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A Virus Shawl, a Yarn Room Mess, and a Whole Lot of Chaos

 

Let me just say this right up front: don’t feel sorry for me. I’m not the victim in this story. If anything, I’m the perpetrator. 

You know how sometimes you get an idea that seems great… until you’re ankle-deep in yarn and can’t see your floor? That’s where I’m at. I currently have six (or maybe eight?) WIPs on the hook, videos that need filming, a guest arriving to stay in my yarn room in just a few days, and instead of finishing anything, I tore the entire room apart to "organize."

But the real cherry on top? My yarn from Wool Warehouse (a Mother’s Day gift from my daughter) arrived, and instead of finishing one of those many, many projects I already had going, I did what any reasonable fiber artist would do: I started something brand new.

The Birthday Virus Shawl

With just two weeks until my daughter’s birthday, I decided she needed a handmade virus shawl. Never mind that I’m busy. Never mind the chaos. This had to happen.

I’m using Yarnsmiths Cotton DK in three dreamy colors:

  • Vintage Peach

  • Dusky Peach

  • Peach

They come in 50g balls with about 116 yards each, and I picked up three of each, so I’m working with a little over 900 yards total, plenty for a good-sized summer shawl. And let me tell you, for a basic cotton yarn, this stuff is really nice. Definitely softer than the big box craft cottons we’re used to.

I’m using a 5.5 mm hook because I wanted the shawl to be drapey, soft, and a bit oversized. It’s turning out beautifully, and the virus stitch pattern, a 4-row repeat, is honestly a lot easier than it looks. It’s perfect for adventurous beginners. If you can handle double crochets, chains, and keeping track of where you are, you can absolutely make this.

I’m following a YouTube tutorial from The Snugglery, which I’ll link HERE. I used it for my first virus shawl a few years back, and her instructions just click for me. 

Life, Chaos, and Chai

Of course, because life is like that, everything is happening at once. I’ve got regular videos to film, this new shawl project to finish, and a little behind-the-scenes situation: I’m working with my doctor to schedule a hysterectomy later this summer. I don’t have a date yet, but I’m trying to get ahead on content so I can rest and recover properly when the time comes. (Everyone I’ve talked to has reminded me: take the time, rest!) I'm making sure that taking care of myself is a priority, read this BLOG POST to learn more.

Meanwhile, the shawl is coming along. As of a few days after I started, I was already on the sixth ball of yarn, and it’s reaching that small-shawl/triangle-scarf size. But I’m aiming for oversized and boho, so I’ve still got more rows to go. Also: I attempted to make my own chai tea concentrate while crocheting and… it did not turn out like my daughter’s, but hey, it’s all part of the vibe.

Thrift Store Treasure

Speaking of my daughter, I found her the cutest cottagecore blanket at the thrift store for just $6. It’s knitted, with adorable cross-stitched scenes. There's little houses, a spinning wheel, a wash basin, and more. It’s such a cozy, nostalgic find, and it’s going to a very appreciative home. For more info on thrifting, CLICK HERE.

A Boho Shawl She’ll Love

Fast forward to the end of the project: the virus shawl is finished, and my daughter loved it! She said it looked crisp and clean, adored the muted peach tones, and (to my surprise) her favorite part was the fringe: the part I was most unsure about. I kept it minimal, and I think it was the perfect touch.

This shawl has me so inspired. I’ve already pulled out more yarn from my stash because I want to make more virus shawls for myself. The texture, the flow, the boho energy; it’s everything I love in a wearable project.

My Wool Warehouse Haul

Since this whole project started with my Mother's Day gift certificate, here’s what else I grabbed from Wool Warehouse:

  • Drops Flora – A wool-alpaca blend in tan, teal, and evergreen. Perfect for cozy fall projects.

  • Drops Baby Merino – So squishy and soft! I got it in a beautiful brown.

  • Drops Cotton Merino – A blend that gives me serious southwestern vibes with the color combo I picked. Still deciding on a project for it.

Watch my DROPS YARN PLAYLIST here.

None of this is sponsored, by the way. I'm just sharing what I love. And pro tip: if you shop on Wool Warehouse from the US, make sure to switch to USD using the currency selector so you know what you’re spending.

Watch this YouTube Video!


What’s Next?

This vlog-style post is part of something I want to do more often: documenting bigger projects and sharing the journey. If you enjoyed this, let me know in the comments! I’d love to bring you along for more crochet chaos and inspiration.

Love boho crochet vibes? If oversized shawls, earthy colors, and cozy handmade projects make your heart happy, you’ll feel right at home here. I share even more inspiration, behind-the-scenes updates, and exclusive content with my email subscribers—sometimes even a special video you can’t see anywhere else! Sign up below to join the cozy crew and stay in the loop on all things yarn, fiber, and boho joy. Or READ THIS to get more details!


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