favorite knit

( keeping warm in big sur )

( and keeping warm at work )

do you have a favorite knit? either one you've made or been lucky enough to have made for you? this question was posed to me recently and aside from the tiny baby items i've made over the years,
for my own babies and others, i didn't have to think, this shawl is it. my very favorite. it was made pre ravelry so it wasn't added to my page. after a friend recently asked me for the pattern, it felt right to include it.

when i read the following passage, i felt the same, and i had to make it. it truly is either on me or near me
waiting in my truck or bike basket, much of the time. it's held up well, only needed an occasional brush with a sweater stone to remove pills. (i can see it's needing it now!) :

" this alpaca shawl won't be the quickest knit and it won't be the most riveting knit but it will definitely become one of your most treasured creations. i thought long and hard about adding some fancy stitchwork to the design - it's all stockinette stitch - to make the process of making it more interesting, but frankly, when i buy or make an expensive shawl, i always like it luxurious and simple. that way, i know i'll get a lot of use out of it." suzan mischer

i bought the yarn for this project to take on a trip, thinking it would make good travel knitting. in two thousand seven we drove for almost three weeks and three thousand miles all around the north island of new zealand, and this shawl accompanied me along the way. i was lucky enough to not drive or navigate (thank you chuck and son kyle) so i could look out the window, and knit. in may, when we go to africa, i'm thinking this may be the project to bring. maybe in a darker color?
i am wondering, do you have a favorite knit? and maybe suggestions for an easy take along project, one that will allow for a few weeks knitting, but won't need concentration? i'll be navigating this time!

pattern : huge triangle shawl
book : greetings from knit cafe
ravelry notes : here