Milkweed Shawl

I know it has been a very, very long time since I've posted, uncharacteristically long, but never fear!  I have neither vanished nor been kidnapped by knitwear-hating elves.  And in fact, I have something beautiful to offer!

Interweave Knits has a pattern of mine in their Fall issue!  It's called the Milkweed Shawl, and the description is as follows:

"With milkweed disappearing and taking the Monarch butterfly with it, there’s no more joyous sight in October than milkweed fluff drifting its way across a field. The Milkweed Shawl is meant to celebrate fall and the ways in which this season of dying is also one of rebirth.”

How grown up and ecologically responsible I sound.  Nary a mention of fairies or ponies anywhere!

The Interweave version is knit using Manos del Uruguay Fino; this is the prototype I knit for myself using Sundara Fingering Silky Merino.  See how I managed to keep it a secret all this time?!?  It was hard.

The shawl features a neckline of netting, resembling the seeds.  It increases at five points; one at each edge, and three radiating sections, causing the shawl to widen quickly, so that it can be worn comfortably either draped around the shoulders, or wrapped as a scarf, which is how I normally wear it.

The second section’s lace pattern resembles the silk pappus (the fluff).  The increases in this section are limited to the edge increases.

The final section is edging that resembles the milkweed pods themselves, a looping leaf-like edging that adds length to the finished shawl. 

Enjoy, everyone!