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We used to go to the beach almost every summer. The entire family. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, everyone went. A big caravan of us piled into as few cars as possible. Because the ocean was so far away (2 hours), we always left by dawn to spend the whole day there.

Early morning fog would just begin to burn off and the only sounds were the waves and sea birds talking to me. Standing there before the intense crashing waves was invigorating, yet calming. Eyes closed, I’d feel the sparkly sea spray and salty air settling on my skin. Deep breath. And another. Ah, I I’m home. Being on the beach was magical and it felt good.

As an adult I rarely went back. But that changed the day I was told “You have cancer”. Those words took my breath away. And I’d needed surgery - that’s a gut punch too. Having all of this dropped on me during a pandemic made it even harder to handle. No one was allowed at the doctor’s office except the patient (me). The walk back to the car to tell my worried husband was surrealistic and numbing. I was in a desperate state and wanted to go home. Now. But not to our house.

I wouldn’t have to wait long as Mansfield Lake was only 10 minutes away. Although this place was new to me, I found what I needed. The soft air, birds singing, and lapping of gentle waves against the shore. A place to breath in calm while exhaling overwhelm and fear. It didn’t magically make all the bad feelings and anxiety go away. But being there helped me to create a small safe space between me and cancer.

During the weeks prior to surgery, and since chemotherapy, we often visit the ocean. I’ve learned that the waterside is my spiritual home. It’s a place that calms my mind and helps me heal from within.

This shawl embodies the cragginess of the rocks and the bubbling and swirling ocean waters that wash over them. The Ocean Home Shawl represents what the ocean means to me and the moments of peace and healing that I’ve experienced there.

CONSTRUCTION
The Ocean Home Shawl is worked from the top down beginning with a garter tab cast-on. The instructions for this cast-on result in a shawl with a nice straight edge that’s a breeze to block without the dreaded garter hump!

Once the desired wingspan has been reached, the border of the shawl continues in a lace pattern that’s reminiscent of waves swirling and churning around a rocky shore. Finally your trip to the ocean ends with a bind off that’s stable enough for the shawl’s edge, but stretchy enough to accommodate blocking the
watery lace.

The top portion is worked in easy going garter stitch that resembles a rocky texture. Rows of “bubbles” are made with simple yarn overs and decreases. The craggy surface combined with the bubbles creates a pleasing texture as well as a rhythmic and calming experience.

Pattern also includes:

• optional chart for the lace border
• schematic
• row tracker

PATTERN DETAILS & MATERIALS

SKILLS NEEDED: K2tog, kfb, ssk, ssp, yo, written instructions provided for expandable lace bind-off.

YARDAGE S (L):

• Yarn A 360 - 440 (482 - 589) yds; 330 - 403 (441 - 539) m.
• Yarn B (lace) 295 - 360 (346 - 422) yds; 270 - 330 (317 - 386) M.

WINGSPAN S ( L): 61 (71)”; 155 (180) cm after blocking. Model is wearing size S.
DEPTH S (L): 18” (20.5)”; 46 (52) cm.

NEEDLES: US # 6 (4 mm) is recommended or size to obtain gauge. 40” (100 cm) or longer circular needle.

YARN SUBSTITUTION: Any 4 ply fingering or sock weight yarn. Use the yarn that makes you happy. Keep in mind that the lace section (bottom) looks its best in a tonal, solid, lightly speckled, or gradient.

GAUGE: 23.5 sts x 38 rows = 4” / 10 cm worked flat in garter st (and blocked); two repeats of lace is 20 sts x 36 rows = 5.5” x 4.5” / 14 x 11.5 cm worked flat (and blocked) and measured at deepest point. A different gauge will affect drape, yardage required, and size.

NOTIONS REQUIRED: Tapestry needle and 36 (42) stitch markers

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