Countertide is a top-down lace crescent with dynamic zigzags and a playful air.

Reminiscent of waves lapping a foreign shoreline, this shawl is inspired by the longing that comes upon us in the depths of a season of extreme temperature: in winter the urge to pack up and go somewhere warm and sunny, or in summer to flee the baking heat or humidity in favour of the fresh air of the mountains or the crispness of the snow. In the spirit of breaking free this adaptable crescent shawl offers several different directions you can play with.

Options include -

• Wide or narrow stripes of plain knitting between the lace sections.

• Or knit the entire body of the shawl in stockinette or garter and save the lace until last as a delicate edging.

• Infinitely repeatable: make the shawl as large as you wish.

• The edging can be repeated to extend the lace filligree as far as you like, or until you run out of yarn. Bind off on any row.

• Beads if you want them.

Play with two contrasting colours, or try a variegated and a tonal.

Designed to be as fun to knit as it is to wear!

Written and charted.

Pattern rows worked in the right side only.

Adaptable to a wide range of yarn weights, and no gauge required.

French translation thanks to Elegnad and MadlaineYarn of www.planete-laine.com.