Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Oh, and HELP!!!

If you were gonna knit a lace stole sorta thing, would you rather a half-round, triangle, or rectangle? Anyone? Reasoning on what you prefer?

HELP!

19 comments:

Regenia said...

oooh! Half round. There seem to be so few of them compared to the others!

Walden said...

Half round, easier to wrap oneself in. Not a fan of triangle just because I don't think it is usually flattering.

Donna Lee said...

I like rectangles because they seem more versatile in the way they can be worn.

Unknown said...

I like rectangle because of the versatility that Donna Lee mentioned, but on the other hand I think half-round can be really unique and stunning.

Terby said...

Rectangle. I'm into simple.

Emma M. said...

Another vote for the versatility of rectangles. I like that I could wear one as a scarf as well as a shawl (kind of pashmina style).

Anonymous said...

The last shawl I made for myself was a rectangle - the other shapes are limited.

Rose Red said...

I like rectangles best with edging knitted at same time as main part - more options in the way to wear.

I don't mind triangles but if it is to be a triangle, I like the ones with a sort of trapezoid panel back centre (so doesn't end in a big arrow pointing at your bum) and also slightly angled "wings" so it doesn't fall off your shoulders. Don't want much, hey!

Anonymous said...

Rectangle, with enough in the pattern to keep you interested through the miles of knitting. I made two triangles recently (one to test and one on request) and it gets really hard the wider it gets...plus i don't like the pointy tip.

Bells said...

I'd say half round, because I haven't made one yet and i"m intrigued by them. I like the wrapping potential.

Anonymous said...

Please don't do a triangle. I love them but I don't think they're flattering or practical in most cases. They seem to be made for a particular look and if you don't have it you end up looking either mumsy or strange or both. The only way I think you can wear a triangle and still dress modern and not in dresses is if you knit a little mini shoulder shawl or neckerchief type thing.

I prefer rectangles because they're more versatile and easier for most people to wear. You can wear them as you'd wear a scarf and still get in your lace and lovely without looking like it's a bit much or a bit strange. AND you can wear it wrapped around you like a shawl/stole if you want to keep warm or be dressy. If it's for an evening event or a cocktail party I'd go with rectangle.

The half-round is a good idea (better than triangle) if you're going to be making it for formal occassions like weddings (in my opinion) as I think it usually suits more people's shape better. I think triangle shawls are more suited to much thinner people for some reason...whereas a half-round will suit more people's shapes. Perhaps it's the curves?

However, I far prefer a Faroese shaped shawl for the times when you need to wear a full shawl (like weddings, anniversary dinners, fancy birthdays) as they're easier to stay on. A bride might like to wear one so she can hold her bouquet (though if she wants off the shoulder shawl better a half-round or rectangle). And they offer the same shape at the back as a half-round (which is flattering to most figures, I don't think a zaftig arse like mine needs a big arrow pointing at it) but they have the added ease of wear because of the shoulder 'wings'.

Anyway, my 2p.

Jess said...

I would say half-round if I like it just as a shawl, and triangle if I wanted to bunch it up to wear like a scarf. Rectangle shawls seem boring to wear, and I'm not a fan of the draped on the arm look.

(And I don't think triangular shawls bring attention to one's behind like a lot of people do. I think, if anything, they draw the eye up away from it.)

merel said...

I prefer triangles over rectangles, because triangles are easier to wear: they stay on your shoulders better when you're trying to carry 5+ shopping bags as well, and when I'm going to the pub I wear them with the lower point to the front and then wrapped around my neck a couple of times, like those 'vintage' hipster shawls in the shops now. I think a rectangular scarf looks matronly on me (28 yr grad student), unless I wear them as a scarf. And as I'm a knitter, I already have a gazillion scarfs to wear, so I'm not going to spend an insane number of hours knitting a lace scarf.
I have never tried half round, so I don't know what I think about those, but half round would definitely make your design stand out as there are so little of them around.

Granny's Girls said...

I just finished a triangle...
www.nant-y-gloneedles.blogspot.com
I am 5'3" if that gives you any idea as to size. As much as I am happy with it I think I want a Faroese next they "stay put" better. Like a half round but with shaping.
Love your wit my "Goob" is about to turn 38 how the hell did that happen?? Keep saying it like it is!
Susan

Chris said...

I don't need a big arrow pointing out my large following....so I vote for the half round (very few seen) or the rectangle.

Unknown said...

I prefer rectangles only because you don't have to make so many adjustments to the pattern and are usually pretty basic. I also think, like others, is that they are much more versatile.

But I love the way that half-rounds look but would probably only make it for a special event.

I don't like triangles. They always remind me of pilgrims.

Sarah said...

I prefer rectangles. It is a much more versatile shape. It works just as well for a scark looped loosely around your neck as for a stole/wrap.

roxie said...

I vote for rectangle.
1. None of that fiddly shaping.
2. Dressier.

Triangle shawls do not need to be matronly. Just wear them off-center. (point over one shoulder and swag the ends dashingly across and around to the back.)

Allison said...

Half round - They can cover arms & back without 'toilet dunking' issues (eeeuuww). They tend to stay in place -- and even better if 3/4 round. They are less common and somehow dressier looking (but maybe that's a function of the ones I've seen).

Rectangles are fine for all the reasons already mentioned by others.

Triangles. Two issues: 1) Toilet dunking point as I mentioned. 2) Most seem to be equilateral or tall triangles (name?) which means they will cover one from nape to knee-ish (depending on size) but not necessarily go around one. I'm generally wearing one for a little extra warmth for arms & shoulders - not my backside. The next one I design will be wider at the base with more reasonable side lengths.