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Perihelion is the point in earth’s orbit where we are closest to the sun.

The Perihelion Shawl is named for the changeable beauty of the surface of our star and is knit from the top down and center out, using the pi formula developed by Elizabeth Zimmerman.

This shawl is recommended for those who already have some experience with two-color brioche. This is a challenging, intricate knit that incorporates a number of advanced techniques. A combination of brioche lace, brioche star stitches, brioche cables, and brioche syncopation are used to create this beautiful original design.

The pattern includes full written instructions and charts. Video technique demonstrations are included for the provisional cast-on and the double-chain bind-off, as well as the brioche decreases, star stitches, and cable stitches.

Finished size
Wingspan: 56 in/142 cm
Center Depth (measured to the center point): 25 in/64 cm

Gauge
24 sts and 24 rows = 4 in/10 cm in the two-color brioche pattern of Section 4.

Gauge is not critical for this shawl but may affect yardage needed to complete the shawl.

Recommended Materials

Yarn
Fingering weight yarn in two colors,
800 yards/730 meters for the light color,
720 yards/660 meters for the dark color

Any fingering weight yarn with good stitch definition and that blocks well should work well for this pattern.

Sample was knit using The Blue Brick Killarney Sock Wooly Mammoth 800 yards/730 meters/200 g (80/20 Superwash Merino/Nylon) in the Wheat Kings colorway for the light color and Salty Blonde Fiber 2-ply Sock 400 yards/365 meters/100 g (80/20 Superwash Merino/Nylon) in the Black Celebration colorway for the dark color.

Although the sample was made using two different bases from two different dyers, effort was made to match wpi, weight and fiber content. In general, it is recommended to use the same base for both the light color and dark color.

If using a gradient yarn, please keep in mind that the sample used 96% of the gradient yarn, which does not give a large margin for error. Extension skeins, if available, are recommended.

Needles
Size US 2/2.75 mm, or size needed to obtain gauge or for a fabric you love. A circular needle format is required for working two-color brioche.

Notions

• scissors
• tapestry needle
• cable needle
• crochet hook if using a crocheted provisional cast-on
• stitch markers may be useful but the interconnected nature of the design requires occasional movement of the stitch markers.

Techniques
provisional cast-on, knit, knit through the back loop, yarnover, slipped stitch, double-chain bind-off
brioche techniques: brioche knit, brioche purl, brioche 2-stitch and 4-stitch increases, brioche left and right 2-stitch decreases, brioche left, right, and centered 4-stitch decreases, brioche left, right, and centered star stitches, brioche left and right crossed stitches

Syncopated techniques include brioche purled 4-stitch increases, brioche purled star stitches, and syncopated crossed stitches.

Pattern has been professionally tech edited and tested.

If you reside within the state of Colorado, USA, you may be charged a sales tax of 4% of the purchase price.