Designed by Padma R.
The Longship Shawl is inspired by the ancient Vikings' ships in which they explored unknown and dangerous seas. Undoubtedly, these courageous seafarers must have developed a unique bond with both ship and ocean. I imagined one such Viking, left behind on land, climbing to the top of a cliff to look out over the ocean. He might have imagined the creaking and billowing of the sails, the splash of oars, the shouts of the men, and the feel of the deck heaving under his feet. Did he long to be back at sea?
Ship and sea make their presence felt throughout this design: cables and twisted stitches produce a dramatic, richly textured fabric. Along the right edge, ocean waves rise and fall on a twisted rib background travelling the length of the shawl, continuing into the border. In the shawl body, diagonal ridges echo the graceful lines of a longship prow seen head-on (as in this image https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gokstad_ship). Thicker cables and eyelet columns indicate the heavy ropes and chains used on board. Short, horizontal garter ridges represent wavelets lapping around the ship's hull.
Sizes: Small, Medium, Large
Finished Measurements: (after blocking and allowing fabric to relax)
Length: 170 (205.5, 241.5) cm / 67 (81,95")
Width at cast off edge: 88.5 (106.5, 125) cm / 34.75 (42, 49.25")
Materials:
Yarn: 4 (5,6) skiens
Needle size: 3.5 mm / US 4, 80 cm/32" circular needles or size needed to achieve gauge
The sample shown in the photos is size Medium and was knit in the colourway Denim 2.
Herlig DK 50% Viking Norway Wool / 50% Merino Wool
250 meters / 273 yards per 100 gram / 3.5 oz skein
Pattern is available as a downloadable PDF at checkout. A link for future download will also be emailed to you with your receipt.