Two Years in the Making

It's hard to believe, but it really did take me two years to get one design from an initial chart to a finished pattern!

But let's start at the beginning!

About three years ago the family and I went to see a movie and when everyone else was gushing about the songs and the animation on the way home, all I was thinking was "that would make a great shawl design!"

The idea got left on the back burner for a while as I had other commitments to make, but kept coming to the front of my mind when I would finish another project up.

I always knew I wanted to be able to offer it in "Mommy and Me" sizing so it could be used as a "dress up" piece for a special girl and a statement piece for the adult as well.

Last year I finished the pattern writing and reached out to Melody of Arrowhead Fibers about collaborating on shawl kits...and real life struck! Floods and illnesses, time needed for family emergencies and trying to coordinate timing meant, well...the project went back to being a "someday" pattern.

Some day...is today!

About the pattern:

Inspired by the magical ray that appeared in an animated movie, this shawl starts at the very tip of the tail and grows through the fins with inserts and short row shaping to create fins that hug your shoulders, allowing for this piece to stay on, with or without a shawl pin!

The Manta Ray, in real life, which can reach sizes in excess of 20 feet wide, is the largest ray and one of the largest fish in the world. The smaller Sting Ray can be as small as 10 inches [25cm] in width.

Manta Ray:

Size: 26 inch drop/ 60 inch wingspan (66 cm by 153 cm)
MC: Knit Picks Stroll Glimmer 70% Merino Wool, 25% Nylon, 5% Metallic, 231 yards {211 meters}/50 gms {1.76 ounces} 3 balls, shown in Blush
CC: Knit Picks Stroll 75% Merino Wool, 25% Nylon, 231 yards {211 meters} 50 gms {1.76 ounces} 3 balls, shown in Ash

Sting Ray:

Size: 24 inch drop/ 44 inch wingspan (60 by 112 cm)
MC: Arrow Head Fibers Basic Sock 75 Merino Wool, 25% Nylon 463 yd {423 meters}/100 gms {3.53 ounces} Shown in Silver Fox, 1 skein
CC: Arrow Head Fibers Sparkle Sock 75% SuperwashMerino, 20% Nylon, 5% Silver Toned Stellina 438 yds {400 meters} 100 gms {3.53 ounces}











US Size 6 {4mm} circular needle at least 40 inches {100 cm} long
Cable needle.
Large eyed tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge: 22 sts and 32 rows to 4 inches {10 cm} in lace/cable pattern

Pattern includes both charts and fully written line by line instructions.








Kits, including yarn and a  pdf of the pattern, can be purchased through Arrowhead Fibers.

Or...the pattern alone can be purchased in my Ravelry Store and soon on Love Crafts and Etsy.