Great Highway is a wide, north-south road that separates the neighborhoods of the Outer Richmond and Outer Sunset from the sand dunes, cliffs, and the Pacific Ocean, which comprise Ocean Beach in San Francisco. The road is both a barrier and a passage; it is a place where nature and city merge. As you follow its path, you’ll see brightly colored houses set against grey-blue skies, peering over ice plants and dunes, out to the sea. The stitch patterns of this wrap evoke the blending of sea, sand, plants, people, houses, and city blocks. This wrap reminds us that our lives, livelihoods, and creative energies are intertwined with the land, water, climate, and each other.

San Francisco is located on the traditional lands of the Ramaytush Ohlone people. “Great Highway“ came to me as I was considering the present day realities of the coastal area where I live compared to what it might have been like thousands of years ago, before colonists arrived. Throughout the Bay Area, the Ohlone* are known for their expert use of natural fibers to construct housing and clothing, and they continue to create some of the most beautiful and prized baskets in the world. I am grateful to live on and be inspired by the land and its stewards, the Ohlone people. May we work in unity with them and all Indigenous Peoples to take care of each other and our world. For more information about the Ohlone people, visit: https://kanyonkonsulting.com/ohlone-california-native-res...

The term Ohlone is used to encompass a number of Indigenous Peoples, including Ramaytush, Chochenyo, Tamien, Awasawas, Mutsun, Rumsen, Chalon, and Esselen. The Bay Area is also home to the Miwok to the North and Yokuts to the East.

FINISHED DIMENSIONS
Depth: Approximately 21” / 53 cm
Wingspan: 62” / 157 cm

MATERIALS
Yarn
Fingering
437 yds / 400 m in Color 1
280 yds / 256 m in Color 2

This project requires 1 skein of each color of Seismic Yarn & Dyeworks’ Seismic Butter Fingering (100% Extra Fine Superwash Merino, 437 yards 400 m/3.5 oz 100g). Great Highway photographed in Bella Donna (color 1) and Haight-Ashbury Life (color 2).

Needles
One circular needle, 32” / 80 cm or longer, in size needed to obtain gauge; suggested size US 4 / 3.5 mm.
Larger needle for I-cord bind-off (optional).

Additional Tools
Stitch markers
Blunt tapestry needle

GAUGE
20 sts and 40 rows = 4” / 10 cm in Stockinette stitch, after blocking.
18 sts and 48 rows = 4” /10 cm in Garter stitch, after blocking.

NOTES
This wrap is shaped like a flying rectangle. Its center is a geometric lace rectangle, and on each of the long sides, there’s an asymmetrical triangle wing in Garter and Stockinette stitch. The wrap is worked flat, with increases and decreases only in the wings (not in the lacework). The wrap’s unique shape styles easily.