Hálfmáni by Hélène Magnússon

Hálfmáni

Knitting
December 2022
Sport (12 wpi) ?
20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches
in garter stitch stretched
US 7 - 4.5 mm
601 yards (550 m)
one size
English French
This pattern is available for €7.00 EUR
buy it now or visit pattern website

Hálfmáni was part of my Icelandic Yarn Club 4 It is now released to the general public as single PDF.

Hálfmáni starts like a typical skakki, a traditional triangular garter stitch shawl that was common to start at the nape of the neck in the Westfjords of Iceland. Those skakkar were traditionally worn crossed over the chest and bound at the back and, paired with long wrist warmers, were the women´s sweaters of those times. They very often had some sort of a simple decoration, stripes, open work or fringes.
Hálfmáni is knitted with one strand of unspun lopi from Feldfé lamb, a very special breed of Icelandic sheep. It follows the same recipe than the skakki in soothing garter stitch, starting with just a few stitches and gradually increasing to create 2 perfectly symmetrical triangles separated by a central line of eyelet. Until all of a sudden, this line splits in two and dramatically changes the shape of the shawl as it continues to grow. The bottom of the shawl is a bit fancier that the common skakki, with its undulating lacy motif and arches at the edge, typical of the more refine Icelandic lace shawls.
The new shape created, more modern, is a large hálfmáni or half-moon, in which you will want to wrap yourself and cuddle. And because it´s knitted with the plötulopi from the special Icelandic Feldfé breed, it will be just as light as it is soft and warm!

Size: one size.
Wingspan at top: 195 cm / 77”
Center depth: 70 cm / 27.5”

Gauge
10 cm / 4” = 20 sts and 26 rows in garter st on 4.5 mm / US6 needle
Check your gauge and if necessary, change needle size to obtain the correct gauge.
Gauge is not essential but will affect the yardage required; you may run out of yarn if your gauge is too loose.

Wool
Any sport/DK such as:
Einrúm E
plötulopi 1 strand (possibly doubled with a lace weight like Love Story)

Shalw shown: Feldfé lopi: pure new wool, 100% Icelandic lambswool from the special Feldfé breed, unspun, plate approx. 110 g = 300 m/328 yds: 2 plates
Yardage used (1 strand): 553 m / 605 yds

Needles: 4.5 mm / US 6 circular needle (suitable for lace with pointy tips) or size to obtain the gauge.
3 mm / US D3 crochet hook for BO (can also be knitted).

Notions: darning needle, optional stitch markers, blocking wires and pins. Towel, pinning board (you can also use a mattress, the back of a sofa, etc…).