This piece was designed as part of the Progress, Hope and Happiness Collection 2020 - Year 4: Tokyo Bound. I was immediately drawn to Japan as a theme of inspiration, as I had the great fortune to have toured the country while teaching abroad over a decade ago. One of my most treasured souvenirs from that trip is a collection of Japanese stitch dictionaries I bought in the city of Yokohama. The stitch patterns in this design were inspired from these books.

This design is made in two parts: a solid body section created using symmetrical increases and decreases, and a lace pattern worked along the curved side edge of the body. For the small size the lace section is more like an edging; on the larger size it constitutes the majority of the shawl. The pattern can be worked all in one colour, or with the body in one colour and the lace in another. The herringbone dc stitch used in the main body yields an interesting texture suited to both solid or variegated colourways. Written instructions for both sizes as well as suggestions for other modifications are included in this pattern, there is also an abbreviated stitch chart for the main body.

You will need just a single skein of fingering weight yarn to make the smaller scarf size, or you can use 2 or more skeins to make a larger shawl.

Stitches used: herringbone dc (plus increases and decreases), ch, sc, dc, and tr. If you are unfamiliar with the herringbone dc stitch I have provided some simple written instructions as well as links to instructional videos I found on YouTube.

Please visit the Happiness Make-a-Long Ravelry group for details on this year’s MAL, which includes a number of prize giveaways!

Stitch charts created by Denise Lavoie (Deniseworld)
Thank you to my awesome pattern testers: wollieland, icanhasmohair, ftmhling, MopsSina and moazito!