pet·ri·chor (ˈpeˌtrīkôr/), noun - a pleasant smell that frequently accompanies the first rain after a long period of warm, dry weather.

That’s the dictionary definition of petrichor, but as with so many things, the dictionary definition can’t truly explain what petrichor is. Petrichor, like wine, has a terroir, a sense of place, so that the smell after rainfall in the Mojave Desert is completely different from the smell after rainfall in the rainforests of Vancouver Island, or the scent after rainfall in the Canadian Rockies, or after rainfall on the great reaches of the Prairies. Each is unique, each is beautiful, each can only be understood through experience – and yet, one word is used for all. The Petrichor shawl is a visual presentation of my own experience of petrichor – a sense of the world scrubbed clean, of new possibilities, new growth, a fresh start.

The green sample shawl was worked with MAD|TOSH Tosh Merino Light (colour: Mineral) with Miyuki 6/0 Seagreen-lined Crystal beads. The blue sample shawl was worked with Baah! La Jolla (colour: Blue Topaz).

Sizes (please refer to schematic)
Small: A - 69”/175 cm B - 15”/38 cm C - 78”/198 cm
Medium: A -79”/201 cm B - 17”/43 cm C - 90”/229 cm
Large: A - 85”/216 cm B - 19”/48 cm C -96”/244 cm

Skill Level
Advanced beginner. Skills used include k, p, k2tog, ssk, kfbkyok, yo, and for the beaded version, placing beads.

Gauge
Stockinette stitch: 18 sts and 28 rows = 4 x 4 inches (10 x 10 cm) on 4 mm/US 6 needles, aggressively blocked.

Yarn Requirements
Size Small: 450 yards/411 metres of fingering weight yarn
Size Medium: 650 yards/595 metres of fingering weight yarn
Size Large: 850 yards/777 metres of fingering weight yarn

Needles

• 4 mm (US 6) knitting needles, straight (at least 14”/35 cm long) or circular
• 4.5 mm (US 7) knitting needles, straight, for garter tab CO
• for beaded version: 1mm (size 12) crochet hook Notions
• pins, wires, and a mat for blocking
• tapestry needle for weaving in the ends
• optional: 2 st markers for marking edge/increase sts

Beads
Size Small: approximately 1500 6/0 beads
Size Medium: approximately 3000 6/0 beads
Size Large: approximately 5000 6/0 beads