Aaltoileva pattern includes instructions both for a rectangular shawl and a poncho.

The wavy surface of this shawl is reminiscent of the shimmering, wavy sea and the patterns left by waves on the sandy beach. The combination of turquoise and sand color reproduces the colors of a beachy landscape. Aaltoileva is a comfortable warmer for the evening after spending a long day on the beach, but it also brings warm summer memories in the middle of the winter frosts.

Yarn and other materials: Fingering-weight yarn (100 g = 400-425 m) is used, as the pleats increase the thickness of the shawl.

300 g sand-colored yarn, for example Novita Venla, color 606
300 g turquoise yarn. Two slightly different shades of turquoise are used: For example Drops Fabel, color 340 (lighter turquoise at the ends of the shawl; less than 200 g) and color 918 (darker turquoise in the middle of the shawl; just over 100 g)
Contrasting color scrap yarn
Contrasting color sewing thread
Knitting needles (or a circular needle) 3 mm (US 2 1/2) and 3.5 mm (US 4) or others to obtain gauge
Crochet hook 3 mm
Tapestry needle

Gauge: 27 stitches and 34 rows with smaller needles = 10 x 10 cm in stockinette stitch

Shawl size: Width about 44 cm and length about 150 cm. The length of the shawl is easy to adjust to your liking by working more or less pleats than in the instructions.

Poncho: If you sew the end of the shawl to the side of the shawl as shown in the picture beside (more detailed instructions included in the pattern), the result is a poncho. The poncho fits comfortably on persons of many sizes. The poncho has a large neckline that can also be lifted from behind to form a hood. The poncho also fits beautifully so that only one side passes over the shoulder and the other side is below the arm. If you want a more traditional poncho with a smaller neckline, you just need to knit a shorter shawl before sewing it into the shape of a poncho.

It is not difficult. Enjoy the process! The shawl and the poncho may look complicated, but they are actually easy to knit. This is not necessarily the fastest project to finish, though, because it takes time to knit all the pleats. The pattern includes both detailed written instructions and a photo tutorial.

Inspiration: The Aaltoileva poncho was designed for a competition organized by Pori arts and crafts association and the Porilaine newspaper. The aim was to design a knitted item inspired by the most beautiful beach in Finland, the Yyteri beach. My poncho won the competition! My warmest thanks to the organizers!

The Finnish word “aaltoileva” means wavy or undulating. I like the word aaltoileva, when pronounced, as it both sounds and feels like a balmy summer wave.

Please, click the photos open, to see the entire poncho better!