Off the Needles - Gryer Shawl
When I'm travelling, I always take a shawl with me. Shawls and wraps come in handy in the evening or during the day if the temperatures drop, they take up very little space and aren't as heavy as carrying a coat. On my trip to Amsterdam, I took with me my Gryer Shawl which I knit in Stolen Stitches Nua Worsted. I wanted this shawl to mirror Isabell Kraemer's original design by using triadic colours. So I chose Cerebellum, Dare You and Chalk & Plum. All warm tones which are usual for me as I usually opt for cooler shades, but I'm pleased with how the colours work together.
Gryer is an easy knitting project, and because it's knit in a worsted weight yarn it's reasonably quick too, I finished this in a week! It's worked mostly in garter stitch which makes for a warm snuggly fabric; there's something quite comforting in garter stitch. Where one colour transitions to another, there are stripes and a pretty band of eyelets. The shawl is finished off with an i-cord cast-off.
If you are looking for a knitting project for an autumnal shawl, I can highly recommend this pattern. If you fancy casting it on in Nua Worsted, I have some colour suggestions for you. Isabell Kraemer's pattern is available to purchase on Ravelry. You need two skeins of each colour, and you'll also need a 4.5mm circular needle or a size to achieve the gauge suggested in the pattern.
Things to do in Amsterdam
- Stephen & Penelope - lovely yarn shop not to be missed
- Houseboat Museum - see first-hand what it's like to live on a houseboat
- Anne Frank House - book online before you go
- Pluk - healthy, tasty food
- Polaberry - sweet treats
- Evening Canal Cruise - see Amsterdam after dark
- Moco Museum - modern and contemporary art
- Rijksmuseum - Dutch art from the middle ages through to the present day
- SkyLounge - the best views of Amsterdam with the added bonus of cocktails!
