The tree is a multifaceted symbol in cultures around the world, often representing long life and wisdom. The Tree pattern or motif is found in knitting, embroidery, and weaving in many countries; Shetland, Orenburg, and Estonian lace knitting traditionally incorporate this motif.

For this shawl, I used three different sizes of the Tree motif, all knitted with yarnovers and knit-two-together stitches to create the traditional Orenburg diagonals pattern. The top border of the shawl contains nine trees, each corner has two, and the side borders have seven. Separating lines (yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog) create the illusion of a triangle within a triangle. The inner section has twenty-eight small trees. I used “teeth” points for the shawl‘s edging. Knitted from the bottom to the top, with a chart that’s easy to remember, the shawl is a great project for beginning and advanced lace knitters alike.

Jamieson & Smith Shetland Supreme 100% Shetland wool yarn, 2-ply laceweight, 219 yards (200.3 m)/25 gram (.88 oz) skein, 3 skeins of Fawn; www.shetlandwoolbrokers.co.uk