This pattern was born in early December when the village was preparing for Christmas. There are paintings as high as a person placed in front of the houses. In these paintings there are a soldier, a dancer and a mouse; characters from the Nutcracker. The shawl takes inspiration from the statues and images of the Nutcracker soldier.

The knitting begins from the top corner. When the intended depth is achieved, the shawl end is shaped with German short rows. Squishy garter stitch stripes alternate with short lace sections, slipped stitch patterns and mosaic knitting. All the patterns use only 1 color per row. The shawl uses DK-weight yarn; it knits up rather quickly and will keep you warm without being too heavy. My sample uses 4 colors, but the pattern works as well with less colors, or more than 4 thus being a great stashbuster.

Finished measurements
One size, wingspan 170 cm / 67” , depth 80 cm /31.5”

Yarn requirements
Decida 100% Merino superwash (100 % Merino, 105 m / 50 g) MC: 2 skeins or 196 m / 214 yds of DK-weight yarn.
C1: 2 skeins or 200 m / 219 yds of DK-weight yarn.
C2: 1 skein or 105 m / 115 yds of DK- weight yarn.
C3: 1 skein or 105 m / 115 yds of DK- weight yarn.
Shown in colors Red (MC), Variegated (C1), White (C2) and Green (C3).
These amounts have a 15% cushion calculated from my sample.
Choose colors that have enough contrast for mosaic knitting and slipped st sections.

Gauge
18 sts x 36 rows = 10 cm /4” in Garter st after blocking.
(NOTE: Gauge is not crucial, but it will affect finished dimensions and yarn consumption.)

Needles
3.75 mm (US 5) - 100 cm /40” circular needles, or as required to obtain gauge.

Notions
1 removable stitch marker, tapestry needle.
Optional: st markers for lace repeats.

The pattern is both charted and written.
The pattern has been professionally tech edited and it has been test knit.

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