Chai-aeli is the name of a coastal town at the Black Sea region of Turkey. It is the heart of tea production in Turkey. The first time I have been to Black Sea Region was for a business trip to Chai-aeli. I was completely mesmerized by the sea of tea plants on the mountains. I can hardly find proper words to describe the beauty of green tones of tea plants and their harmony with the blue of the Black Sea.

There is a special type of fabric woven in the Black Sea Region called Kashan (Keşan). It is woven with wooden pulleys for centuries and it is an indispensable product for Black Sea girls. It is used as a local outfit or as an accessory by the local people. Chai-aeli Shawl was inspired by the colors and patterns of the Kashan fabric which is a symbol of the Black Sea Region.

The shawl starts with a circular pi shawl construction and then transitions into a three-module shawl with elegant lotus increases at the edges and between the three modules. This combination forms a shawl that will drape neatly over your shoulders. It is a shawl but it can be easily transformed into a shrug by connecting the front and back under the sleeves.

Materials:
Color 1: 2 skeins Urth 16 Fingering, shown in BR10
Color 2: 2 skeins Urth 16 Fingering, shown in N70
Color 3: 2 skeins Urth16 Fingering, shown in R70

Dimensions: one size, one size, 33.5’’/85 cm x 33.5’’/85 cm

Needles: US 4/3.50 mm, 40’’/100cm or longer circulars (the shawl gets wider towards the end, so you may want to switch to longer needles)

Gauge: 24 sts and 34 rows = 4’’/10 cm in stockinette stitch usinf US 4/3.50mm needles, measured after blocking.

Notions: Tapestry needle to work in loose ends, stitch markers