“I got to the place where I was fighting as I was writing my book between saying, ‘Am I gay? Am I bisexual? Am I gay? Am I bisexual?’ And either is OK. Just go within and do not lie to yourself.”
—Ricky Martin

Finding ourselves is a journey. Sometimes the path to self-awareness is a short and direct one, and sometimes it’s one that takes many turns. I like how Ricky Martin has evolved over time and, in the end, realizes, “Just go within and do not lie to yourself.” I had a gorgeous, single, gradient, 100 gm cake of Love Is Love, by Knit Circus, and wanted to design a Pride pattern with it. I proceeded to embark on one of my famous “Sit-N-Spin” exercises and promptly got stuck on what exactly I could do with 100 gm/410 yards. A friend suggested a small shawl – perfect! Stockinette is direct and uncomplicated, while the zig-zag lace takes a few turns. This quick shawl offers the opportunity to consider how life has taken us down certain paths. Were they paths which allowed us to be true to ourselves? What paths will we choose for the future? As with all Pride patterns, all proceeds will be donated to the Trevor Project.

Thank you so much for choosing Pride and Paths! You can stay current on my work by visiting my website (https://martaschmarta.com). I would love to see pictures of your finished projects. Please use the hashtag #PrideandPaths when posting pictures on social media. You can contact me at: martaschmarta@gmail.com.

Experience Level: The knitter should have experience in the following techniques

• Knit stitch
• Purl stitch
• Yarn over
• Increase by knitting into the front and back of a stitch
• Slip stitch
• Knit two together
• Pass the slipped stitch over other stitch(es)
• Long tail cast on
• An elastic bind off
• Wet blocking a shawl

Materials:
Needles: One 32 in cir US 5/3.75 mm, or size needed to match gauge.
Yarn: As shown: One skein Knit Circus Breathtaking BFL Fingering in the Love is Love gradient (fingering weight; 100% Superwash BFL Wool; 410 yds/375 m per 100 g skein. Substitute: Sock/fingering weight yarn at least 410 yds/375 m. Using different weight yarn and/or different sized needles will result in a different sized shawl. The ratio between sections is approximately 1/3 stockinette, 1/2 lace, and 1/6 border.
Tapestry needle: to weave in ends.

Gauge: 24 sts x 34 rows 4 in /5 cm stockinette wet blocked to measurements. Make sure to check your gauge if you want your shawl to match the sample pictured.

Sizes: One size triangle 30 in x 30 in x 45 in /76 cm x 76 cm x 114 cm. Size can be varied by changing needle size and rows stockinette and lace patterns.