Surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea, my country of origin, Italy, has always drawn life and livelihood from the sea.
Italy has always been an omnipresent element of our life, and an instrument of communication, trade, acculturation and union. From the sea came conquerors and merchants, through the sea navigators left to discover the world.
The sea has always been a symbol of welcome and encounter and has imbued Italian culture and history. Today, sadly, the Mediterranean sea also symbolizes division and death, the stage of one of the most horrible human tragedies of our history: the death of hundreds of people trying to seek a better life across the Mediterranean.
I created the minimalist motif featured in this shawl in search of a stitch pattern that reminded me of the waves of the sea, the currents seen from aerial view, the brilliant reflections of the schools of fishes that move just below the surface, and that expressed the sense of peace, infinite stillness, and eternity flowing that the sea infuses me.
Vita Maris is an asymmetrical triangular shawl, worked from the tip to the bottom edge and shaped by increases along the right edge. The central portion of the body is worked in garter stitch; the left and the bottom border are worked in the textured stitch pattern.
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Yarn
Malabrigo Sock (100% superwash merino wool; 440 yds [402 m]/100g): Polar Morn, 3 skeins
Approx. 3 skeins (1200 yds [1100m]) fingering weight yarn is required to make this design.
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And, thanks to Malabrigo for donating the yarn and also to Carol for knitting the sample!
Needle
Size US 4 (3.5mm) needles, straight or 32″ (80cm) circulars
Or size needed to obtain gauge
Gauge
22 sts and 44 rows = 4″ [10cm] in garter st
One chart rep (section in the red frame) = 2.25 x 3” [5.5 x 7.5 cm]
Size
52” [132 cm] top edge and 32” [81 cm] deep
Notions
Tapestry needle, 2 stitch markers.
Abbreviations
See the Standard Abbreviations.
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About the Designer: Stella Egidi
About the Designer: Stella EgidiIn Stella’s previous life she has been a humanitarian doctor and has worked in a variety of developing countries.
Now, she has put down roots in Rome (Italy) where she enjoys being the busy mum of two young rebels and she relaxes with knitting whenever they leave her free time.
You can find her on Ravelry.
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