My First Hap..... Full Size Hansel Shawl.

Hello my friends, it is a beautiful spring day here in the UK, I hope the sun is shining where you are. I'm back today to tell you about my first Hap shawl that I'm knitting.

I've been interested in Fairisle and Shetland wool since joining in with the Shwook Hat KAL hosted by Melody during Shetland Wool week, last year.

I'd never heard of a Hap Shawl before it was mentioned on the Knit British podcast, I was listening to episode 22 where Louise was talking about the Hap and was thinking of doing a Hap-Along. I was intrigued and wanted to find out more.

Since that episode Louise has done quite a few blog posts on the history and construction of the Hap Shawl and some modern day patterns, it's worth popping over and taking a look. The word Hap means to cover, wrap or keep warm, you can find a brief history on the Hap, here.

The cast on date was the 10th April, I was instantly drawn to the Full Size Hansel by Gudrun Johnston, a traditional Shetland Hap. It starts off with a garter stitch square then picking up the stitches to make a lace border. Louise has written a blog post focusing on Gudrun's Hap patterns here plus other designers.

I bought my yarn ready to cast on, the main colour is a 100% British Wool bought from Woolbothy, up in the Highlands and some Jameison & Smith 2ply jumper weight for the contrast colours. It's 100% Shetland wool, they have an amazing range of colours, I bought mine form the Shetland Wool Brokers.

I'm not sure whether it is just me but I think Shetland wool looks so much nicer in hand wound balls than caked.

There was a Hap Hangout on Friday evening, where we cast on and sent photos to Instagram and Twitter and had a chat on Ravelry which was fun. I'm really enjoying the construction of it which is a new technique to me with the loops at the edge to pick up the border. It's a great project to just pick and put down when you have a few spare minutes.

I'm stil reading Daughter of Catalonia by Jane MacKenzie but have also been reading a knitting book called Heirloom Knitting Skills. I'm linking to Nicole's Keep Calm, Craft On and Ginny's Yarn Along.

Thanks for stopping by and if you are interested in joining in with the Hap-Along, you have plenty time as it doesn't finish until the middle of July.

xxxxDebxxxx