The Ogham scarf is inspired by the old Celtic hieroglyphic language of Ogham (pronounced Oam or Ome) - the earliest known form of written language in Ireland. It was originally carved onto the corners of standing stone pillars, many of which can still be seen today in Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The carved letters are read from bottom to top. It is a part of Irish heritage that I have always been drawn to (probably partly due to winning a pendant with my name on it in Ogham as a child!)

The Ogham Scarf features the Irish words ‘Le grá’/With love, which repeat three times in total. Charts are provided for the letters L, E, G, R and A, and also a bonus chart for the reversed L, in case you want the scarf to read correctly from the bottom up at both ends of the scarf (and not have a mirrored letter).

The Ogham lines are formed by twisted stitches, cables and/or Vikkel braids. The pattern is worked flat, without shaping: cabling takes place on BOTH sides of the work. The twisted stitches which form the Ogham lettering should be worked twisted on both sides of the work – knit through the back loop on the RS and purled through the back loop on the WS.

The cabling pattern is not complicated, but cabling takes place on both sides of the work: I would consider this a pattern suitable for improving or intermediate knitters, and of medium difficulty.

Notions:
Knitter’s sewing needle/tapestry needle (for weaving in ends)
Cable needle
Stitch markers optional (for marking border, start of cable, etc.)

This shawl highlights the joy of Aran knitting: there is something different to do in each row, which makes it fly along!

Size
70” x 9” (178cm x 23cm)