Lady Mary's Luckenbooth Shawl by Coryna Blasko

Lady Mary's Luckenbooth Shawl

no longer available from other sources show
Knitting
May 2011
Fingering (14 wpi) ?
23 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette
US 6 - 4.0 mm
900 - 950 yards (823 - 869 m)
one size, 40x152 cm (16x60'')
English
Discontinued. This digital pattern is no longer available online.

What more romantic symbol could you imagine than the Luckenbooth, two hearts entwined, a pledge of love and fidelity. Since its first appearance at the beginning of the 16th century, this love token has been given by friends, lovers, and family to not only show affection but also to offer protection, even against malevolent faeries.

Perhaps the most famous recipient of such a charm was Lady Mary, Queen of Scots, given one by her love, Lord Darnley. The silver or gold charms could be purchased from the Locked Booths, hence the name, near St. Giles Cathedral on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The booths are long gone, but the romance of the symbol lives on in all Scots and in those with Scottish Hearts.

Here the Luckenbooth nestles amongst flowers at one end, rows of Celtic Hearts adorn the other, and gentle lace flows between. The shawl is constructed so that both sets of hearts are right way up when the shawl is draped over the shoulders. Wear this, with love.

Size: 40x152 cm (16x60 in.)
Yarn Requirement: 5 balls (250g) of 4 ply, fingering or sock weight yarn with a total length of 900m (985yds)
Colour shown: RYC Cashsoft 4 ply in no. 442, Forest

I do hope you enjoy this pattern!