Wool & Cottage

Jaunty Shawl by Andrea Mowry: The Perfect Mindful, Memorize-and-Go Knit

Molly Grimm

There are projects you knit for the challenge.

And then there are projects you knit because your brain needs something steady.

The Jaunty Shawl falls firmly into the second category.

This is the kind of project you can memorize quickly and take anywhere — a true take-along knit. Once you understand the rhythm, it becomes less about “figuring it out” and more about simply counting rows. Minimal thinking. Maximum flow.

Sometimes that’s exactly what you want from your knitting.

Why I Loved This Knit

The construction is straightforward, intuitive, and incredibly approachable. After the first section or two, I didn’t need to reference the pattern much at all. It became:

Knit.

Count.

Repeat.

Relax.

If you love mindful knitting — where repetition builds focus and steadiness — this project delivers. There’s enough interest to keep it from feeling dull, but not so much complexity that it pulls you out of that calm, rhythmic state.

It’s a beautiful balance.

Yarn Details (And a Yarn Chicken Story)

I knit mine in:

Plucky Knitter Legacy Sport Weight

Colorway: Boom Chicka Boom (now discontinued)

This yarn has such a lovely feel — structured but soft, with that classic sport-weight drape that makes shawls wearable without feeling bulky.

And yes… I played yarn chicken.

And yes… I lost.

I was so close to the end that I convinced myself I could make it. I could not. I ended up ordering more yarn to finish the final section — which, thankfully, worked out.

If you’re planning this project, I’d recommend giving yourself a little extra cushion. Especially if you knit on the looser side or want to fully enjoy the experience without watching your yardage every row.

A True Community Favorite

I know so many knitters who have made the Jaunty Shawl — and loved it. It’s one of those patterns that feels almost universal in its appeal.

It works for:

Confident beginners ready for their first shawl

Intermediate knitters wanting a relaxing knit

Experienced knitters needing a low-pressure project between more technical pieces

It’s engaging without being demanding.

And that’s a rare thing.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a project you can:

Memorize quickly

Knit while traveling

Bring to social knitting

Or simply sink into at the end of the day

The Jaunty Shawl is a wonderful choice.

Sometimes the most satisfying knits aren’t the most complex.

They’re the ones that let you settle in, count your rows, and simply enjoy the rhythm.

And this one does exactly that!