Every summer, with luck, we get at least one perfect storm: a long, steady, gentle rain that soaks through the ground and nourishes the roots of all the plants. The sound and scent of gentle rain nourishes the soul, too.

Colorado is an arid place, and the rare perfect storms make all the difference. Most summer storms are full of sound and fury, passing quickly. But I love the gentle rains. Lately I long for anything that instills a sense of comfort and safety. To remind myself of the gentle ways in which we are nourished, I designed the Summer Rain Shawl. This lightweight, airy shawl is worked from the center top-down in a classic crescent shape. Twisted rib stitch gives way to an original cable and lace pattern inspired by the fall and splash of raindrops.

Pattern is provided in written form, and the lace is also fully charted. Video demonstrations are provided for many of the techniques as well.

This pattern has been optimized for knitCompanion! You can find the optimized version available from the kCDesigns shop here.

Finished Sizes S|L
Wingspan: 60 in/152 cm | 75 in/190 cm
Center Depth: 18 in/46 cm | 22 in/56 cm (measured to lace border tips)

Gauge
21 sts and 29 rows = 4 in/10 cm, in twisted rib stitch after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this shawl but may affect yardage needed to complete the shawl. The pattern uses 457 yards/418 meters | 788 yards/720 meters at gauge.

Since this project is aggressively blocked, the pattern also includes a % Used metric for monitoring yarn usage.

It is highly recommended that you check your personal usage frequently to ensure that the amount of yarn you are consuming is at or below this % Used metric if you are using a yarn of limited yardage.

However, the pattern does include recommendations for modifying if you are consistently over or under the projected yarn usage.

Recommended Materials

Yarn The Blue Brick Niagara Silk Singles gradient yarn
Small: Husky 500 yards/460 meters/125g
Large: Mammoth 800 yards/730 meters/200g
(75% Superwash Merino / 15% Cashmere / 10% Silk).

However, any fingering or heavy lace weight yarn that blocks well should work well for this pattern.

Optional Beads Miyuki Triangle Beads Size 5/0, approximately 562 | 910 beads used. Add more or fewer beads as desired!

Sample was knit in the large size in the Waterfall gradient colorway with transparent clear color-lined Steel beads.

Pattern was test-knit in a variety of fibers, including an acrylic/wool blend, a merino/nylon blend, a rayon/cotton blend, a cotton/acrylic blend, and a merino/silk blend.

Needles
Size US 5/3.75 mm, or size needed to obtain gauge or to create a fabric you love.

Notions

• scissors
• tapestry needle
• cable needle

Optional Notions

• steel hook size US 11/1.1 mm crochet hook or similar size for placing beads
• another larger crochet hook if using a crocheted provisional cast-on
• Stitch markers may be useful but may need to be rearranged to accommodate increases, decreases, or cables.

Techniques Used
knit, purl, twisted knit and purl (worked through the back loop)
Increases: yo, kyok, pyop
Decreases: k2tog, ssk, cdd, twisted k2tog and twisted ssk
Star stitch (an increase worked into a decrease)
Cables
All stitch definitions are provided in the pattern.

If you’d like to come hang out in my Ravelry group while knitting the shawl (or knitting anything!) I’d love to see what you’re up to!

Pattern has been professionally tech edited and tested.

If you reside within the state of Colorado, USA, you may be charged a sales tax of 4% of the purchase price.