Mas Vida is a simple sideways shawl that is written for 2 skeins of fingering weight yarn but can be knit up in any yarn you choose. My test knitters knit this up with anywhere from 85-385g of yarn, from fingering to aran weight and they each ended up with a gorgeous and wearable shawl.
There isn’t a single purl in the project, and the eyelets are easy to work. Many of you will only need to reference the pattern occasionally once you understand the basic increases and increase repeats and the videos included in the pattern will help you learn how to read your knitting if you’re not as savvy as you’d like at that.
How did this shawl come to be?
I designed this to take along on a European vacation because I couldn’t find a pattern that fully met my requirements which were:
- I wanted something with a bit of interest, but that wouldn’t be too taxing on my brain if I was tired or jet-lagged.
- I didn’t want a project that would be too large. I was traveling with only a carry-on so space was at a premium.
- …but I also didn’t want to run out of knitting either!
Thus, the Mas Vida shawl was born! I cast on and got into the rhythm of it before my trip and with a simple post-it inside my project bag, I traveled across Ireland, Scotland and Spain knitting my way through it. If you travel with a luggage scale you can even weight your yarn and decide when its time to begin your decreases. My test knitters brought their shawls to baseball games, game nights, and out with friends! I hope you’ll find its a great take-along project that results in a very wearable shawl. If we can also get you to use up those couple “special skeins” that have been waiting for just the riiiight project too- then we’ll call it a triple win!
Materials
Yarn: agirlandherwool Sock. 463 yards / 423 meters. 3.53 ounces / 100 grams. Shown in Colorway: Under the Boardwalk. Sample used 160 grams, 740 yards / 676 meters. (Purchase two 100 g skeins of sock weight yarn to knit as written.)
Needles: US 5 / 3.75 mm, 24 in / 60 cm circular, or your preferred needles for knitting flat.
Notions: 2 stitch markers, locking stitch marker (optional) to mark right side, sewing needle and thread, blocking pins, tapestry needle to weave in ends.
Gauge & Size
Gauge: 21 stitches & 28 rows over 4 in / 10 cm in garter after blocking.
Size: 104 in / 264 cm long & 19 in / 48.25 cm deep at the center.
This pattern has been tech edited & test knit so you can knit on with confidence, but if you ever have any questions, don’t hesitate to message me. Pattern also contains links to a few helpful tutorial videos.
About the Name
Mas Vida means “more life.” It is the name of my friend Marta’s sister-in-law’s vineyard that we visited while in Catalonia. I hope this pattern, meant for taking wherever life takes you, is a great travel companion for you. Each moment is precious. Go. Enjoy. Be grateful. Enjoy Mas Vida!
