Please note the corrected chart for Pattern II

It’s been just over a year since we’ve been confronted with Coronavirus and all its complications. One thing we’ve learned in this time is that crafting together has helped lessen some of the loneliness many of us have felt through this pandemic. Riverside Yarns in Owen Sound is hosting a Coronavirus Smackdown KAL in April and May, which you can follow on their group page here--Riverside Yarns. On five consecutive Thursday evenings, starting April 15, at 7:00 pm (EDT), meet on Zoom with the designer and other knitters to learn techniques, share tips and tricks, and show off your progress. Contact josette@riversideyarns.ca for more information and to receive the Zoom invitation.

The Coronavirus Smackdown shawl design symbolizes our collective experience during this global health crisis. The circular eyelet motifs, in yellow, at the top of the shawl represent the novel coronavirus. The multi-coloured mesh, bordered by garter stitch ridges, symbolizes our combined human intervention: individuals’ efforts to self-isolate and maintain social distancing; government and institutional efforts, at all levels, including the work of front-line workers, to keep societies functioning; the scientific efforts to find effective treatments and a vaccine; and the heroic efforts of the medical community to care for patients with COVID-19. The blue lace columns at the bottom of the shawl represent the new social order that will emerge as we come out of the crisis.

Knit the shawl in the original colours, create your own combinations, or use one of the curated collections that Rhichard has assembled. See his yarns at https://rhichard.com/. This shawl design would also be attractive knit in one solid or semi-solid colour.

This is an intermediate project. Skills and techniques include:

• tab cast-on;
• knit and purl;
• yo increase;
• k2tog decrease;
• ssk decrease;
• central double decrease;
• lace bind-off.