A sister pattern to the popular Dracula stole, the inspiration for this romantic shawl came from the fascinating character of Mina. Complex and full of contradictions, Mina is described as incredibly feminine in appearance while possessing a great intelligence and bravery. She is also child-like and maternal, angelic and innocent as well as demonic and unholy. Mina Harker is by far the most intriguing character in Bram Stoker’s Victorian novel, Dracula; she is the heart connecting all the other characters together.

This design is my classic top-down short row crescent shawl with two size options, Large and Small. The lace pattern is easy enough even for a novice lace knitter because it includes only basic stitches and the wrong side rows are all simply purled. There are beads added throughout the lace and three different beading options are charted, but the project will work just as well without any beads.

Both sizes of the shawl can be worked in lace or fingering, as well as sport weight and DK yarns (heavier yarns may require extra yardage). The Mina shawl was designed specifically for dramatic gradient yarns, but solid or tonal yarns will also work with this lace beautifully

Finished Measurements:
Large: 25” (center depth) x 61” (wingspan)
Small: 19” (center depth) x 58” (wingspan)
Note: Measurements taken after blocking.

Yarn (gradient, solid or tonal colors):
Large: Any fingering or lace weight yarn, approx 525 - 600 yards; the Large fingering weight sample was completed with 525 yards of Heavenly Fiber Bliss MCN (80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon; 600 yards / 125 grams); color: Vlad
Small: Any fingering or lace weight yarn, approx 390 - 440 yards; the Small fingering weight sample was completed with 390 yards of Heavenly Fiber Stardust Sock (75% Merino, 20% Nylon, 5% Stellina; 438 yards / 100 grams); color: Night Sky

Beads (optional):
“lots of beads” / “fewer beads” / “just edges”
Large: 1061 / 509 / 173
Small: 708 / 340 / 116
Note: These are exact numbers, purchasing a few extra beads is recommended.
Bead size depends on the weight of your yarn. Because of the relatively large number of beads in the “lots of beads” and “fewer beads” options, a lace weight shawl would probably work best with 8/0 3.00mm beads to avoid straining the yarn too much, but the same shawl worked in fingering or sport weight could easily support 6/0 4.00mm beads.

Notions:
Crochet hook size 0.75mm or 0.60mm (small enough to fit through holes of beads, optional)
Stitch markers
Yarn needle
Blocking pins

Project Tag:
MINiMKAL2015

Originally published as MINi Mystery Knit-A-Long in the Susanna IC group - presented in four weekly clues, starting the week of September 14th, 2015.
MINi Mystery KAL is my eight Mystery KAL shawl (previous MKALs include Iridea, Oborine, Fialka, Meristem, and Diantha).

Questions or comments about my designs?
Interested in KALs & MKALs?
Join Susanna IC group on Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/susanna-ic