The Five Tenets Collection of shawls is inspired by the five tenets of taekwondo. The five tenets are recited by the class, unifying them as students, but also as humans. Even though these tenets are rooted in martial arts, they are principles we all should live by: Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, and Indomitable Spirit.

The final tenet of taekwondo is Indomitable Spirit. This principle is similar to Perseverance, but it goes a little deeper. Indomitable Spirit is having a positive attitude and not giving up even when you are challenged. One of the scariest things in knitting is dropping a stitch—not being able to recover that stitch and the ruined project youʼre left with. In this shawl, you will feature, not fear, those dropped stitches.

Indomitable Spirit is a fingering weight boomerang shawl worked in garter stitch on the bias. Stitches are dropped (gasp!) from one edge to another. A crochet hook is then used to “ladder up” the stitches and create a chain along the surface. The shawl is finished off with a larger chain of stitches along the border to tie it all together. Itʼs easier than youʼd think, and youʼre guaranteed to impress all your knitting friends with your confidence.

10.75 in. (27.5 cm) deep at center
75 in. (190.5 cm) along wingspan
31.5 in. (80 cm) along bind-off edge
50 in. (127 cm) along other bottom edge

Dream in Color Everlasting Sock, 1 skein, 100% Merino Wool, 400 yd. (366 m)/100 g, or similar fingering weight yarn
Sample shown in Dive colorway used approximately 392 yd. (366 m)/98 g.

US Size 7 (4.5 mm) 32-40 in. (80-100 cm) circular needle, or size needed to produce desired fabric
One US Size 7 (4.5 mm) double-pointed needle, or same size as main needle, for border
Size G (4 mm) crochet hook, or size similar to main needle
Stitch markers (8-12)
Locking stitch markers (5-6)
Gram scale for estimating yarn usage
Blunt tapestry needle

The pattern is written for one size, but a gram scale and the provided calculations will help you make the most of the yarn you have.