the back story:

The Gaia hypothesis claims that the earth is a self-regulating system, much like a living, breathing individual. Inspired by the earth mother in Greek mythology, she maintains balance, harmony, and beauty in the earth. Interconnectedness at its very best, the earth connects humankind, the animal kingdom, flora and everything else together -- maybe through dark matter, maybe through something spiritual, but nonetheless, we are all connected.

This shawl is named for this hypothesis and the concept of interconnectedness with the cabling lines that criss-cross over the body of the shawl.

20% of profits from this pattern will be donated to the Rainforest Alliance, an international nonprofit organization that is committed to ensuring biodiversity and sustainable livelihoods. Read more about them here.

This shawl will challenge even the most experienced cable knitters with the many charts and rows. Each row is different from one to the next, and it will be sure to keep your interest from start to finish. The knitting itself isn’t hard, but this pattern does require some concentration for each row.

I recommend working this shawl with as similar gauge as you can to ensure that the sizing and angles will all work out correctly for a lovely finish. Check your row gauge--if it’s not quite the same, you might need more yardage!

Once you purchase the pattern, you have the option to download the charted instructions or the written instructions. The written instructions are long, but don’t be dismayed! Each row is different, so every row is written out for you, and the increase, decrease, and cable sections are all color-coded for a smooth reading experience. The charts are large and may be easier to read on an electronic screen than in printed format.

There’s a document that says READ ME FIRST--truly, read that one first. It’s chock-full of notes about how to knit the shawl, construction tips, and how to follow either the charts or written instructions.

Choose your favorite sock yarn or dk-weight yarn and cast on for an adventure in texture!