Phases Shawl

Description

“ ‘We must strive to be like the moon.’ An old man in Kabati repeated this sentence often… the adage served to remind people to always be on their best behavior and to be good to others. [S]he said that people complain when there is too much sun and it gets unbearably hot, and also when it rains too much or when it is cold. But, no one grumbles when the moon shines. Everyone becomes happy and appreciates the moon in their own special way. Children
watch their shadows and play in its light, people gather at the square to tell stories and dance through the night. A lot of happy things happen when the moon shines. These are some of the reasons why we should want to be like the moon.” A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier –Ishmael Beah

This pattern is written in 3 sections, each representing a new phase within the monthly cycle of the moon. Represented in texture and color changes and divided by welts, the pattern is meditative to knit; and, when knit with luxury fibers, provides a beautiful accessory for any party, affair or gathering and can be worn as a wrap or a scarf. The welts separate the textures and echo the moon with their circular openings.

PATTERN NOTES: The shawl is worked in one piece, flat, and includes texture stitches and welts. This is a checklist pattern — check boxes are included throughout the pattern for your convenience in keeping track of rows. There are elbow openings in the shawl based on an average women’s shoulder measurement of 16–17” in width; however, the shawl is meant to sit at the elbows, not the shoulder or underarm, so they measure approximately 30” apart with some give at each welt opening. Though circular needles are recommended, long straight needles may be used as the shawl is knit flat.
If using indie-dyed yarns, you may wish to alternate skeins every 2 rows in the center section to avoid skein-to-skein dye issues.

SIZES: One size
FINISHED SIZES: 22” X 80” (56 cm X 203 cm) YARN: Fingering weight in 4 colors, approx. 430 yds each of C1 and C2, 150 yds of C3, and 320 yds of C4.
SAMPLE was knit in Three Irish Girls Adorn Luxe (85% merino, 15% nylon), (430 yds/393 m in 104 g/3.5 oz) in colorways: C1 (one skein): Maleficent; C2 (one skein): Fly me to the Moon; and C3 (one half skein): Prince: When Doves Cry AND Three Irish Girls Shannon Silk Mohair Stellina (63% silk, 23% kid mohair, 14% nylon/stellina), (166 yds/152m in 50 g/1.76 oz) in colorway C4 (two skeins): Cosmos.
GAUGE: 28 stitches and 32 rows per 4”/10 cm (7 sts and 8 rows per 1”/2.5 cm).
NEEDLES: US size 4 (3.5 mm) 24-inch (40 cm) circular needles. US size 6 (4 mm) 24-inch (40 cm) circular needles