For a long time, I’ve loved the idea of a basic black lace shawl – chic! goes with everything! doesn’t show coffee stains! – but I’ve struggled to knit one without losing my eyesight.

A simple element of a more complex stitch pattern got me thinking: lace doesn’t need to be difficult to be interesting and beautiful. I love the elegant simplicity of these lacy stripes. Since I have introduced some color into my wardrobe, this shawl lets the contrast show through its stripes, making it work with every outfit.

The lace pattern is as simple as you can get – (yo, k2tog) –and it’s always worked in the same place, eliminating the need for counting or markers, and making it very easy to stay on track.

Colour aside, this is an excellent first lace project. It’s also ideal as a travel project: Not so difficult that you really have to focus, and the pattern repeat is very easily memorized. And if you get it done while you’re away, you have a new shawl to wear.

It’s worked on the bias, causing the stripes to fall diagonally, and the resulting fabric drapes beautifully. The shaping places the point slightly off-center, making it more interesting to wear than your average triangle. It’s nice and deep for lots of coverage on chilly days, but wide enough to sit on your shoulders out of the way when you’re just wearing it for style.