Shawl: Fringe or No Fringe?

Ket

I have finished my red blanket shawl! It's heavily cabled and knit in a beautiful sour cherry red (see photo for color).

Anyway... I have finished the shawl body and I am to the point of adding fringe.

Yay Fringe?

Nay Fringe?

I'm torn. The fringe to me really makes the shawl! So 1970s meets Outlander.

And yet... will fringe stylistically age well or feel meh in a few years?

Here are photos of the shawl, both with and without fringe, to help visualize it.

Thank you for holding my hand :]

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4 weeks ago

Dressing

27 replies

Latest reply was from Ket

judy

Veteran

Wow, that's a lovely red, Ket. For me, it would be on the no fringe side, though having said that, the fringe is so fun and playful! It sounds like you love the fringe so I say trust yourself and go for it.

4 weeks ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Yay to fringe. Looks prettier to my eye. Happy Christmas Ket!

4 weeks ago

JAileen

Veteran

Fringe! If it feels dated later, couldn’t it be removed? Another thought: what about a few tassels?

4 weeks ago

Irina

Veteran

Love it with fringe! Beautiful color.

4 weeks ago

Star (Lise)

Veteran

Love the colour. I would go with no fringe, too 70s and can become a bit costume-y for my liking. Like Jaileen I was wondering if you can remove them later if you want to. Plus how well do tassles launder?

4 weeks ago

Ket

Veteran

Judy, thank you for the reminder to trust myself

Jenni, oh thank you! Merry Christmas to you, dear lady! And yes... I do love the fringe

JAileen, the fringe could be removed. The yarn would kind of be wasted because it wouldn't be long enough to use for anything else, but the ring isn't permanent. I have considered tassels too. A happy compromise

Irina, thank you so much I will post photos when it's all finished.

Lise, I do worry about the costume aspect of the fringe, though I absolutely love the idea of fringe regardless. Tassels (and fringe) would launder fine. I handwashing my hand knits, so things wear so much nicer. I am intrigued by tassels...

4 weeks ago

LJP

Veteran

Gorgeous colour ! I’d leave it fringe-less . Fringe can look a little scruffy after awhile if not combed and trimmed etc . I think without the fringe the eye goes to the intricate pattern and fabulous colour .

4 weeks ago

bella

(website)

Veteran

I am a nay. I much prefer the clean and uncluttered look without the fringe, but I am not a very boho person. I think it depends a lot on your personal style. You seem to like it, so go for it!

4 weeks ago

Veteran

You can’t lose, really. It’s lovely! I think it looks a little more like a blanket without and a garment with, but it is awesome either way. I lean toward the fringe myself though. If you’re going for a 70s vibe, the whole concept of whether it is dated seems irrelevant.

4 weeks ago

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, that’s a pretty color and pattern. My preference is for no fringe. Somehow it feels more versatile to me that way, and all the attention is on the lovely pattern — I find the fringe a little distracting.

4 weeks ago

Joyce B

Veteran

You chose a beautiful color for your shawl. You can’t go wrong either way, with or without fringe. It seems to me that the fringe-less shawl is knit a little longer than the fringed one, hence your question, on how to best use the yarn.
From my point if view, no fringe is easier to handle, as it does not get in the way when washing hands, having soup, walking the pups, etc. However, the best shawl is the one that you will wear and enjoy the most. Whatever you decide, you will have a lovely shawl.

4 weeks ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Personally, I vote no fringe. Yet, all good either way, Ket!

Gorgeous colour on you

4 weeks ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Even though fringe is supposedly trending right now, and I like the look of it, yarn fringe tends to get messed up really easily so I have to vote no fringe.

4 weeks ago

Kate

Veteran

What a gorgeous color you chose, Ket.

I vote no to fringe, but that's only because I have a super poison eye for fringed anything. If your heart is with a fringed shawl, go for it.

4 weeks ago

Bijou

Veteran

I am a no fringe vote, but it is beautiful both ways.

4 weeks ago

pirouette

Veteran

Lovely colour and well done for knitting it yourself you are very talented. I am in the no fringe camp fringes are too much going on for my taste.

4 weeks ago

Sisi

Veteran

Another vote for no fringe ( what would you think a minimalist would suggest? ) . But of course, follow your instinct.

4 weeks ago

Jenni NZ

Veteran

Oh dear. So many no-fringe votes! This is not giving me a happy Christmas morning, LOL! I’m reading the forum while waiting for hubby to finish showering!

3 weeks ago

Helen247

Active Member

Fringe is more romantic

3 weeks ago

slim cat

Veteran

I like the fringe - it gives something more special ( adds movement too ) . It is a personal preference - it looks nice both ways.

3 weeks ago

Liz

Veteran

No fringe for me, but what a lovely pattern!

3 weeks ago

Firecracker (Sharan)

Veteran

Fringe!

3 weeks ago

Irina

Veteran

My choice of fringe has been influenced by a shawl I once owned. Mine was with a fringe and could be worn as a poncho, too. I loved it but it was edited out when I got rid of synthetic materials. Still have a photo, though
Whatever you choose, I’m sure it will look lovely.

3 weeks ago

doggeh lover

Active Member

I vote fringe...I love shawls and wear them often. To me, it adds a vibrancy no fringeless item can match. I agree with Cookie that without it brings a blanket vibe, and with it instantly becomes a garment. Your handmade pieces are sooo gorgeous!

3 weeks ago

Ket

Veteran

We were all down with the flu -- of course, over Christmas. Anyway, I'm okay. I think this was the lesser B version, as we were out only days versus several weeks like last March.

Despite the yay/nay ticker up above, Fabbers clearly prefer...

No Fringe

Votes based on comments are 13 No Fringe to 7 Fringe

Jenni, I love that you were on the edge of your seat watching the fringe debate. So was I while catching up on comments hehe

I'm still a bit torn. The fringe feels 70s and even a bit 80s to me. (Anyone remember Crossing Delancey Street, and her fringed shawl worn with the fedora hat--see photo?) However, I do think the fringe is distracting from the color and cable stitch pattern. And fringe can definitely get ratty even with careful cleaning. It can be removed, but then there are scads wasted yarn bits to toss. (Unless someone can creatively use hundreds of 6-8 inch yarn lengths.)

Another factor is I also want to knit a coordinating or matching hat, and the fringe would use up all my yarn.

So... I am leaning toward no fringe too!

I will update you all when the shawl is finished. I had to add some more rows. The shawl wasn't blanket-sized on statuesque me. I'll report back with styled photos soonish.

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3 weeks ago

Helena

Veteran

Since you've decided I'm just chiming in to compliment the colour and your talent as a creator!

3 weeks ago

Ket

Veteran

Thank you so much, Helena!! I very much appreciate your compliments <3

2 weeks ago

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