Using up your stash

I've been cleaning up my bedroom and came across a few odd skeins of fingering weight yarn. I didn't purchase them with anything in mind. Just liked the colours. I have a feeling there are some of you out there that have the same thing happening at your house. What are you going to do with them?

Take a look at the Hue and Value Shawl by Anne Blayney. The pattern is available on Ravelry. Anne is from Waterloo and is very active in the Kitchener-Waterloo Knitter's Guild. She's sort of kind of related to the store as well - kind of like a 3rd or 4th cousin. She is married to Jane's nephew.

Hue and Value is a pretty way to experiment with simple stitch patterns and textures, and to let two coordinating yarns play and mingle with each other. Choose two yarns with similar shades for a subtle effect, or choose contrasting colours for more punch. Work the shawl as written, or make it larger or smaller by adding or eliminating sections. 

The shawl is worked with two yarns, but there’s no stranded colourwork involved -- all of the textural effects are created with simple striping and slipped stitches, plus a little dash of mesh lace. The bind-off is done with applied i-cord for a tidy edge.

I showed the shawl on Facebook earlier today. Anne posted

Hey, I recognize that shawl! I should note that I've seen folks work it with more variegated yarns (best with one solid and one variegated), and even with long-colour-change yarns like Noro or Kauni, and it looks fantastic. Thanks Julie for promoting your local designers! 

In case you want an excuse to buy new yarn...

...the new colours of Mrs. Crosby will make a great accent in the shawl.