7 Best Clasp Sets For Shawl Closures To Try
Discover the 7 best clasp sets for securing your shawls. This guide reviews top designs to ensure your knitwear stays stylish, elegant, and perfectly in place.
Choosing the right shawl closure is the final, crucial step in completing a project you’ve likely spent dozens of hours crafting. A well-chosen clasp doesn’t just keep your garment secure; it acts as a piece of jewelry that elevates the entire aesthetic of your handiwork. From magnetic wonders to traditional pins, the options can be overwhelming for even the most experienced makers. This guide breaks down the best tools on the market to help you find the perfect match for your fiber and style.
Knitter’s Pride Shawl Pins: Best for Versatility
Knitter’s Pride pins are the workhorses of the knitting world, offering a wide array of styles that cater to almost any project. Whether you are working with a rustic, grabby wool or a slick, drapey silk, these pins generally provide a reliable hold without feeling overly heavy.
The brilliance of these pins lies in their simple, two-piece design. You slide the pin through the fabric and secure it with the backing, which allows you to adjust the tension based on the thickness of your stitches.
If you’re working on a project with a loose, open gauge, these are excellent because they won’t distort the stitch pattern. However, be mindful of the pin thickness; if you are working with extremely fine lace, ensure the pin shaft isn’t so thick that it stretches your delicate loops.
Jul Designs Leather Clasps: Best for Durability
When you’ve invested time into a heavy, cabled shawl, you need a closure that can handle the weight of the fabric. Jul Designs leather clasps are my go-to recommendation for structural integrity and a sophisticated, artisanal look.
These clasps often utilize a screw-in or button-style mechanism that physically connects two points of the shawl. Because they are made from leather, they offer a slight bit of "give" that prevents the fabric from tearing under the weight of the garment.
They are particularly effective for heavy wools like Highland or Corriedale, which have a high crimp and natural "stickiness." While they aren’t as adjustable as a pin, they provide a much higher level of security for all-day wear.
Cocoknits Maker’s Keep: Best Magnetic Closure
The Cocoknits Maker’s Keep is a brilliant innovation for knitters who find traditional pins frustrating to maneuver. Using strong magnets, these closures allow you to secure your shawl without piercing the fiber at all.
This is a game-changer if you are working with luxury fibers like cashmere or angora, where you are terrified of accidentally splitting a ply. You simply place the two magnetic components on either side of the fabric, and they snap together to hold the shawl in place.
The downside is that they are best suited for lighter-weight shawls. If your knit is very heavy or dense, the magnets may slide apart during movement, so save these for your delicate, fingering-weight accessories.
Namaste Interchangeable Pins: Best for Elegance
Namaste pins are designed for the knitter who treats their shawl like a high-end accessory. They often feature clean, minimalist lines and high-quality finishes that don’t compete with the texture of your stitch pattern.
These pins are perfect for shawls featuring complex lace or intricate cables where you want the closure to complement, rather than distract from, the work. They feel substantial in the hand, which gives you confidence that the closure won’t bend or snap while you’re out and about.
My advice is to pair these with yarns that have a smooth, tight twist, such as a high-twist merino. The sleek surface of the pin glides through the fabric easily, ensuring your stitches remain perfectly aligned.
Della Q Canvas Shawl Cuffs: Best Modern Option
Della Q has reimagined the shawl closure by looking toward fashion-forward accessories rather than traditional notions. Their canvas cuffs offer a structured, contemporary look that works beautifully with modern, geometric shawl designs.
These cuffs act more like a bracelet for your fabric, cinching the shawl together in a neat, orderly fashion. They are ideal for knitters who prefer a cleaner silhouette and want to avoid the "dangling" look of a traditional pin.
Because they are made of canvas, they are incredibly durable and won’t snag your yarn. They work best on shawls with a bit of body; if your shawl is extremely light, a cuff might feel a bit bulky.
Lantern Moon Ebony Pins: Best for Delicate Lace
If you’ve spent weeks working on a fine lace shawl, you shouldn’t use a heavy metal pin that ruins the drape. Lantern Moon’s ebony pins are lightweight, smooth, and incredibly gentle on fragile fibers.
The wood has a natural, subtle grip that helps the pin stay in place without needing to be forced through the yarn. This is essential for lace projects where every stitch is carefully placed and blocked to perfection.
Be aware that because they are made of natural wood, they should be handled with care. Avoid leaving them in a cramped project bag where they could be snapped under the weight of your other needles or notions.
HiyaHiya Stainless Steel Clips: Best Value Pick
HiyaHiya is known for precision engineering, and their stainless steel clips are no exception. These are perhaps the most utilitarian choice on this list, offering a no-nonsense, highly secure hold for a very reasonable price.
They are perfect for the knitter who wants to focus on the project rather than the jewelry. The stainless steel is smooth, non-reactive, and unlikely to snag even the most delicate of fibers.
While they may not be the most decorative option, their reliability is unmatched. If you are a "set it and forget it" kind of person, these clips will keep your shawl securely fastened through a long day of errands.
How to Select the Perfect Clasp for Your Shawl
- Consider the Weight: Heavy, wooly shawls need sturdy, fixed-point closures like leather or metal pins.
- Check the Gauge: Open, lacy fabrics require lighter closures to prevent sagging or distortion.
- Fiber Sensitivity: Use magnetic or smooth wooden pins for delicate fibers like silk or mohair to avoid snagging.
- Style Matching: Choose a finish that matches your color palette; cool-toned yarns look best with silver or steel, while warm, earthy tones pop with wood or leather.
Preventing Fabric Damage With Proper Pinning
The most common mistake knitters make is piercing the yarn itself rather than sliding the pin between the stitches. Always aim to pass the pin through the "V" of a stitch or between the loops of a cable.
If you find that your pin is leaving a hole in the fabric, you are likely using a pin that is too thick for your gauge. Try switching to a thinner shaft or a magnetic closure that doesn’t require piercing the fabric at all.
Finally, always remove your shawl pin before storing your garment. Leaving a pin in for long periods can cause the fabric to stretch out of shape at the point of contact.
Essential Tips for Securing Heavy Shawl Knits
Heavy shawls often slide around the shoulders, which can be frustrating. To combat this, look for closures that provide a "grip" or those that can be attached to multiple layers of fabric.
If you are using a pin, try to gather a slightly larger amount of fabric than you think you need. By catching more stitches, you distribute the weight of the shawl across a wider area, which prevents the pin from tearing through the yarn.
Don’t be afraid to use two smaller pins instead of one large one if the shawl is particularly heavy. This balances the weight and keeps the drape of the shawl looking intentional and elegant.
Finding the right shawl closure is a balance between the weight of your yarn, the intricacy of your stitch pattern, and your personal style. Whether you opt for the elegance of ebony or the practicality of stainless steel, the best tool is the one that makes you feel confident and comfortable in your finished piece. Take the time to experiment with different types, and you will soon find the perfect partner for every shawl in your collection. Happy knitting, and may your stitches always stay exactly where you want them.