My maternal grandmother “Cookie” was an amazing woman of many talents. She was a horticulturist, a botanist and a fourth level teacher of Ikenobo Ikebana. She surrounded herself with flowers and blooms of all kinds and prided herself in the gardens she kept throughout her life. She was also an amazing knitter having learned to knit when she was a child. She contributed to the war effort by knitting socks, hats, scarves, and vests and knitted up to the day she died. I didn’t learn to knit until after she was gone and that will always be something I miss. Verdana, a new “Sexy Spines” shawl, was made for her. It is a crescent-shaped shawl which shows off blooming flowers down the center spine and leaves in the knitted-on lace border. The Japanese stitch patterns incorporated into this shawl are a nod to Cookie’s love for Ikenobo Ikebana, Japanese flower arranging. May you be wrapped in the warmth of good memories as you knit Verdana!

DIFFICULTY:
Adventurous Beginner / Intermediate - the main body of Verdana contains an elaborate lace spine down the back against a stockinette background. A Lateral Braid is an added element for and intended to be a pop of color in the middle of your shawl. The instructions for the Lateral Braid are given via YouTube Tutorial. It is finished with a knitted-on lace edging that mirrors the theme of the overall design. Verdana is a great knit for both experienced lace knitters and adventurous beginners.

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

DIMENSIONS:
The sample measure 18 inches down the center back and 57 inches across the top.

YARDAGE:
From 700 yds - 800 yds of Main Color; (I used about 650 yards in the sample). 20 yards of Contrast Color of your choice (If you want to do the Lateral Braid. You may even wish to do the Braid in the same color as the rest of the shawl too!)