Every day I head to work on a long commute. In the winter it is generally dark when I leave home and dark when I return. My husband and I drive an hour, then I catch the ferry to cross the harbour, and walk the rest of the way to work, and then do it all in reverse at the other end.

Projects like the Marschallin sample garment I knit for Ilga Leja keep me sane on those dark winter days. Keeping my hands busy in traffic (don’t worry I’m not the driver), always a good thing for a nervous passenger. The perfect project on the ferry, I like to watch the scenery and people, and knitting allows that, where reading doesn’t.

You can find more about the Marschallin on Ilga’s blog, or read on for Ilga’s description…

This pattern is part of the Opera Season II Collection.

A lavish, sumptuous shawl reflecting the sensuous music of Richard Strauss’ opera Der Rosenkavalier. It can be worn as a neck wrap or as a capelet.

The stitch pattern is fully reversible and can be worn shown either side.

The pattern includes two versions: the one pictured and an Alternate Version worked in the conventional manner as a rectangular scarf.

All images courtesy of Ilga Leja.