Sometimes the hits keep coming and the stress piles up, and it’s a struggle to just keep breathing. When that happens, pick up a hook and find solace in the feel of the yarn and the rhythm of the stitches. The Keep Breathing Shawl requires no counting or focus and it’s loaded with texture for added tactile comfort. Stitch your way through it all, and at the end of the day, if you were able to keep breathing, that’s an accomplishment in and of itself.

The Keep Breathing Shawl uses a variegated and a coordinating tonal. The color changes and the differences between each section keep things interesting while still requiring almost no mental energy. The stripes are designed to minimize the need for weaving in ends, and the pattern includes instructions for working it row by row, adjusting based on yardage, or customizing each section to size.

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Sample
Seamfoam sample used Cozy Color Works Fingering Weight SW Merino (fingering weight; 100% sw merino; 550yds/114g), 550yds/110g English Garden (color A), 550yds/110g Teal (color B)

Navy sample used Cozy Color Works Fingering Weight SW Merino (fingering weight; 100% sw merino; 550yds/114g), 550yds/110g Starry Night (color A), 550yds/110g Midnight Blue (color B)

Thanks to Cozy Color Works for providing the yarn for the pattern samples!

Yarn and Other Materials
The pattern calls for a variegated and a tonal that blends well with it, with equal yardage of each color. You can also work it in two tonals, two variegateds, or any other color combination. It’s designed to use a fingering weight yarn, but will work in any weight.
There are a bunch of notes for using stitch markers throughout the pattern. These are optional and are just intended to make it easier to keep track of where you’re up to.

Gauge
19 sts and 10 rows = 4”/10cm in dc. Gauge swatch is worked flat and measurements are taken after blocking. Do not stretch the fabric when checking gauge. Gauge is not essential to this pattern as a shawl that is slightly larger or smaller will still fit nicely, and the shawl can also be easily adjusted. Differences in gauge will change the finished size and will also impact the yardage required.

Size
Adjustable. 1100yds/220g of fingering weight will net a shawl that measures 48.5”/123cm along the longest edge and 36”/91.5cm along the shortest edge.

Skills required
ch, hdc, dc, back post, switching colors

Construction
The shawl is worked side-to-side to form an asymmetrical triangle. It’s worked in one piece, changing colors as needed. The striped sections are worked to minimize the need for weaving in ends, so you’ll only have an end at the start and finish of the section.

Overview of the Finished Object
The Keep Breathing Shawl is an asymmetrical triangle. It has five sections - solid, striped, textured, striped, solid - with the solid sections in color A, the striped sections using both colors A and B, and the textured section in color C.

Copyright
This pattern and any associated images, schematics, and charts are copyright Rachy Newin Designs and may not be distributed in part or in whole without express written permission. Handmade objects created from this pattern are not subject to copyright and you can do as you please with your finished object.

Printing
Both a regular and printer friendly version are available! The regular version includes large photos on the first page and the last three pages, so print accordingly. The printer-friendly version has only one photo on the cover page, and less spacing so the pattern takes up fewer pages. If you are working from the printer-friendly version and are having trouble with a pattern, I strongly recommend checking the regular version. The text will be easier to read and it might have more detailed instructions.

Screen Reader Compatibility
The main pattern pdf is designed to be screen reader compatible. The text is all in one column and headers are formatted according to the style sheet. The pattern is written out completely and the images have descriptive alt text.