The Way Forward Shawl is part of the Reconciliation Canada series, which includes the The Way Forward Cowl

All proceeds of this pattern will go to support Reconciliation Canada Monthly totals will posted every few months. Please visit the site to find out about this great initiative.

I am pleased to report a donation of $140 to Reconciliation Canada, from March 8 to April 10. This includes sales from both the Way Forward Shawl and Cowl.

Happy Canada Day! Very happy to have made an additional donation of $35 today! Including sales from both the Shawl and Cowl. Thanks!

The Way Forward

The design theme of this shawl is an arrow, both a hearkening to an earlier way of life and a symbol for a new direction. It was inspired by a movement called Reconciliation Canada, which seeks to bring healing between Indigenous groups and all Canadians and to repair the damage caused by colonialism. Regretfully Canada has a shameful history in this regard which has had long and devastating effects for Indigenous groups. We need to strive to build bridges and create a New Way Forward, for which this shawl was named.

If you’re interested in keeping up with my design journey feel free to follow my instagram account @hanabeedesigns

Errata note

Chart 5 on both the Small and Large versions contain small errors. The pattern has been updated with the corrected charts and written instructions. The corrected written instructions are included at the bottom of these notes for the convenience of anyone who has already downloaded the pattern.
The written instruction are wrong in row 110. Correct instructions are below.

Size:

Small/Large

Note: This pattern is 25 pages. For convenience, if knitting Small, you only need to print pages 1-12, and 24-25, if Large, pages 1-5, and 13-25.

Finished measurements after blocking:

Small:
Wingspan: 64”/164 cm
Spine: 32”/ 82 cm

Large:
Wingspan: 84”/214 cm
Spine: 42”/ 107 cm

Suggested Yarn:

(Small sample) 2 skeins of Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts 100% Superwash BFL Wool 4 Ply Fingering/Sock, 437 yards/400 metres, in the Swashbuckle colourway;

(Large sample) 2 skeins of Atelier Franziska Uhl Handgefärbte
Sockenwolle, 459 yards/420 metres, in the Bernstein colourway;

(Alternate Large sample) Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light, Fingering, 420 yards/384 metres, in the Glazed Pecan Colourway.

or other fingering weight yarn, 600-800 yards / 550-730 metres.

Needles

Size 8 US/5 mm circular needle 32”/80 cm long (but length not critical as knit flat)
Size 11 US/8 mm needle (any type) for bind off

Gauge

9 sts/18 rows = 2.5”/6.25 cm (Gauge Chart included in pattern)

Note: Exact gauge is not critical, but finished measurements may change, as well as yardage/meterage

Notions

Tapestry needle, blocking pins, blocking wires (optional, but recommended)

Errata

SM: Row 115: K3, (yo, k2tog) x 2, yo, k1, (yo, ssk) x 2, k1, (k2tog, yo) x 2 x 15, k1, (yo, ssk) x 2, yo, k1, (yo, k2tog) x 2, yo, k1, (yo, ssk) x 2, k1, (k2tog, yo) x 2 x 15, k1, (yo, ssk) x 2, yo, k3. (329 sts)

LG: Row 123: K3, yo, k2, yo, k1, yo, cdd, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, k2, yo, ssk, yo, cdd, yo, k2tog, yo, k1 x 15, k2, yo, ssk, yo, cdd, (yo, k1, yo, k2) x 2, yo, k1, yo, cdd, yo, k2tog, yo, k1, k2, yo, ssk, yo, cdd, yo, k2tog, yo, k1 15 times, k2, yo, ssk, yo, cdd, yo, k1, yo, k2, yo, k3. (353 sts)

LG: Row 110: K3, yo, k153, yo, k1, yo, k153, yo, k3. (317 sts)