You will need:
• 5.5mm circular needle at least 24” (61 cm) long to accomodate stitches comfortably (knitting is worked flat)
• yarn needle for weaving in ends
• 2 safety-pin style stitch markers (an optional 3rd marker may be desired to mark the i-cord stitches)

Skill Level: Intermediate; basic stitches, short-row shaping
Techniques: knitting, purling, knit-in i-cord edge, increase by knitting into the front and back of a stitch, wrapped short rows, yarn over increases.
Gauge: 17.5 stitches & 30 rows = 4” (10 cm) square in garter stitch, after blocking
Finished size: 43” x 13” (127 cm x 33 cm), also see schematic on page 6 for more detailed sizing information

Construction: The shawlette is knit side-to-side. It begins with a small number of stitches, and is increased to the widest point. Then some short rows are worked without increases to shape the curve. Finally it is decreased to a point and bound off.

Pattern Inspiration:
Viracocha is an ancient Peruvian deity with a fascinating story. Legend has it he rose out of Lake Titicaca and made the sun, moon, and stars. He is depicted with a crown of the sun, lightning bolts in his hands, and tears of rain. The crescent shape of the shawl is meant to symbolize the moon, the edging mimics the sun’s rays and lightning bolts, and when wearing the shawl, the garter-stitch faintly resembles falling rain. The yarn itself combines a soft, loftily-spun wool with a strand of fine laceweight silk; the resulting yarn is rustic with a hint of luxury. I imagine this is the kind of yarn Viracocha himself would choose: simple, beautiful, and rich in an understated way.

Big needles make for quick knitting, and the thick fabric will keep you warm no matter what weather Viracocha throws your way.

Pattern PDF is 6 pages and roughly 1.4 megabytes. (For a full preview of the actual first page of the pattern, see the images to the left.)