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Sonder Yarn Co has prepared yarn kits for both pictured shawl samples. Sample 1 yarn kits can be viewed and puchased HERE . Sample 2 yarn kits can be viewed and purchased HERE

Astera Shawl draws its initial inspiration from the bold and intricate geometrical beauty of layered petals of zinnias - a part of Asteraceae flower family. I love how each layer builds onto the next, creating depth through repetition rather than excess. The contrast between soft curving of petal rows in the pattern and the underlying symmetry of mitered squares gives the design its restrained, quiet elegance. While I am often inspired by plants, I wanted to create a design that is more subtle and timeless in its rendering of natural shapes found in flora, with just a gentle nod to delicate flower shapes.

Astera is a symmetrical, modular construction shawl of a wide, shallow triangular shape, featuring an edge comprised of mitered squares in a slip stitch colourwork, a simple moss stitch body in main colour and a twisted knit stitch ribbing in one of the contrast colours.

For this design I have created 2 samples:
Sample 1 is worked with two yarns held together: a strand of laceweight wool in a single colour and a strand of laceweight mohair silk in three colours alternating throughout the project.
Sample 2 is worked in a single strand of fingering weight yarn in three colours.

The pattern includes full written instructions with supplementary charts and work process illustrations.

TECHNIQUES USED
Mitered squares, grafting, slipped stitches, applied sectional knitting.

SIZE
Sample 1
Wingspan: 96.5” / 245 cm Depth: 25” / 64 cm Ribbing Edge: 55” / 140 cm

Sample 2
Wingspan: 88” / 225 cm Depth: 23.5” / 60 cm Ribbing Edge: 50” / 127 cm

YARN & YARDAGE
Sample 1
MC (laceweight wool): Sonder Yarn Co. Haven (75% Falkland Merino, 12.5% BFL, 12.5% Masham. 711 yds / 650 m, 100g)
MC colourway: Offline, 1422 yds / 1300 m
CCs (laceweight mohair): Sonder Yarn Co. Halo (72% Mohair, 28% Silk. 459 yds / 420 m. 50g)
CC1 colourway: Hibou, 897 yds / 820 m
CC2 colourway: Cirque, 165 yds / 150 m
CC3 colourway: Cathédrale, 250 yds / 220 m

Sample 2
MC and CCs(fingering weight yarn): Sonder Yarn Co. Fleece & Flax (75% Bluefaced Leicester, 25% Linen. 395 m / 432 yds, 100g)
MC colourway: Catnap, 864 yds / 790 m
CC1 colourway: Dirty Weekend, 126 yds / 115 m
CC2 colourway: Under the Duvet, 312 yds / 285 m

NEEDLES
Two US 2.5 (3 mm) dpns, optional, only if you prefer to work small areas of flat knitting with dpns instead of circular needles
Two US 4 (3.5 mm) dpns, preferably with needle stoppers to avoid dropping stitches
One US 2.5 (3 mm) circular needle with 24” (60 cm) cable
One US 2.5 (3 mm) circular needle with 40” (100 cm) cable

GAUGE
27 sts x 36 rows = 4” (10 cm) worked flat in moss (main body) st with US 2.5 (3 mm) needles after wet blocking.

Please note that the needle size is only a suggestion, since the gauge is contingent on your personal knitting tension. However, if your gauge is looser than indicated above (less sts and less rows per 4” / 10 cm), consider going down a needle size.

NOTIONS
removable stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors, blocking tools

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
My sincere appreciation and acknowledgement of the dedicated test knitting team for their generosity, time and skills in helping to elevate the pattern and ensure its clarity: Althea, Bia, Emiko, Hye Weon, Ilze, Jennifer, Kristīne, Merle, Roberta, Sharon, Svitlana, Tina, Vivian, Winnie, Yi Ching.
Naoko for the tech editing.