Ornithology is the study of birds; it’s also the name of one of Charlie “Bird” Parker’s most famous compositions and recordings. Charlie Parker was one of the most influential musical innovators of 20th century jazz playing alongside many other incredible musicians who would define the bebop era. Parker (saxophonist) and Benny Harris (trumpeter) composed “Ornithology”, a contrafact of the tune “How High the Moon”.

When Kate of Bad Lux Designs put out the Wise & Wooly Collection in 2023, I knew I needed to use her incredible colorways in a design. This pattern is the perfect mini/scrap stash buster as you explore the wonders of two color fisherman’s rib!

SIZE(S)
Size depends on yarn weight and meeting gauge

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Finished: 22” / 55cm center depth x 86” / 215cm wingspan

YARN
SAMPLE 1: Main Color 1 (MC1) – Fingering weight, 46g / 201yds / 184m, (1) skein;
Color 1-5 (C1-C5) – Fingering weight, 10g / 40yds / 37m each, (5) mini skeins;
Main Color 2 (MC2) – Fingering weight, 20g / 87yds / 80m, (1) skein;
Color 6-10 (C6-C10) – Fingering weight, 7g / 28yds / 26m each, (5) mini skeins

SAMPLE 2: MC – Fingering weight 55g / 273yds / 250m, (1) skein;
CC – Sport/Dk Handspun approx. 55g / 182yds / 166m, (1) 4oz braid

SUGGESTED YARN
SAMPLE 1: Bad Lux Designs Fingering, 75% SW Merino Wool / 25% Nylon (100g / 437yds) MC1 – “Ink”; MC2 – “Preen”
Bad Lux Designs Fingering Minis from the “Wise & Wooly” Collection, 75% SW Merino Wool / 25% Nylon (20g / 80yds) C1 – “Preen”; C2 – “Snowy Owl”; C3 – “Tawny Owl”; C4 – “Elf Owl”; C5 – “Barn Owl”; C6 – “Trill”; C7 – “Screech Owl”; C8 – “Great Horned Owl”; C9 – “Nest”; C10 – “Nocturne”

SAMPLE 2: Main Color (MC) – Kelbourne Woolens Perennial, Fingering weight 60% SW / 25% Suri Alpaca / 15% Nylon (100g / 497yds) “Natural”;
Contrast Color (CC) Spindelicious Classic, Fractal handspun in Sport/DK weight 100% NSW Corriedale (4oz) “Dreamland”

NEEDLES
US size 5 / 3.75mm

GAUGE
Fingering weight: 19.5 sts & 20 rows = 4” / 10cm over Fisherman’s Rib, blocked and flat.

GEAR
Opt. stitch marker to mark front of shawl, (6) opt. locking stitch markers for seaming, scissors, tapestry needle

ALBUM
“Ornithology” by Charlie “Bird” Parker available on Spotify

Please share your photos on Instagram using #OrnithologyShawl and don’t forget to tag me so I can see, @BebopAndKnit