The Moirai are the famous three Fates from Greek Mythology. According to legend, the three sisters each had a specific role in determining the fate or destiny of mankind.

Clotho, the youngest, spun the thread of life for her sister – Lachesis – to measure out and determine the length of the thread, while Atropos made the final cut and ended that thread of life when appropriate.

This shawl has three distinct movements and follows a similar sequence: the first movement sets up the rhythm of the body of the shawl and passes it off to the second movement. The second movement echos the first and adds the length to the body of the piece. And the final movement gives a border and a beautiful ending to the whole piece.

This shawl uses knit one below stitches, eyelets, and squishy garter stitch to create lines and textures throughout the piece, while a very simple short row sets up the border for a dramatic finish to the body of the shawl.

There are portions of this shawl that are charted, but are also fully written out for whatever your knitting preferences are!

Size: Sample shown measures: 80 in/ 203 cm along the top edge; 26 in/ 66 cm along the deepest part of the shawl. Shawl size may vary, depending on individual knitter’s gauge, yarns used, and blocking preferences.

Recommended yarn: Fingering weight in a gradient, mini skein pack, or any sort of fade set. Pick colors that flow together and transition seamlessly.

Sample Used: The Unique Sheep Pashmi Gradient Set (80% Merino/10% Cashmere/10% Nylon; 6 coordinating mini skeins – 110 yd/25g of each for a total of 660 yd/ 150 gr of fingering weight yarn) in the color way “Phoenix Rises.”

Yardage: C1-C6: 110 yd/25 grams of each color. Total: 660 yd/ 603m / 150 grams

Needles: One set of US size 5/3.75 mm circular needles in a 32-40” inch/80-100 cm length.

Gauge: 6 sts to the inch in on a US size 5/3.75 mm needle.

Notions: Stitch marker, scissors, and a tapestry needle.

Techniques Used: Short Rows, Eyelets, Knit One Below, simple decreases and increases, knit and purl stitches.

My thanks to Keith for creating the charts for the pattern and to Carolyn and Heike for testing!