March in Southern Ontario is maple syrup season! There are no buds on the trees yet, but with the daytime temperatures above freezing and the nighttime temperatures below, the sap is rising with vigour in the sugar bush. Tap lines run through the snowy woods, delivering their sweet burden to the boiler house, where steam rises from the endlessly simmering vats of cooking syrup.

The Maple Syrup Pi shawl is a three-quarter circular shawl that starts with a garter tab but quickly turns to pi shawl shaping to create its round profile. The reverse stocking stitch used for most of the shawl body is a soft reminder of spring snow, while the lace motifs are chosen to represent maple flowers and leaves. When the flower buds pop, maple syrup season comes to an end.

Materials Needed:
- @800 yards lace weight yarn sample worked in an alpaca/silk/mohair blend
- 3.25mm (US 3) circular or straight needle(s) or size needed for gauge
Optional:
- 27 stitch markers

Gauge: 28 stitches x 36 rows over 4”/10cm in stocking stitch before blocking.
Note that I do not consider gauge to be essential for a lace shawl. Instead, I recommend swatching for a fabric you like. If your gauge is markedly different from that given in the pattern, you will need to adjust your yardage accordingly.

Pattern Instruction Format:
The pattern is entirely written; you do not need to refer to the charts to work this pattern.
The pattern is also entirely charted; you do not need to refer to the written instructions to work this pattern.