Motherstory is inspired by my mother’s lifelong journey. The shawl begins with just five stitches, then steadily grows. Each section is connected by gradual color-changing garter stitch rows, as the phases of life are fluid transitions, each fading into the next. The playful diamond stitch, knit with a colorful variegated yarn, illustrates the whimsy of girlhood. Later, knit stitches are banded together in threes to represent the ties of my mother’s three children; she is tethered to us as we develop, and at times she feels bound by her children’s growth, yet as a whole we form a beautiful symmetry. The intricate elegance of the lace is her middle adulthood, knit in a tonal solid to represent grace and groundedness. Finally, we return to the airy diamond stitch, which now recalls the levity she feels after life’s trials and hardships.

SIZING
Finished wingspan: 75”/ 190cm
Finished depth: 18”/ 45cm
Measurements taken after blocking

COLOR OPTIONS
3 colors (as pictured in samples) or 2 colors

MATERIALS


Yarn:
Qing Fibre Merino Single, fingering weight

C1 (pink): 200yds/ 183m
C2 (dk blue/multi): 180yds/ 165m
C3 (lt blue): 180yds/ 165m

Colorways Bone (C1), Petrichor (C2), and Cactus (C3)

Northbound Knitting BFL/Silk Fingering
Colorways Moonstone (C1), Metallurgy (C2), and Alchemy (C3)

Needles:
US5/3.75mm circular needles, 32-40”/ 80-100cm

Tools:
Cable needle or spare DPN; stitch markers; tapestry needle



Gauge:
22 sts x 32 rows = 4” x 4”/ 10cm x 10cm in garter stitch, after blocking
Lace pattern (16 sts x 44 rows) = 3” w x 6” h, after blocking

SKILLS
Basic increases and decreases, lace knitting