Have you ever heard of a sontag? It’s a historical women’s shawl that was worn wrapped around the body and tied at the waist to keep the arms free for work. It was probably in widespread use before the American Civil War, but that’s about when it started showing up in ladies’ catalogs and knitting magazines.
I just finished crocheting one using six skeins of yarn; my biggest project to date! This is a wool and cotton blend that I got on sale from the big craft store in November. The color is called arrowroot and it’s a lovely deep yellow ocre. I spent the winter crocheting half-double-crochets in front of the TV or while on vacation in Iceland.
While we were in Iceland there was a woman at the Open-Air Museum wearing one, and I bothered her to examine the shape and transitions of her garment which was knit, not crochet, but still inspiring to see. I see myself wearing this sontag either in full garb and skirt or in sweatpants at my computer. Versatile and timeless, right?
Please admire how even all of my stitches are.
