South Bay Shawl

So yesterday I became a shawl person. Mind you, I've been crocheting this shawl for a week, but I didn't know if I'd like it. I just had the yarn and the hook and wanted to try something new. Luckily, I ended up loving it. 

I also love that a shawl is a socially acceptable way to wear a blanket in public. Having a hard day? Wear a shawl. You can snuggle up at your desk and pretend like you're back in bed. 

This shawl is cotton, so it will be perfect to wear sometime in the next few weeks when the heat index finally dips below 100. We're burning up here in Kentucky. Right now, though, I could keep this shawl in my bag to use when I'm out at a restaurant or movie since those places crank the a/c like they're trying to recreate the chill of the arctic. It's so hard to find a comfortable place in the summer here. It's always too hot or too cold. 

I also love the versatility of the shawl. Wear it in the front, back or on the side. Making this shawl, I kept commenting to anyone who would listen that I was not going to be wearing this shawl "like a grandma." I had definite ideas that I would not be mistaken for a little old lady in this. But you know what? I kind of like it just thrown over my shoulders. Those grandmas might be on to something. 

This shawl pattern had enough variety to keep me interested, but not so much that I couldn't memorize the stitches. After the first few rows I could easily work on this without glancing at the pattern, a good quality if you like to craft while doing something else, like watching things on Netflix (oh my, I've been completely sucked in). 

One of my favorite things about this shawl is that the materials were cheap cheap cheap. Last week I bought a big bag of cotton yarn at Goodwill for $3. This cream yarn was maybe a third of the bag, so I'm estimating the cost of the shawl at $1. Not bad. And I have enough lavender cotton yarn to make another shawl. I'm thinking this half-moon shaped one. 

For more details about my South Bay Shawl, click here. 

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I almost forgot I wanted to include some great crochet links:

Sarah London is giving away a free crochet pattern of your choice. All you have to do is leave a comment about your favorite American yarn HERE. 

iCrochet has some serious crochet eye candy. Leave your link there to show off your crochet projects.

The Royal Sisters blog has got a lovely new tutorial up. I can't wait to make some Star Hexagons of my own. 

If you know of any good crochet blogs, be sure to leave them in the comments.