Pattern Notes

The written instructions and dimensions are identical across all the Efflorescent shawls, but the motifs and colourways vary between each one. The underlying architecture is based on Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Pi Shawl, founded on the rule of geometry by which as the diameter of a circle doubles, so does its circumference.

Elizabeth Zimmermann’s wonderful fusion of knitting with mathematics has largely been applied to lace designs which have a super-stretchy gauge. Her concept has been adapted here to work with the less-forgiving structure of stranded colourwork. A loose gauge, yarn-overs distributed strategically through each section, and a vigorous blocking produce a semi-circular shawl with garter stitch borders. Efflorescent is worked in the round with a steek that is cut open at the end. The columns of stitches either side of the cut-line are reinforced with back-stitch prior to being cut. After cutting, raw edges are concealed under a decorative ribbon (see Special Techniques).

Sizing Notes

The varying motifs and circular construction make consistent gauge difficult to maintain all the way through every shawl. As a result, although the same gauge was achieved by all sample knitters when working a swatch in the round, the final dimensions of the finished samples are as unique as their makers; size and weight/meterage of yarn used in each shawl are given below as a rough guide to help you calculate how much yarn you’ll need and the dimensions for your finished shawl.

Cherry Blossom 265cm/1041/3” around the finished edge x 74cm/921/8” from neck to wrist

Dandelion 285cm/1121/8” around the finished edge x 90cm/35½” from neck to wrist

Lobelia 224cm/88¼” around the finished edge x 67cm/26” from neck to wrist

Gauge & Needles

28 sts/33.5 rounds to 10cm/4” over colourwork pattern using gauge-size needles. Samples knit with 2.75mm (UK 12/US 2) needles.

Work a swatch in the round. Efflorescent starts with 81 sts and ends with 585 sts: depending on your chosen method for knitting in the round, you may need different lengths of gauge-size needles to
accommodate this expanding diameter. In addition to those used for the colourwork portion of the shawl, larger needles are required for working the stretchy sideways garter-stitch shawl bottom border; sample shawl borders were worked with 3mm (UK 11/US 2½) needles.

Notions

1. 2 stitch markers
2. 2g/10m of smooth waste yarn, similar in weight to your working yarn in a contrasting colour
3. 2.75mm (UK 11-12/US C/2) crochet hook or crochet hook of same size as gauge-size needles
4. A set of blocking wires, foam mat and strong pins for blocking
5. Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
6. 1.6m/63” of decorative ribbon, 1.5-2.5cm/3/5-1” wide
7. Strong cotton sewing thread, in a colour that matches your decorative ribbon
8. Sewing needle for use with cotton thread

Yarn

Samples use Jamieson & Smith 2 ply Jumper Weight in the following shades and quantities:

Cherry Blossom
1 (White) 39g/195m
101 (Pale Pink) 50g/250m
95 (Pink) 39g/195m
96 (Pale Lemon Yellow) 7g/35m
66 (Soft Yellow) 6g/30m
FC47 (Denim Blue) 94g/470m
FC15 (Mid-Blue) 59g/295m
21 (Navy Blue) 39g/195m
14 (Pale Blue) 57g/285m
FC55 (Rich Heathery Dark Red) 13g/65m
122 (Dark Heathery Terracotta) 15g/75m
FC38 (Heathery Terracotta) 14g/70m

Dandelion
1 (Bright White) 25g/125m
23 (Bright Yellow) 40g/200m
27 (Medium Grey) 7g/35m
34 (Dark Green) 23g/115m
54 (Dark Grey) 7g/35m
66 (Soft Yellow) 26g/130m
82 (Darkest Green) 88g/440m
91 (Rich Yellow) 25g/125m
96 (Pale Lemon Yellow) 6g/30m
118 (Mid-Green) 24g/120m
203 (Pale Grey) 5g/25m
FC11 (Grass Green) 56g/280m
FC12 (Earthy Green) 100g/500m
FC24 (Soft Green) 23g/115m
FC62 (Grey Green) 26g/130m

Lobelia
1 (Bright White) 18g/90m
18 (Royal Blue) 9g/45m
20 (Royal Purple) 9g/45m
34 (Dark Green) 25g/125m
43 (Berry Red) 7g/35m
44 (Lilac) 7g/35m
52 (Bright Pink) 13g/65m
82 (Darkest Green) 128g/640m
118 (Mid-Green) 20g/100m
131 (Purple Blue) 7g/35m
141 (Jade) 34g/170m
1280 (Heathery Mint) 43g/215m
FC24 (Soft Green) 16g/80m
FC62 (Grey Green) 41g/205m