new pattern | six wives shawl
Well, if you know me or you’ve watched my podcast for any length of time, you will already have some idea of the inspiration behind this shawl.
I’ve always wanted to design a shawl with Henry VIII’s six wives as my inspiration. I am obsessed with them.
All of them.
I find each Queen has a story that is compelling, outrageous and more than a little bit sad. And whilst I overwhelmingly feel they were more often ‘victims’ than wives, I have a huge amount of respect for what they had to go through and I’m pleased that they get to live on forever in our minds as individuals who in many ways outshine that spiteful old King.
Each Queen has a personality so different from her counterpart and this is where the idea for the shawl came from, that I could use stripes and colours to represent them, showing how they combine to create a whole story.
I got together with Alison from Biffsugar Yarns and we talked about the Queens and how I perceived them, and this is what I said:
I think Katherine of Aragon was the one true Queen. Serene, golden, long-serving and loyal.
Then enter Anne Boleyn, all wild and fiery, intelligent and sparky with a lot going on.
Jane Seymour, a sweet and gentle character manoeuvred into position by her family.
Anne of Cleves, a truly unique character and Royal in her own right.
Then young Katherine Howard, pretty and innocent to the end.
And finally Katherine Parr, another consistent Queen with a calming personality.
from left to right: Katherine of Aragon, Anne Boleyn, Jane Seymour, Anne of Cleves, Katherine Howard, Katherine Parr
Alison so perfectly captured the essence of the Queens in her dye pots, I was so emotional when I saw them, knowing what and who they represent, I hope you agree.
Katherine of Aragon is the main colour, the 100g skein, of course she is because she was happily married (for the most part) to Henry for over twenty years. I think of her as golden and consistent which is why the colour is tonal and not speckly in any way.
Anne Boleyn, the most notorious Queen who Henry adored for many years (and brexited the country from the catholic faith for) but only married for three years. I see her as sparky, intelligent, witty, bright and always wearing red in my mind.
Jane Seymour, pushed into Henry’s path by her scheming family, Jane was such a calm and happy individual and I always see her as blonde and wearing light colours in contrast to Anne’s dark hair and bold colour preferences.
Anne of Cleves, a total wild-card from the continent, Anne did not know what hit her when she arrived in England. I wanted her colour to be contrasting because she was the only Queen who managed to stay friends with Henry after their divorce, which is pretty amazing when you consider the alternative!
Katherine Howard, was a child bride, a sparkly young thing only 16 to Henry’s 49 when they married so I wanted her colour to reflect her innocence, her childlike qualities.
Katherine Parr, lovely Katherine, another sweet and gentle soul so I wanted her colour also to be tonal and a soothing shade of pink.
If you want to find out more about Henry’s six wives then I can suggest the following books, in particular the book series by Alison Weir, which is amazing.
Book 1 - Six Tudor Queens: Katherine of Aragon by Alison Weir
Book 2 - Six Tudor Queens: Anne Boleyn by Alison Weir
Book 3 - Six Tudor Queens: Jane Seymour by Alison Weir
Book 4 - Six Tudor Queens: Anne of Cleves by Alison Weir
The Six Wives of Henry VIII by Alison Weir.
Six Wives: The Queens of Henry VIII by David Starkey.
The Six Wives of Henry VIII (Women in History) by Antonia Fraser - a particular favourite.
The pattern is a fairly simple narrow shawl design, which makes it really easy to wear. The best thing about it is that when you wear it, the striped section is completely on show and I love that the best.
My Queens!
It’s made entirely from double crochet stitches (single crochet if you are in the US) and works up really quickly, you will be surprised because for ages it seems like it’s going nowhere and then all of a sudden…BAM! And you’re done.
I have also made a second sample, this one is made stash colours so not as impressive but still pretty.
The Six Wives Shawl set is available to buy (limited quantities only) from Alison at Biffsugar Yarns, you can find her shop here and if you buy the shawl set from Alison you will receive a copy of the pattern for free.
You can buy the Six Wives Shawl pattern on Ravelry here for £5* and until the end of November you can buy the pattern with a 50% discount by using the code at the checkout sixwives50.
I hope you enjoy, happy hooking yo!
*plus digital download tax depending on where you live.
