lace

Mamaku, scientifically known as Cyathea medullaris, is a black tree fern native to New Zealand, that is commonly found in damp gullies across forested areas in the country. While I’ve never been to New Zealand, the lace edging of this shawl really looks like fern fronds. The Mamaku shawl pairs this delightful lace edging with a lovely, relaxing-to-knit textured body.

This shawl is knitted from the top-down in one piece, starting at the neck edge with a garter stitch tab. The instructions for the edging are both charted and written out.

---

Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)

---

Difficulty level

This shawl is worked from the top down, starting with a garter stitch tab. Stitches used include knit, purl, yo, k2tog, skp, kfb, m1l, and m1r increases. This pattern is therefor suitable for the intermediate knitter.

Sizes and finished measurements

Finished dimensions of the sample shawl: 175 cm (68 ¾ inches) and a depth of 85 cm (33 ½ inches), measured after blocking.

Change the size of this shawl by using lighter or heavier yarn and/or working fewer (or more) repeats of the various sections of the shawl. This will, of course, change the amount of yarn needed.

Pattern details

• Mamaku has a gauge of approx. 14 sts / 25 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over body pattern, measured after blocking. Gauge is not critical in this design, but for a look similar to the sample shown, a loose gauge is advised.
• Pattern languages included: English.
• Digital PDF has 4 pages (letter size)

Yarn

554 m (606 yds) / 100 g Ice Yarns Afro Wool (100% wool; 277 m (303 yds) / 50 g) in Black.

Substitute a 2-ply wool (light) fingering to sport weight yarn in a solid or tonal colorway for a similar result.

Materials

• In the sample shawl: Size 4 mm (US 6) / 80 cm (32 inches) circular needles. Use needles appropriate for the yarn chosen.
• 4 stitch markers to indicate the center stitch and the edge stitches.
• Stitch markers to indicate repeats of the lace patterning (optional)
• Yarn needle

The gorgeous color of this kid silk yarn reminded me of the wonderfully bright plumage of the Strawberry Finch, a cute little bird found throughout Asia. What better way to show it off this gorgeous yarn than with all-over lace? Of course, this shawl can also be knit in fingering-weight yarn.

The Strawberry Finch shawl is knitted in lace patterning from the top-down in one piece, starting at the neck edge with a garter tab. The instructions are provided charted and written out.

---

Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)

---

Difficulty level

Patterning in the body of the shawl is on both RS and WS rows. Stitches used include knit, purl, yo, k2tog, skp, purl 1 below, bunny ears yo, and a centered double decrease. This pattern is therefor suitable for the intermediate to advanced knitter.

Sizes and finished measurements

Finished dimensions of the sample shawl: span width of 180 cm (71 inches) along the upper edge and a depth of 78 cm (30 ¾ inches), measured after blocking.

Change the size of the shawl by using heavier or lighter weight yarn and/or working fewer (or more) repeats of the body, the border, or both. This will, of course, change the amount of yarn needed.

Pattern details

• Strawberry Finch is written for a gauge of approx. 11.1 sts / 19.4 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over body pattern, measured after blocking. Gauge is however not critical in this design.
• Pattern languages included: English.
• Digital PDF has 5 pages (letter size)

Yarn

420 m (459 yds) / 50 g WayfaringYarns Sophia (72% brushed superkid mohair, 28% mulberry silk; 420 m (459 yds) / 50 g) in the color “Fuschia”.

This yarn and pattern are also available as a kit from Sweater Sisters!

Substitute any mohair type yarn with a halo of a similar lace weight for a similar result. Of course, this design can also be worked in a regular fingering weight yarn.

Materials

• Size 5 mm (US 6) / 80 cm (32 inches) circular needles were used for the sample shawl. If using fingering weight yarn with less halo, needles in size 4 mm (US 6) are suggested.
• 4 stitch markers to indicate the center and edge stitches.
• Stitch markers to indicate repeats of the lace patterning (optional).
• Yarn needle.

Green Jasper captures all the gorgeous variations found in the semi-precious gemstone. This design is knit sideways on the bias, making a shallow and asymmetrical triangle, perfect for wearing as an elegant scarf. The combination of garter stitch in a variegated hand-dyed yarn and simple lace in a solid/tonal yarn makes it a perfect choice to get the best of both worlds.

The pattern contains both fully written out and charted instructions for the lace section.

---

Pay what you want: (minimum €6.50)

---

Difficulty level

Stitches used include knit, purl, yo, k2tog, skp, kfb and pfb. This pattern is therefor suitable for the intermediate knitter.

Sizes and finished measurements

Finished dimensions of the sample shawl: 192 cm (75 ½ inches) along the upper edge and a depth of 69 cm (27 inches), measured after blocking.

Make the shawl larger by adding more repeats of the garter stitch and/or by working more repeats in the lace section. This will, of course, increase the amount of yarn needed.

Pattern details

• Green Jasper is written for a gauge of approx. 16 sts / 23 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over garter stitch, measured after blocking. Gauge is however not critical in this design.
• Pattern languages included: English.
• Digital PDF has 4 pages (letter size)

Yarn

• C1: 1 skein Sticks & Cups Olympus (100% Bluefaced Leicester; 400 m (437 yds) / 100 g) in “Quebrada de Humahuaca”.
• C2: 1 ball ONION Knit Nettle Sock (70% wool, 30% cellulose; 185 m (202 yds) / 50 g) in 1006 “Green”.

Substitute any variegated fingering weight yarn for C1 and any solid or tonal colored fingering weight yarn for C2 for a similar result.

Materials

• Size 4 mm (US 6) / 80 cm (32 inches) circular needles were used for the sample shawl.
• Removable stitch marker to denote the RS of the shawl (optional)
• Stitch markers to indicate repeats of the lace patterning (optional)
• Yarn needle