A magical day spent dyeing yarn with the skilled artisans at the Center for Traditional Textiles / Centro de Textiles Traditionales del Cusco in Chinchero, Peru. Bubbling plant-filled dye pots produced seven deep colors. It was hard to decide what to do with such beautiful yarns that would honor such lovely memories.

The Peru Shawl was designed to showcase such special yarns. This design works for mismatched yarns: different colors, different textures, different fibers. In other words, you are free to play—it is impossible to fail! All that’s important is that your fabric has a nice drape.

The Peru Shawl is knit in soothing garter stitch in two pieces that are seamed up the back with a 3-needle I-cord bind off. The front panels of the shawl are long enough to toss one or both over your shoulders; it’s fitted at the back neck to help stay put on your shoulders. It’s big enough to wrap around yourself on a chilly plane or when the fog rolls in, yet it is light and easy to pack. Short rows are used to create a graceful pointed conclusion.