The Mrs. Blacksmith Shawl is a contemporary version of a Danish tie shawl from the second half of the 19 th century. The original shawl was made by Karen Marie Møller (1841-1921) who was the wife of the blacksmith Jens Peter (1840-1925). They lived in the central part of mainland Denmark, and the original shawl is now part of the collection of the Textile Museum in Herning, Denmark.

The original shawl was made by casting on a large number of stitches, then decreasing to a handful of stitches for the neck. The edge, worked separately, was sewn on. This was the method used by the knitters of the time, since they only had access to rather short needles.

Since we now have circular needles, this pattern does not copy the method used for the original shawl. Instead, the shawl is worked from the neck out with increases, and the edge is knitted on without binding off all the stitches first.

The size is highly adaptable. The pattern gives examples of sizes, but it is easy to make a larger or smaller shawl.

The shawl is shown in Rauma Finull, but many other yarns of similar weight would work. Light fingering to sport weigh will give a thinner or thicker fabric.

Gauge: Garter stitch using a 3.5 mm (US 4) needle: 20 sts x 20 rounds = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches). The shawl can easily be worked in another gauge, keeping in mind that yarn use will change.

Pattern is tech edited and test knitted.