ball left. I’m aiming to finish it by Friday so that my daughter can take it to Paris.