The MANA WĀHINE collection, six knitwear designs inspired by Aotearoa and Hawai’i, is the inaugural series from the AROHA | ALOHA project highlighting the works of modern indigenous makers.

Preorder the full collection now and receive each pattern as they become available; or, purchase the patterns individually. The full collection will include additional content in ebook format upon the final pattern release in August 2021.

Pay What Works: In an effort to find a balance between more financial accessibility and sustainable pricing, I now offer a “Pay What Works” model. This allows for financial flexibility while still valuing and respecting the work and energy I and others provide in the making of this pattern. The price shown on Ravelry is the “true” value of the pattern that best reflects the work put into creating this design.

To purchase the pattern at a price point that is more accessible to you, use the coupon code at checkout listed next to the price point. The prices indicate the price you will pay, not the discount amount. No coupon code is needed for the highest price point.

AROHA1 - $6.00

AROHA2 - $7.20

AROHA3 - $9.60

NO CODE - $12.00

Please note for those located in Europe that VAT is applied at checkout.

Other ways to support my work is through leaving a tip via Ko-Fi, or becoming a supporter via Patreon.

Once Were Weavers is a tribute to the complexities of Indigenous peoples that colonization tried to erase, in an effort to deem us inferior and thus in need of saving and civilizing. A take on the name of the New Zealand movie “Once Were Warriors”, a brutal movie that displays the violent image of Māori culture, this shawl celebrates the depth of Māori, past, present and future. We are scientists, voyagers, navigators, gardeners, weavers, makers, artists. While we are a strong warrior people, we are so much more than that.

Informed by my experiences with traditional weaving, the stitches used represent, and sometimes mimic, those weaving techniques. Lace stitches and tassles integrate feathers, a common decoration for traditional Māori cloaks. A special combination of dropped and cable stitches approximates a cabling done in weaving, and you’ll marvel as these stitches come together in your hands.

Linen yarn fashions a perfect knitting and wearing experience for these warm days.

This three-quarter shawl will sit easily on your shoulders. With that ease, it will become the perfect partner for those afternoons that turn into late evenings.

PATTERN INFORMATION

YARN

• 950 - 1,160 yds./ 868 - 1,060 m
• DK weight
• Linen has a lot of lovely drape to it, but very little elasticity.
• DanDoh Linen (100% Linen; 145 yds.; 113 m / 50 g). 7 skeins in Ecru Natural.

NEEDLES

• US 8/5 mm and US 5/3.75 mm or size needed to obtain gauge, 60 in./150 cm circular needle.
• A long circular needle is recommended in order to accommodate the large number of stitches as the shawl grows.

GAUGE

• 18 sts and 24 sts = 4 in./10 cm in St. st with US 8/5 mm needle size and after blocking.
• Gauge is not crucial to this project, but varying gauges will affect yardage and final measurements.

NOTIONS

• Stitch markers
• Darning/tapestry needle
• Crochet hook US H8/5 mm

SIZES

• Depth: 21 in./53 cm; Width: 38 in./97.5 cm