Most people are familiar with the awe, majesty, and drama of a summer thunderstorm. But in some parts of the world, thunderstorms aren’t relegated to the summer months only. Sometimes, if the conditions are exactly right, a blizzard comes with a thunder and lightning accompaniment; this spectacular variation on a winter storm is called Thunder Snow.

The Thunder Snow MKAL Shawl is inspired by a particular legendary creature of the Abenaki tradition, the Psônen, or Snow Bringer, an eagle-like creature that creates snow by opening its wings. This is a complicated pattern that will require paying attention to many non-repeating motifs across long rows. It begins as a traditional top down triangular shawl, but there are some shifts to the shaping that creates its unique finished profile.

There are three beading options for this project, each requiring different amounts of beads. You may combine the options as you wish, or not bead at all!

Materials Needed:
- @700-750 yards of light fingering weight yarn (sample used 706 yards)
- 3.25mm (US 3) needles or size needed for a pleasing fabric
- Darning needle for weaving in ends

Optional Materials:
- 0.6mm crochet hook for beading (check tatting supplies to source such a thin hook)
- Up to 1033 0/6 beads (exact number of beads needed varies)

Additional Materials for the Gauge Swatch:
If you are not planning to reuse the yarn from your gauge swatch, you will need an additional @57 yards of yarn and 20 beads.

Gauge: 30 stitches by 40 rows in unblocked star stitch over 4”
Gauge is given for the unblocked fabric as how much stretch to give to a finished shawl is a personal choice and greatly affects gauge after blocking.

Instruction Style:
The pattern is fully written; you do not need to use the charts to work the pattern.
The pattern is fully charted except for the garter tab cast on; you do need to use the written instructions to work the pattern after the garter tab.

MKAL art by Emory Irpan, used with permission