Dragons, be they good or evil, are the quintessential fantasy being. Dragons are known for being wise and sometimes helpful, but only after the quester has riddled with them. Some would make the quester solve the riddle before answering the question, while others would answer the question in the form of a riddle. This shawl, with a dragon-scale lace pattern, will keep you warm as you ponder the dragon’s riddle. The scale pattern is a simple repeat with patterning on both sides to keep you on your toes.

NOTES

• Shawl is knitted back and forth in rows from the center neck to the bottom in three sections. Each stockinette stitch side section is increased by one stitch every right-side row; the charts are worked in the center section.
• On wrong-side rows, the last yarnover (4 stitches from end) may be difficult to see because it will be lying over the slipped stitches. To keep the yarn that forms the yarnover and rolls the I-cord at the back of thework, insert the right needle into the yarnover and purl as usual but do not drop stitch from left needle. Bring the tip of the left needle under the left leg of the yarnover so that it is behind the 3 slipped stitches, then drop completed purl stitch from left needle. Move yarn to back and knit the last 3 stitches.
• A circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches. Change to longer circular needle when necessary.
• The I-cord bind-off is worked from left to right with the right side facing and incorporates short-rows in the center lace section to complete the last row of scales. All bind-off stitches in the shawl use the I-cord bind-off (see Stitch Guide).
• Slip all stitches purlwise (pwise) with yarn in front (wyf) unless otherwise indicated.
• Correct gauge is not critical for this project, but your final measurements and yardage requirements may vary if your gauge is different.