Heliantheae is the third largest tribe in the sunflower family, with the name derived from the genus Helianthus, which is Greek for sunflower. Each “flower” of a sunflower is actually a disc made up of many flowers – tiny disc florets in the center and ray florets on the outside. While the majority of sunflowers are typically yellow and produce dark brown to black seeds, they can be found in a variety of other colors including orange, red, purple and maroon.

This top-down, two-color, 7/8ths of a circle shawl starts with a small garter tab followed by trinity stitch and scattered beads to mimic the disc florets. Once the disc florets are complete, the ray florets grow, and they slowly separate into individual petals.

Yarn

Knit Picks Shadow (100% Merino Wool; 440 yds [402 m]/ 50 g): Redwood Forest (MC), 1 skein, Goldrush Tonal (CC), 2 skeins.

Needle/Hook

Size US 5 (3.75mm) 60″ (160cm) circular needles

Size 16 (0.6mm) hook

Or size needed to obtain gauge

Size

24″ [61cm] long and 49″ [125cm] diameter

100″ [254cm] bottom circumference

Gauge

24 sts and 26 rows = 4″ [10cm] in patt after blocking

Notions

744 size 8/0 seed beads in topaz (Color A)

644 size 8/0 seed beads in yellow (Color B)

Tapestry needle, stitch markers.

Scrap yarn for provisional cast-on.

Tutorials

Garter Tab Cast On

CDD

Beading with a Crochet Hook

How to Read a Knitting Chart

The Double Yarn Over

No Stitches in Knitting Chart

Decrease or Lace Bind Off

About the Designer: Mary E. Rose

Mary learned to knit as a young child and it has had an impact on her life ever since. As a teen, when her friends were getting jobs at fast food restaurants, Mary worked at her LYS, where the hours and working conditions were much better.

As with many knitters, when she couldn’t find patterns for what she wanted to knit, she started designing her own.

She currently lives in Central Ohio with her three children, who also craft. She can be found on Ravelry and her blog, or with knitting needles in hand, guarding her stash.