This shawl was designed to commemorate an October 2022 trip to the Asheville, NC area to attend the SAFF (Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair). We took in sights including Black Mountain, Brevard, Hendersonville, and the Biltmore Estate. October’s colors were spectacular along the Blue Ridge Parkway, as were the ubiquitous white squirrels.

The rectangular shawl incorporates stripes of five textural patterns representing western North Carolina in autumn traversed by a winding mountain road. It can be worked in 1-10 colors, using stash or new yarns. The shawl is intended for fingering weight yarn, equivalent of 4 full 3 1/2 oz balls (1720 yards). My sample is worked in 6 colors.

This is also a good stash-buster project.

Size (after blocking): 24” x 82”/63.5 x 211 cm

Materials:
Fingering yarn : 1 ball 80 Merino/10 Cashmere/10 Nylon (manufacturer unknown) (428 yds/400.5 m) in Tobacco and Roses, 1 ball Knitted Wit Sock (420 yds/384 m) in Carpenter Bee, Three Irish Girls Adorn Luxe (430 yds/393 m) in Jib, 1 ball Three Irish Girls Adorn Luxe (430 yds/393 m) in Holly Berry, 1 ball Toad Hollow Yarns Sock Toad (400 yds/365 m) in Dementor’s Kiss, and 1 ball MadelineTosh Tosh DK 225 yds/206 m) in 9137 Tart.

Or use any fingering weight yarn in 1-10 different colors: Total of 1680 yds/1537 m

If using stash yarns, assume each segment will use 160-180 yds/147-165 m

Needles: Size US 5 (3.75 mm) circular needle, 32”/80 cm or longer, or any size needles that will give you the same gauge

Notions:
--stitch markers: 2 distinct markers (for Road) and an optional supply of removable markers for use between pattern repeats
--tapestry needle to weave ends

Gauge: 22.5 sts/26 rows in 4”/10cm, in stockinette stitch, blocked