Tough and under demanding, Trachelium caeruleum (Throatwort) is an upright perennial, forming a clump of stems clothed with sharply toothed, lance-shaped dark green leaves. Blooming over a long summer season, small, slightly fragrant, violet-blue flowers held in large domed clusters appear above the foliage (Lake Michigan Trachelium is on the purple spectrum of colors). Rich in nectar, they attract birds and butterflies to the garden and make good cut flowers.

This shawl is a relaxing knit with an easy-to-memorize repeat and is constructed asymmetrically, which allows the knitter to blissfully knit until it’s time to bind off. The squishy garter body allows a meditative zen while the ribbons of straight stitch ruching are just enough to hold interest.