Inspired by the changing seasons and designed in celebration of the spring and autumn equinox, Meristem is a top-down crescent shawl with a twist - its unusual construction creates a unique and interesting shape with an intricate border.

The shawl’s name, Meristem, comes from plant anatomy; it is defined as a region of cells located at root and shoot tips, capable of division and growth. I thought this scientific term was a perfect description of the lace pattern, which starts with large leaves and then branches into tiny leafy shoots along the bottom edge. The straight lines, from which the lace design develops, are reminiscent not only of growing branches but also of the sunrays peeking through foliage. The large circular eyelets are reminders of the sun’s daily and yearly passage through the sky.

Meristem is designed with six different options to choose from – a large or a small size with many beads, fewer beads, or without beads. There are two options for beading given, but the project will also look great without any beads. Worked in either lace or fingering weight yarn, the lace pattern is simple enough even for a novice lace knitter because it includes only basic stitches and the wrong side rows are all purled. So, choose your options and let Meristem take you on a romantic journey through nature’s growth and transformation.

Yarn:
Large: Any lace or fingering weight yarn, approx 750 – 800 yards
The large lace sample was completed with 750 yards of Madelinetosh Tosh Lace (100% Superwash Merino; 950 yards / 113 grams); color: Amber Tricket
Small: Any lace or fingering weight yarn, approx 430 – 460 yards
The small fingering sample was completed with 430 yards of Knit Picks Stroll (75% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Nylon; 462 yards / 100 grams); color: Springtime Tonal

Gauge:
Lace weight: 25 sts / 32 rows = 4” / 10 cm in stockinette stitch, unblocked, using US 5 / 3.75 mm needles
Fingering: 22 sts / 30 rows = 4” / 10 cm in stockinette stitch, unblocked, using US 6 / 4.00 mm needles

Needles:
Lace: Size US 5 / 3.75mm & US 7 / 4.50mm circular needle, 32” or longer
Fingering: Size US 6 / 4.00mm & US 8 / 5.00mm circular needle, 32” or longer

Beads (optional):
Option 1 – beads at the top edge and throughout the lace pattern: Glass seed beads size 8/0 3.1mm for lace weight yarn or 6/0 4.0mm for fingering yarn (approx 1400 for large shawl, 800 for small shawl)
Option 2 – beads only at the top edge and along the bottom lace border: Glass seed beads size 6/0 4.0mm (approx 500 for large shawl, 300 for small shawl)

Originally published as Autumn Mystery KAL 2013.
KAL discussion - details & chat:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/susanna-ic

November 16 - Clue #8 with Clue #1 - 7 and all the pattern info and notes
November 8 - Clue #7 with Clue #1 - 6 and all the pattern info and notes
November 2 - Clue #6 with Clue #1 - 5 and all the pattern info and notes
October 26 - Clue #5 with Clue #1 - 4 and all the pattern info and notes
October 19 - Clue #4 with Clue #1 - 3 and all the pattern info and notes
October 12 - Clue #3 with Clue #1 & 2 and all the pattern info and notes
October 5 - Clue #2 with Clue #1 and all the pattern info and notes
September 27 - Clue #1 with all the pattern information and pattern notes

Questions or comments about my designs?
Interested in KALs & MKALs?
Join Susanna IC group on Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/susanna-ic