The Rainier Shawl is inspired by a Chief Joseph Blanket by Pendleton Woolen Mills that has been in my family since before I was born. This shawl is steeped in references to my Pacific Northwest roots. Here’s the story: My parents went to a party on July 4th, 1974 at Commencement Bay, Tacoma, Wa. Even in July, the water was cold. The party of over 100 people were on a large deck off the back of a house overlooking the bay and when the deck fell in the water, so did all the people… mass chaos ensued. A Pendleton ambulance blanket from the Mercy Yellow was wrapped around my dad that night, and the blanket has lived in every home I’ve had since then. Mt. Rainier is the mountain of my childhood in Washington State.

The design is simple, mimicking the woven look of a Pendleton, and the motif is achieved simply by alternating knits and purls. Colors are stranded by holding the main yarn together with mohair. Rainier is an asymmetrical shawl started from the bottom right corner. A non traditional approach to stranding is applied… there is no need to trap floats as mohair is very sticky and can be cut instead of woven in. Use the Coloring Schematic to plan your design… think of this like weaving. The color striping will go across the pattern from side to side. Feel free to switch colors at any moment!

Yardage
Main Yarn: 1040 yards
Mohair: approximately 700 yards (number of colors used is up to you!)