Shawls were big in the DIY 60s and 70s – they had the benefit of being considered both stylish and not too terribly difficult to create. Indeed, a shawl is more-or-less a big scarf, and everybody knows you start with the scarf when you learn to crochet, macrame and knit.
As you can see, they came in all shapes and sizes. When does a shawl suddenly stop being a shawl and become a tabard, poncho, afghan or cape? For the purposes of this article, let’s forgo the semantics and call all “shawl-like” creations “shawls”.
Now, let the shawling begin!
Where I come from, “Gypsy Shag” has a very different meaning. I’m just sayin’.
Bottom Right: There’s nothing more terrifying than a shawled cougar. She will rock your world and leave you quivering in her shawl.
Ah, the knit poncho. The shawl’s obnoxious cousin.
Of course, under the right circumstances, a shawl could be super hot. Such is the varied nature of the multi-faceted shawl.
It’s creations like this which gave the shawl its bad reputation in the following decades. Seeing this, you can come to understand the anti-shawl movement of the 1980s.
As I said earlier, the shawl was the go-to for the novice knitter. I recall making a macrame planter in grade school that wasn’t that far off from this shawl.
Shawl saturation levels reached.
Is it just me, or does it look as though, if we wait around for a few more minutes, these two might start making out?
Okay, now I know I’m not imagining things. These Shawl Sirens are not the inhibited type.
All these creations should come bedecked with bells to announce the approaching shawl.
Ye Gods! In a perfect world, only superheroes and magicians should be allowed capes. No exceptions.
Wow. Is there such thing as Shawl Porn? There should be.
… and this is exactly how Shawl Porn should start.
“Youcantoo” crochet: when applied to shawls, also known as the “Evenaretardcan” crochet.
Is she naked underneath? Only the shawl knows.
I could have sworn I distinctly said “no capes”.
To look upon the pineapple shawl is to be hypnotized by the essence of beauty.
The Cult of Shawl
We have much to learn from the shawl, but it’s time to bid farewell. May the shawl be with you always.
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