This project idea is a special one! We are thrilled to share the Saugatuck shawl by Michigan-based designer Philine Tucker and created using our very own Bibi Yarns Merino Fingering! We are also incredibly grateful that Philly took some time to share the story behind her design. We hope you enjoy the shawl and the heart behind it!

We love the Saugatuck shawl for many reasons - the versatile shape, colorful stripes, trendy fringe that isn’t too much...and of course the yarn! It is also a pattern that will suit any and all experience levels and is written for a medium or large size wrap. This will be that perfect, goes-with-anything, transitional accessory you’ll reach for again, and again, and again.

But...don’t just take our word for how wonderful it is! We will let Philly share more about her design. 

When I first met the lovely Swaran in her store earlier this year, we started talking yarn and knitting, and it turned out we had a few things in common: having mothers who were very dedicated knitters, having immigrated from another country to the US (Swaran from Northern India, me from Northern Germany), and sharing a love for textiles and yarn. 

When Swaran suggested we'd do a collaboration using her hand-dyed Bibi Yarn in one of my designs, I was immediately excited.

Bibi Yarn comes in colors that are truly extraordinary, bold, bright and rich, and the merino yarn is a dream to work with. It's very soft and yet elastic, with wonderful stitch definition and drape. 

The inspiration for the design of the Saugatuck shawl is a combination of our joint heritage. The Bibi Yarn colors remind me of beautiful Indian dresses, as well as the colors of a Michigan summer, with a rich blue sky and orange lilies in midsummer. 

Saugatuck is a light weight, rectangular shawl. It will protect you on a windy day by the beach or by the dunes in Saugatuck, one of my favorite places in Michigan. It will look just as nice with a flowy dress or a sari. 

Knit lengthwise on a bias with i-cord edges, the construction sounds much more complicated than it actually is! The crisp stockinette background and narrow stripes are modern, yet timeless and make for an interesting knit that is not at all fussy. Using a fingering weight merino wool makes this a perfect project for Summer that will be finished just in time for enjoying the shift into Fall!

If we’ve convinced you to add this beautiful shawl to your queue, the basic information you’d need to get started is below. The easy, slip stitch stripes and icord edges are beginner friendly, but we are happy to help if you haven’t done these types of stitch pattern before! Just give us a call or stop by the shop! You can also follow Philly Tucker on Ravelry or Instagram!

Pattern: Saugatuck
Designer: Philly Tucker
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
Yarn Weight: Fingering
Suggested Yarn: Bibi Yarns Fingering Single Ply (100% Superwash Merino)

Tools Needed: 

• US 5 (3.75mm) needles (or size to obtain gauge)
• Tapestry needle

Techniques Required: 

• Stockinette stitch
• Working flat
• Changing colors
• Slipping stitches
• Icord edges