This shawl has been created in honour of Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900). He was an Irish playwright, author and poet. He spent much of his days enjoying life to its fullest and sharing clever witticisms with everyone. He absolutely LOVED interesting names and “Speranza” is just that. It was also his mother’s pen name when she wrote fairy tales. (Besides, Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde would be too long for a shawl name). If I could have lived in the Victorian Era, Oscar and I would be great friends, drinking absinthe (or Darjeeling tea), going on adventures and enjoying interesting company.
I wanted this shawl to reflect a similar style that the Victorians would wear, while also keeping it an accessory that would be fit for a well-dressed person regardless of gender. The stitch pattern creates O’s & W’s and is a simple repeat that also looks like books stacked on shelves.

“The mark of all good art is not that the thing done is done exactly or finely, for machinery may do as much, but that it is worked out with the head and the workman’s heart.”

• Oscar Wilde

The pictures were taken on the Winter Solstice at Speakers Corner which includes lanterns originally from London at the entrance to Hyde Park. Speakers Corner serves as a constant reminder of our heritage of free speech. I know Oscar’s favourite colour was green but this blue velvet jacket would have also looked good on him!

Materials
 1 skein of sock yarn approximately 490 yards (448m) 110g
Sample uses: Manos Del Uruguay – “Poison” 490 yards (448m) 110g
 Crochet Hook size H (5.0 mm)
 Tapestry Needle
 Tools for blocking

Gauge
10 X 10 cm / 4 X 4 inch =18 stitches X 10 rows in dc (stitches unblocked)

Measurements
Before Blocking: 32” X 27” X 23” (81 cm X 69 cm X 58 cm) (a, b, c)
After Blocking: 45” X 39” X 30” (114 cm X 99 cm X 76 cm) (a, b, c)

Abbreviations ~US Terms
Ch – chain
Dc – double crochet
Hdc – half double crochet
Puff – puff stitch (see special stitches below)
Sc – single crochet
Sk – skip stitch
St(s) – Stitch (es)
Yo – yarn over

Special stitches used:
Puff Stitch – YO, insert hook into indicated stitch. YO, pull up loop. (YO, insert hook into same stitch, YO, pull up loop) 2 times. YO, pull through 6 loops on hook, YO, pull through last 2 loops on hook

Note: - Turning chains count as a stitch unless noted
- Each row increases by 1 stitch