Learning to fly is inspired by the Pink Floyd song of the same name, from their 1987 album A Momentary Lapse Of Reason. It is a triangular shawl worked top centre out, designed to blend a number of colours from dark out to light. There are two options, Large, using a single strand of fingering weight yarn and Extra large, using two strands of fingering weight yarn, for a big shawl you can wrap yourself up in or snuggle under on the sofa.

This was test-knit as a mystery KAL. Whilst the samples shown were knit with fancy hand-dyed yarns, test-knitters used everything from big-box-store self striping yarns, to handspun, and leftovers. I’d love to see what you come up with.

Large Size:
Wingspan: approx 190cm/75” after blocking
Depth: approx 95cm/37.5” after blocking

• Single strand of yarn throughout.
• 300g-400g fingering weight yarn (approx 400m per 100g) in various colours ranging from dark to light. Sock yarn in solid, tonal, variegated, and speckled colorways will work well. I recommend the last colour be white. This version (purples through orange to speckled white) has been knit using 50g Fireside Collection Merino Sock Blend in colour no. 1002 Navy, 100g Stranded In Oz Happy Little Mitey Sock in colour Mad Marian, 100g Moseley Park Mitchell in colour Ashild, and 60g Manos del Uruguay Alegria in colour Columbina.
• 3.75mm circular needles (minimum 80cm length) or appropriate size to get 7.5 stitches and 8.5 rows per inch in stocking stitch. Differences in gauge will affect the amount of yarn used and finished size.

Extra Large size:
Wingspan: approx 240cm/94” after blocking
Depth: approx 125cm/49” after blocking

• Yarn held doubled throughout.
• Minimum 800g fingering weight yarn (approx 400m per 100g) in various colours ranging from dark to light. Sock yarn in solid, tonal, variegated, and speckled colorways will work well. I recommend the last colour be white. This version (blues through peach to white) has been knit using 7x100g of Hedgehog Fibres Sock in the colourways Spell, Bali, Pier, Monet, Sangria, Bubblicious, and Seed, and 100g of Cascade Heritage colour no. 5618 Snow, and used every last bit. If in doubt I suggest buying an extra skein of your lightest colour.
• 5mm circular needles (minimum 80cm length) or appropriate size to get 4.5 stitches and 7.5 rows per inch in stocking stitch. Differences in gauge will affect the amount of yarn used and finished size.

Both sizes will also require the following:

• Scales for weighing yarn.
• Stitch markers, minimum 4, as per instructions, you may wish to use more.
• Wool needle for weaving in ends.

There are two versions of the pattern file, one for viewing on tablet screens and one for printing. The print version has enlarged charts that can be taped together for ease of reading.

This pattern is intended for personal, not-for-profit use only.