Inspired by the Malabrigo colorway ‘Persia’, this crescent-shaped shawl boasts elements and motifs of historic Persian pottery dating back many centuries. The body of the shawl is easily knit in garter allowing you to appreciate the deep blue-green and turquoise colors that began to be used in Persian pottery as early as the 11th century. The history continues with the four rows of eyelets representing the four major regions in Persia where pottery was produced during this time period. The knitted-on lace edging is reminiscent of the dramatic mosaic tiles still produced today in that part of the world. Come back in time with me to appreciate some of the colors and textures of a long ago and faraway world!

This shawl is knit top down with increases on both sides to create its crescent shape. When the body is finished, the stitches for the Mosaic Tiles lace edging are cast on using a knitted CO. The border is knit back and forth joining the last stitch of every RS row together with a stitch from the main body.

Finished Dimensions - The first original Persian Crescent Shawl measures 17 inches down the center back and 48 inches from the bottom of the center back to the tips. This shawl can be made bigger (or smaller) by making the garter stitch section longer (or shorter). Please note: making the shawl larger will increase the requirements of yarn needed to finish the project.

Images of the pottery are from the collection of the California Academy of Sciences and are used with their written consent. Additional information on the subject can be found at their website at http://researcharchive.calacademy.org/research/anthropolo...