There’s something deeply satisfying about finishing a project you adored knitting, and this Barnstable Shawl by Lisa Hannes definitely fits that bill. I recently cast off mine, knit as part of the Malabrigo KAL, using Seis Cabos in Arapey and Natural, and I can already tell this will be a shawl I wear often and forever.
Why Barnstable?
I’ve always been drawn to shawl patterns that balance simplicity with moments of interest — ones that let you knit comfortably while still feeling like you’re building something unique. Barnstable does this beautifully. The mosaic style gives texture and visual pop, but it doesn’t demand hyper-focus every stitch. It’s engaging, but not exhausting.
Because this KAL was tied to Malabrigo’s 20th anniversary, there was a lot of excitement around color combinations, contrast, and new yarns.
The Yarn: Malabrigo Seis Cabos
For this project, I used the Malabrigo KAL Barnstable Shawl Kit in Arapey (a soft blue-gray) and Natural (a creamy off-white). The pairing turned out to be such a calming, classic combo — soft contrast without being too stark.
Seis Cabos itself is a six-ply yarn that knits up into a fabric that’s both sturdy and drapey. The smoothness of the yarn makes the slipped stitches in mosaic knitting really shine. And the best part? Malabrigo’s colors are always stunning, so choosing them was half the fun.
What I Loved (and What Challenged Me)
Loved:
Watching Arapey and Natural play together in the mosaic pattern — the colors made every row feel exciting.
The rhythm of the pattern: relaxing without being boring.
How wearable it is — this isn’t a “just for photos” shawl, it’s something I’ll actually reach for.
Challenges:
Yarn chicken toward the end! I had enough, but I kept double-checking.
Keeping slip-stitch rows neat — easy once you’re in the flow, but it takes a little focus at first.
Tips If You Try It
Pick contrasting colors. Arapey + Natural worked because one is muted color, the other neutral. If you go too close in value, the mosaic might disappear.
Don’t stress gauge. Shawls are forgiving, but you’ll want a balance between drape and structure.
Block generously. The mosaic really opens up after a good block.
Final Thoughts
This knit reminded me how fun it is to choose yarn, play with color, and watch something grow off the needles row by row. If you’ve been thinking about joining a KAL or trying mosaic knitting, the Barnstable Shawl is a wonderful way in.
You can find the kit I used here at Jimmy Beans Wool.
Affiliate / Disclosure Note
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means if you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products and kits I truly love and believe in.