Hanami Shawl has been inspired by the short but magical time of cherry trees blossoming in spring (Hanami or 花見 in Japanese means ‘flower viewing’ but mainly is referred to cherry blossom viewing and enjoyment in spring). The fleeting beauty of the delicate flowers with almost translucent petals, that bloom so vigorously, covering the bare branches in light pink snow. When you lift your head up and all you see is pink sky, with maybe a petal or two fluttering down to the ground from a too harsh of a wind gust, reminding of the bittersweet, short lived beauty of these blossoms.

It is an asymmetrical shawl worked sideways from a tip to its widest point featuring a budding twigs pattern and delicate lace edge. Short repeats in the lace section divided by main colour offer a great opportunity to use up mini skeins, gradient colourways or leftover yarns.

The pattern has been thoroughly tech edited and test knitted.

The pattern includes written instructions as well as charts.

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate (large pattern repeats, twisted stitches, bobbles, picot bind off)

SIZE: Wingspan (length along the longest edge): 90” (230 cm). Depth: 35” (90 cm)

YARN & YARDAGE: Allison Barnes Yarn Basic Sock 80% superwash merino, 20% nylon; 420 yds (384 m) per 115 gr skein Total of three skeins – 1260 yds (1152 m)
Main Colour: Silver Grey, 840 yds (768 m)
Contrast Colour: Whisper, 396 yds (362 m)
OR
3 ply Fingering/Sock weight yarn in
Main Colour: 840 yds (768 m)
Contrast Colour: 396 yds (362 m)

NEEDLES: US 3 (3.25 mm) circulars with 32” (80 cm) cable
US 4 (3.5 mm) circulars with 32” (80cm) cable (or size to obtain gauge)

GAUGE: 24 sts x 34 rows = 4” (10 cm) in smaller size needles in stockinette after blocking

NOTIONS: Stitch markers, cable needle (optional), tapestry needle, blocking tools

My heartfelt thanks to my tech editor and wonderful test knitters for their time, commitment and valuable feedback. Without your help this pattern couldn’t have happened.