In many parts of the desert southwest, monsoon season begins as early as late July, and continues (in good years) through September. Much needed rain comes in afternoon and evening thunderstorms that also bring relief from summer heat.

The sloping lines and eyelets of this asymmetrical shawl evoke the rain and flow of water in monsoon season. This design was also an attempt to create an elegant looking shawl with no purl stitches! Bands of garter stitch alternate with eyelet and drop-stitch lace panels for textural interest. This asymmetrical triangular shawl gets its shape from single decreases along the right edge and double increases along the left edge. Visual interest is given by the notched shape of the decrease side of this shawl.

The Taos Monsoon Shawl can easily be modified for a different number of colors, different yarn weights, and larger sizes. Suggestions are given in the pattern.

Finished size: Size varies with the type of yarn, amount of yarn and needle size used. After blocking

• In Auxanometer, full hank: Depth 15”, Wingspan about 65”
• In Palladio, about 1.7 hanks: Depth 16”, Wingspan about 85”
• In Wonderland Mary Ann, about 125 g of yarn: Depth 13”, Wingspan about 65”

Needles: 24-32” circulars in size 5 or 6, or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge: Unblocked and unstretched in garter stitch with size 6 needles

• Auxanometer, about 17 stitches and 40 rows in 4 inches
• Palladio, about 17 stitches and 44 rows in 4 inches
• Wonderland Mary Ann, about 20 stitches and 44 rows in 4 inches

Yarn & Yardage: Fingering weight yarn; the pieces shown use

• Theodora’s Pearls Auxanometer (100% bamboo) one hank (4 oz/400 yd) in Pink Kimono (light pink and grey)
• Theodora’s Pearls Palladio (merino-cashmere-silk) one hank (4 oz/400 yd) in Halloween (orange/multi)
• Wonderland Mary Ann fingering (merino-nylon) one set of minis (5 oz/590 yd) This pattern can be adapted to DK and worsted weight yarns; you will need to increase the needle size by 1 for DK and by 2 for worsted. For DK and worsted, you may need a second hank of yarn to get a full-size shawl.

Many thanks to my wonderful models Ellen, Caitlyn and Sonrisa!