Sometimes, clouds start to obscure the blue sky; the light diminishes and becomes silvery. Shining rays emerge whilst suddenly light darkens, and then the storm is there. Lightnings pierce the sky as thunder roars. Soon after, everything is calm and silent, whilst the sun appears to shade the last clouds of a warm purple. Arapawa tells this story: the light variations when a storm occurs in the sky of the Pacific islands. Arapawa, a name that roars like thunder, is taken after a small island in New Zealand. It is the third shawl on the theme “Light of pacific” (after Upolu and Basilan).

Arapawa is a classic triangular shawl that is worked from the middle neck downward. Starting with a garter tab cast on, it gradually develops with several simple stitches pattern and with three colours. The increases are more numerous on the sides to benefit from long wings without the tip falling too low. It has been worked with neutral colours for a classic style. You may prefer to use contrasting colours for a pop style.
Level
Arapawa is suitable for a beginner ready to learn few more things: a garter tab cast on explained in a provided tutorial; increase/decrease or yo/k2tog. Written instructions are given row by row; charts are provided. A synthesis table, giving the stitches number row by row, is also offered. It is a TV knit for a more experienced knitter. However the stitches are organized to provide an interesting texture and an interesting knitting.
Material
Yarn
Any fingering yarn with drape will be good. Variegated or speckle yarn may be used if completed with solid yarn.
The sample has been knitted with: Lang, Magic tweed SW (62% wool, 18% polyamid, 10% viscose, 10% polyacryl; 1.76 oz/50g, 218 yds/200 m):
Colour 1 (C1): 943 0003, light grey: 1 ball.
Colour 2 (C2): 943 0070, dark grey: 1 (2) ball(s).
Colour 3 (C3): 943 0048, purple: 2 balls.
Needle and notion

• One circular needle US 4/3.5 mm, 32 in /80 cm minimum.
• 4 stitches markers.
• 1 tapestry needle.

Gauge: Square 4” X 4 “/ 10 cm x 10 cm: 20 sts and 32 rows. This gauge is looser than the recommended one for the yarn. (The yarn used for the pattern is a fingering weight that usually works to 26 sts over 4” /10 cm).

All the photographies are from sa-ja.

I would like to thank my wonderful testers : hounds mum; fpdc. I am so grateful for their help.