Valley Yarns Charlemont is a fantastic yarn for transitional garments, like the Sequoyah Shawl by Mary Joy Gumayagay.

This generous half circle shawl is worked from the neck down and features bands of stockinette and modified Roman Stripe textured stitches divided by raised garter ridges. Easy increases help to keep the circular shape resulting in a shawl that rests beautifully on the shoulders.

We asked Mary Joy to tell us a bit about herself and her work.

When did you learn to knit?
I learned to knit in 2003, when an injury forced me to stop climbing for a few months. To pass the time I decided to try something crafty.

What prompted you to start designing?
I fell into designing accidentally, when I had a ball of worsted yarn and an urge to make something unique. Pre-Ravelry, it was a challenge to find patterns for a specific weight, or yardage, or project. So I looked through one of Barbara Walker’s Treasury of Knitting Patterns books, found something I liked, and made a leaf lace worsted weight scarf. A fellow knitblogger named Liesel asked me for the directions, and I ended up self-publishing my very first pattern, Liesel.

Give us a glimpse into your design process, where/how do you find inspiration?
I am inspired by experiences, which translate into color and texture, then by necessity, which translate into structure. If a stitch pattern and color are lovely together, I think of what sort of object the combination would be most appropriate as. Lately my inspiration has been the specific physical features––color, texture, shape—of the rock climbing areas I’ve visited, and I am translating that into a series of hat patterns. The Destination Series currently has three: Antalya, St. Leger, and Siurana.

Tell us one of your favorite knit/fiber stories.
I don’t have specific stories… But I’ve met a few climbers who are also knitters; that’s a specific sub-group.

Tell us about the Valley Yarn you worked with?
I worked with Valley Yarns Charlemont, a lovely yarn with enough silk to create a subtle sheen and drape. I particularly adore the jewel tones, but there are enough neutrals to satisfy every knitter.

Charlemont has fantastic drape and shine from the silk, strength and durability from the Polyamide, and the merino keeps it soft and warm. Wrap up this Fall in a beautiful shawl, after spending a bit of your Summer knitting with a yarn that you’ll truly enjoy! Have you worked with Charlemont in the past?