The idea for this “rebellious” lace scarf was inspired by many paths that crossed during my career as a knitwear designer and also as part of my deep interest in Estonia. The yarn for this scarf was handspun in Estonia using wool from traditional Kihnu sheep. My path has crossed Kihnu a number of times, and this unique island holds a special place in my heart. Since I have met a number of textile people in Estonia over the years, I wondered if the spinner and I hadn’t crossed paths at some point. Sure enough, Mathilde Frances Lind and I met at Craft Camp in 2019 in Viljandi, Estonia.

In thinking about this design, the first thing that came to my mind was Miralda’s Scarf from my book Knitted Lace of Estonia (Interweave Press, 2008). I love the shape, size, and the interesting architecture of it. Miralda’s Scarf was inspired by triangular scarves made in Haapsalu, another place my path has crossed frequently. I based the openwork patterns for the scarf on a design in Siiri Reimann’s book, Siiri rätid, Triangular Shawls of Siiri Reimann called Birds of Läänemaa. The patterns Siiri used in this scarf gave me a starting point for my Crossing Paths patterns. And another path was crossed, as Siiri made a present of her original Birds of Läänemaa scarf to me in appreciation for my work about Haapsalu lace. While lacy scarves and shawls are not a traditional item knit on Kihnu, using yarn spun in the traditional Kihnu way for a style of scarf from Haapsalu on the mainland seemed like more paths were crossing for me.

This particular style of triangle is a bit different from most of the shawls and scarves made in Haapsalu, as the lace edge is worked first and the body is continued from it. There is no sewing-on of edges with this style of triangle. While Miralda’s Scarf and this scarf pattern would be considered rebellious by the knitters in Haapsalu, both still have most of the elements of this style of triangle made in Haapsalu today. The especially rebellious part would be the yarn. Usually Haapsalu shawls and scarves are made with thinner yarn (even 1600m in 100g) and most, but not all, are white or a pale color. The yarn for the Crossing Paths Scarf is thicker, making a more “hearty” item. Also, normally scarves made in this style in Haapsalu have a Crab Stitch crochet finish along the top straight edge. I am not fond of the way this stops the stretch across the top, so I omitted it.

Finished measurements
48 inches (122 cm) across top, 36.5 inches (93 cm) up one diagonal side, and 28 inches (71 cm) tip to top.

Materials

• Approximately 570 yards / 520 meters sport weight yarn (2-ply, 100% Kihnu wool, natural gray)
• Size US 6 (4mm) 32 inch (80 cm) circular needle for the cast on
• Size US 2.5 (3mm) 32 inch (80 cm) circular needle for body of scarf
• US 2.5 (3mm) 10 inch (25.5) single point needles for ease of working as piece becomes smaller
• Markers, tapestry needle, coil-less safety pin or removable marker, blocking wires

Gauge
20 sts and 32 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch using smaller needles before blocking.

Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.