In the half-light of Europe, the dawning, and falling dusk, the voice that heralds the transition is the blackbird. Sweet, piercing, poignant, carrying clear and light across the pellucid air of a summer’s day. Throw on this lightweight shawl and steal out to listen to the lead choristers of your own locality. Easy to work and wear, like blackbird song this one has the beauty of simplicity and clarity of line.

Sizing
As written produces a medium-large stole 64” x 24 ” /163cmx 61cm. This shawl is easy to resize with fewer or more additional repeats of the stitch pattern in the centre panel.

Yarn requirements:
I used the beautiful Alpaca/Silk/Cashmere Laceweight by Old Maiden Aunt
Lace / 2 ply
70% Alpaca, 20% Silk, 10% Cashmere goat
1189 meters / 100 grams.

Any lace weight yarn with a majority natural fibre content can be substituted, though this may affect the drape and general appearance. You can also use a heavier yarn to make a larger shawl.

Needles/gauge:

I used a 4mm needle, but am a loose knitter. Average knitters might want to start with a 5mm (US 7-8) needle. You want really big needles in comparison to the yarn to make the centre panel open and airy (it will otherwise be more of a textured pattern). Gauge is not critical, though more gauge information is provided in the pattern if you wish to match the sample.

Construction, instructions and techniques
The centre panel of the shawl is knit first. Stitches are then picked up around the shawl (from live sts, held cast on sts and selvedges specifically designed to make this easy) for the border which is worked as an applied border, binding off the shawl as you go. The lace is all patterned on the right side and is all very easy and intuitive.

Pattern is fully charted and has line by line written instructions.