The inspiration behind this pattern was pioneering aviatrix, Louise Thaden, who won the first Women’s Air Derby (in 1929), and was the first woman to win the Bendix Trophy (in 1936, the first year women could compete against men). Thaden had a wonderful sense of style and frequently wore neckwear. (You can see some great pictures of her on my Louise Thaden Pinterest board here.)

This mostly stockinette shawlette features asymmetry in the garter ridged “stripes”, and in the asymmetrical picot bind off. The design is perfect for a hand dyed yarn, like Mountain Colors Twizzle, because the stitch pattern is subtle enough to let the yarn shine. Keep it a one-skein project by marking off the last 20 yards for the bind off.

To complete the look during the photo shoot, I’m grateful to Michelle’s Assortment for the shawl pins and the Old Rhinebeck Aerodome for the awesome background!

Skills Used
Basic knitting skills: cast on, bind off, knit, purl
Increasing (kfb and yo)
Asymmetrical picot bind off (written instructions included in pattern)

Skill Level
Intermediate

Finished Size
37” (94 cm) wingspan x 15.5” (39.5 cm) spine.

Materials
Mountain Colors Twizzle (85% Merino/15% silk, 3.5 oz/100 g, 250 yd/229 m) – 1 skein Pine Cone, or approximately 250 yd (229 m) in any light worsted weight yarn.

US 9/5.5 mm 40” (100 cm) circular needles, or any size needed to obtain correct gauge.

Yarn needle.

Stitch marker.

Gauge
18 sts in pattern = 4” (10 cm) across when pinned flat but not blocked. (Exact gauge is not critical for this project.)