Wingspan is a wonderful, versatile knit that even beginners can complete successfully. Knit all in one piece the pattern uses short rows to create the unique shape. This simple design does a great job of showing of variegated or handpainted yarns. It is also a great way to use up various bits of scrap yarn. Because the pattern is so easy to memorize, it makes a good travelling project as well. Best of all – its free! Just download it from Ravelry and away you go.
While the pattern calls for Fingering weight yarn, you could use any weight yarn you wanted. It will change the yardage requirements and/or the finished size, but its a shawl – a variety of different sizes “work” and there is no single right size. In fingering weight, its finished size is about a shawlette or scarf, but if you want it larger, just do more repeats of the pattern. This example is done in Noro Taiyo Sock, whose color changes make for an interesting final result:
Since the Wingspan pattern came out, it has been very popular. Many people have taken the basic pattern and created lovely variations, including stitch patterns, planned color changes, different edgings, and even versions for crochet, tunisian crochet, and loom knitting! My favorite variation is the Lace Wingspan, which uses a different lace stitch pattern for each section of the shawl. This variation offers directions both written out and charted, making it reasonably easy to work through. This example was knitted using Plymouth Select Worsted Merino Superwash:
Like the regular Wingspan, this can be done in any weight yarn. By doing it in worsted weight, the finished shawl is a typical shawl size and can be wrapped around to keep you warmer, which is not really an option with the smaller size generated by using fingering weight yarn. It also means I could leave off the “small” triangles called for in the pattern as the shawl turned out big enough without those additions. I have worn it a few times and it is always noticed by others.
If you are leery of doing “lace”, doing the Lace Wingspan in worsted weight will make it easier as you get to use normal size needles and you can easily see the pattern the stitches are making. Plus, you get to experiment with eight different stitch patterns in one project. If you do not want to be committed to a big lace project, this one changes often enough to keep you interested. Give it a try!
Favorite Things: Yarn and More 