December 24th – The Grand Finale: Winter Ashburn!
|
|
Time to read 4 min
The final door of the Advent Calendar opens.
I can hardly believe it – Christmas is almost here! The final days of the year are always something special: filled with anticipation, a bit of reflection, and the desire to close the year with something beautiful. It’s exactly this feeling I want to share with you today as we celebrate the grand finale of my Advent Calendar – with a design that’s especially close to my heart: Winter Ashburn.
This new design is an evolution of my beloved Ashburn shawl, but with a fresh and elegant twist that’s perfect for winter. And there’s a story behind this design – a story that began with a very special yarn.
Holiday Special and Thank You
To treat yourself to something special, today only, enjoy 15% off the Winter Ashburn pattern on Ravelry with the code "celebrate".
And if you want the full cozy experience, use the same code for 10% off the complete kit and all Sayama yarns in the Mairlynd shop.
Happy shopping!
"Winter Ashburn is the perfect shawl to embrace the cold season with elegant coziness – soft, warm, and infused with a hint of winter magic." – Melanie Berg
The Beginning of the Journey
I love Ashburn. It’s one of those designs that will always be something truly special to me. So many people around the world have knitted this shawl, and every time I see a new version, I get as excited as a child. It’s simply wonderful to see how each knitter brings the design to life with their own ideas and colors. Over the years, Ashburn has become a true classic – and for good reason.
What makes Ashburn so special? First, the colors. The combination of bold, complementary tones with the calming gray in the center creates a beautiful balance. The gray gives the colors the space they need, ensuring it doesn’t get too wild. This color choice makes the shawl a real eye-catcher, without feeling overwhelming – vibrant and yet harmonious.
Then there’s the shape. Ashburn is simply perfect to wear. Whether thrown casually over the shoulders or stylishly draped – it always sits just right. It’s so versatile, and you can wear it in many different ways, making it a true favorite in any wardrobe.
And of course, the pattern. It’s such a pleasure to knit and brings a beautiful texture into play. It’s not too complicated, but still has that special something. That’s exactly what makes it a design that you’ll enjoy knitting again and again. It’s the perfect project that feels great for both beginners and experienced knitters alike.
The original Ashburn Shawl
The idea of giving the original Ashburn a wintery, fresh upgrade had been floating around in my mind for a while. I wanted something new that would add a cooler, wintery touch and give the shawl a fresh character.
Then, at the H&H trade fair in Cologne this year, I came across the Sayama yarn by Pascuali. I can hardly put it into words, but when I first held the yarn in my hands, there was that immediate "Wow" feeling. It felt incredibly soft – so wonderfully woolly and yet alive. As I ran my fingers over the strands, I just knew it was the yarn I needed for my new Winter Ashburn. It was as if the yarn itself was already telling me how it would feel in a shawl – light, yet with a depth that makes it special.
Sayama is truly something special
Sayama is incredibly cozy and has a natural lightness that makes the yarn feel incredibly pleasant on the skin. And yet – it has substance, a gentle but firm drape. It gives Winter Ashburn exactly the elegance I was hoping for. The softness and delightful feel of Sayama perfectly capture the essence of a warm, cozy winter without feeling too heavy or bulky.
By the way, you can read all about the story behind the creation of Sayama yarn here on the blog.
So the idea for a Winter Ashburn was clear: A fresh breeze, a different yarn, and new colors. I opted for a cooler color palette – a soft mint and the slightly darker shade of Aloe Vera, which complement each other perfectly. And in the center, just like in the original design, a neutral tone for the perfect balance. It’s wonderful to see how the shawl gained a whole new radiance, while still keeping all the beloved features of the original.
Now, I’d love to know: What are your favorite colors? Which ones would you choose for your Winter Ashburn shawl? Create your dream shawl! Perhaps a delicate combination of rose and gray for an elegant, calm design, or maybe a bold pop of color with vibrant tones like cherry red and orange? You can find all the Sayama colors here in the shop – and remember, today only, use the code "celebrate" for 10% off all Sayama yarn. 💖
Winter Ashburn is truly a dream – it combines elegance and coziness in one shawl. The softness and beautiful drape of Sayama make knitting an absolute pleasure, and the finished shawl is not only warm but also so light and airy that you’ll almost never want to take it off. It’s the perfect project for the cold season, to snuggle up and knit something wonderful.
If you’re eager to knit your own Winter Ashburn, you’ll find the kit here in the shop. But that’s not all! Other kits with the enchanting Sayama yarn are waiting for you, like the Memory Code or the Fellwind shawl – both designs are just as cozy and elegant as Winter Ashburn, and the Sayama yarn makes knitting a true delight. Perfect for anyone who loves the special touch!
Feeling inspired?
I hope the Winter Ashburn has excited you as much as it has me, and maybe now you’re feeling inspired to knit your own shawl. It’s a true feel-good project and the perfect companion for the cold season. With Sayama yarn, it’s guaranteed to be a cozy hit – and maybe even your new favorite piece!
Take a look in the shop and choose your kit, or create your dream color combination. There are so many wonderful possibilities to work with Sayama, whether it’s Winter Ashburn, Memory Code, or Fellwind. I can’t wait to see what you pick!
Warm wishes,
Melanie Berg
Melanie Berg is a knitting designer, author, and an integral part of the international knitting scene.
Knitting Kits in this Blog Post