If you’re in the mood for a shawl that’s fun from the very first stitch, Nightshift is a great one to have on your needles. Designed by Andrea Mowry, it uses mosaic knitting to create bold, graphic sections — and the best part is that you’re only ever working with one color at a time. It’s engaging without being complicated, which makes it easy to settle into and really enjoy the process.
For our version, we chose six colors of Malabrigo Rios: Azul Profundo, Zarzamora, Frank Ochre, Hollyhock, Pearl, and Cian. You start with a main background color, then bring in contrast shades one by one. As the shawl grows, the color changes come a little faster, and suddenly you’re watching this beautiful interplay of colors take shape right on your needles.
We went with a darker background so the brighter shades could really stand out, and it gives the whole shawl a nice sense of depth. One detail we especially love is the i-cord edging, which is worked as you knit. It creates a subtle barber-pole effect that neatly frames the shawl and gives it a finished, intentional look without any extra fuss at the end.
What makes Nightshift such a satisfying project is how flexible it is. High contrast or low contrast, bold colors or softer tones — it all works. Every color choice changes the feel just a bit, which makes each version feel personal and unique. It’s a great pattern for playing with color while still feeling guided along the way.
