This is a fairly simple shawl that requires knowledge of the knit stitch, purl stitch, yarn over, and bind off. It is very adaptable and can be made in a one yarn or two or many. It can also be adjusted for other gauges and sizes by binding off sooner or continuing the pattern for as many repeats as you want. It is a nice blend of mindless knitting and rows where you can count in a rhythm. It knits up fairly quickly and makes a great gift.

A “mitzvah” is a good deed or charitable act. I think of it as something you give of yourself to better the world around you. Technically, in Judaism, it means “commandment” as in the commandments of how to live as a good person. I designed this shawl for a colleague who has always been generous, kind and supportive of me. She is having a breast cancer recurrence and I wanted her to have something to wrap herself in. I hope you will think of this pattern when you want to give something to someone who needs comfort and compassion.

Finished size is approximately 52” wide and 18” long at center.

3/9/2020: Updated version is now available that minimizes the bump at the cast on edge. To eliminate the bump completely, I suggest using a garter tab beginning and then continuing with the shawl as written (CO 2, k 8 rows, k2, turn and pick up 4 on garter edge in bumps, k2).

5/13/2020: Mistake corrected in new version Row 3 should read: k2, yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo, k2 (6 increases to go from 12 to 18 stitches)