This pattern is a painting of peace and stillness captured for a moment, through the snow and pine tree theme.

I would recommend knitting this pattern in a lace or fingering weight yarn. A yarn that gives you a good stitch definition will definitely show the elements more clearly.

Yardage will vary based on personal knitting gauge and needle size. Most likely lace weight you will need a minimum of 800m (875yds); testers used 784m (857yds) to 824m (901yds). Fingering versions ran 1044m (1142yds) to 1128m (1233yds).

I would recommend US size 2-3 needles with lace. If using a heavier yarn, you will want to go with larger needles. (The test knits varied widely on yarns, needles and sizes. Please refer to the projects for an idea on which weight of yarn you may want to use based on the size shawl you would like to achieve.)

Knit it with beads, with different beads for different elements, or without beads… In the pattern the bead usage is broken down by elements so you may choose easily and know how many beads you need.

The pattern is a little challenging in places. Just make sure you are counting stitches to keep on track, remember to breathe, and ask for help if you need.

‘Stillness’

Encased alone in a world of white
Having no beginning, and no end,
I sit in silent solitude, removed.
The mountains are erased as if
They never stood, rock supporting
Rock, rising to tower over fields
Barren of harvest, buried beneath
A shroud of untouched virgin snow.
Trees stand raising rigid, frosted
Fingers in supplication towards
The frozen sky, devoid of color.
Quietness settles deeper, removing
Life’s urgent sounds, and stillness
Seeps slowly into my silenced soul.
A solitary hawk swoops in, downy
White wings softly caressing air
To fold--she settles upon a branch,
Completing this moment of peace.

-A. Wright