I have a wool shawl, made in Israel of blue, pink, black &white wools.  I find that on my shoulders, trying to knot it below my neck, it looks awful (on me).  However, when knotted around my hips, it looks elegant.  This is surprising since my hips are pear-shaped (very big).

 I don't own one now, but I have used them in the past. They're quite comfortable, but it depends on what you're doing. If you're just sitting, they stay in place (I never tied them), but you can't do much physically with them on or they slip. They're great for walking.

There are many styles of shrugs, scarves and shawls and lots of in between right now, have you looked at the newer knitting fashions? But you may be like me and not like to wear the funkier ones. :)
 

Gigi:

I am no fashion Diva! I also did not want to knit something that would not stand the test of time.

I know what you mean. Some of the newer fashions I don't mind looking at but I'd feel very uncomfortable wearing them.  

Gigi:

The advantage of knitting shawls is that they use much less yarn than a sweater. They certainly look more elegant.  

They're also easier to knit without any seams to sew, which is a plus for me. Now you've got me thinking. I've been intending to knit a big bulky, warm sweater to wear around here this winter so I can keep the thermostat low without freezing myself. I might just make a warm shawl instead. I warm up when I'm up and around anyway, it's only sitting at this computer or reading or knitting that I get cold.

 Yes, I've knitted in the round, but not a sweater from top down. You'd only have two seams, then? How does that work out? I knitted one from side to side once and that was kind of fun.

I knit socks when I run out of other ideas or don't want to get started on something big or complicated that I'm thinking about. Right now I'm still working on expanding a blanket that I made last year, then I want to figure out how to make a hobo type of bag I saw the pattern for at Annie's Attic, I think. I'm too cheap to buy the pattern, so I'll improvise, it can't be that hard. (Famous last words)

Do you have a list of things you want to knit? I keep a list in my head and sometimes on paper, but the paper kind scares me because it gets pretty long.  

That makes sense, now that you explained it! For some reason, I couldn't get my head wrapped around the idea of a sweater knit without seams. It's the same thing as knitting fingers or thumbs into a glove, is that right? I would be interested in the pattern book, if you could look into it, thank you! It shouldn't be too hard to make adjustments to the patterns to reflect a more relaxed style.

I made hooded sweaters for everyone (well, 7 people) about three years ago and that's the last I've knitted anything that big for other people. I made myself a vest which I didn't like and a sweater which didn't fit the way I wanted it to, so I made a blanket. :) I slip smaller things in between the big projects, but I don't carry my knitting along with me. I should start doing that.  

I did look online everywhere I could think, I looked at Knittingpatterncentral, too, thanks)  but couldn't find a pattern similar enough to that one. I figured out how they made the bottom curve, I think, from looking at some free patterns. With that and some trial and error, I think I can do it. Have you ever had something just grab you and you had to do it?? That's the way this is. I'm not usually very picky and I'm not really much interested in handbags or style, but this one just suits me.