When a loved one dies, we do not say “Rest in Peace”. The Jewish phrase is “May their memory be a blessing”.

Memory is a vital part of Judaism. Keeping traditions of ancestors reaching back into Biblical days. Holding onto prayers and songs and melodies from the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Naming our children with the names or initials of loved ones who have left us far too soon (it is always too soon). Memory is how we survive as a people.

Memory is the running thread through our lives, carrying us back to ancient times, or to just last year. It is both the joy of happy times and holidays, spending time with family and friends, but also the bitter memories of the struggle of life, trying to simply live our lives but constantly having to hide in fear of persecution. Memory is not always pleasant but is always important.

Memory makes us who we are, reminds us of who we were, and brings us hope for who we could be.

Zikaron is a large triangle shawl knit sideways from point to point. The top edge is graced with a simple cable panel and garter border, and the entirety of the body is knit in garter stitch, giving a large, soft, squishy shawl to wrap yourself in. Garter stitch gives the knitter a chance to focus on the memory that they are wanting to put into the shawl, while the cable panel is a way of grounding the knitter back into the present.

Designed for a fade of 400g of 4ply/fingering yarn, this can be easily adapted to fit any amount of yarn you wish to use, suitable also for scraps or even advent collections. Approach with a specific colour palette in mind, or go wild. These are your memories, after all. How you choose to hold onto them is up to you.

Tools and notions
Gauge: Gauge is not important for this project. Sample was at 27stsx32 rows for a 4x4 inch/10x10cm square in garter stitch

Needles: 3.75mm (US 5) circular needle with up to 32”/80cm cable

2 removable stitch markers, darning needle

Yarn: Any fingering/4ply weight yarn will do. Largest pattern is written for up to 450g of yarn.

Sample Yarns Used:
Colour A: Elements Merino, 357m/100g. Colourway “Georgia”
Colour B: Dye Candy Silk Yak Fingering, 400m/100g, Colourway “Death’s Door”
Colour C: Red Riding Hood Yarns Suave Sport, 251m/100g, Colourway “Bridget Bishop”
Colour D: Woolmeise Merina, 525m/150g, Colourway “Graue Eminenz”

Skills Used:
Garter stitch, knit, purl, knit increases, knit decreases, cable

A note on Price for all Keshet Fibre Arts patterns. In Jewish Numerology and Traditions, the number 18 is a very significant number. When written out using the Hebrew Alefbet (alphabet), the number 18 appears the same as the word “Chai” (pronounced with a guttural H sound, not Ch like in Channel). Chai is the word “Life” (like the traditional toast “L’Chaim” which means “To Life!” Since the number 18 is so special, when we make gifts to others or almost anything in monetary form, the numeral given is in some way a derivative of the number 18. L’Chaim!

This pattern is copyright Keshet Fibre Arts NZ 2021. You may use this pattern for personal use and for sale items, but please credit Keshet Fibre Arts for the design.