Catching Butterflies

I like to collect pretty things, but catching actual butterflies isn’t going about it my way. I prefer to capture their shape and beauty using a Japanese butterfly lace, accentuated with a purled background and arranged to adorn a shawl.

This triangular shawl is knitted with increases in the middle and along the edges. The pattern is charted. Yarn requirements are variable. Use needle size that gives you a nice lacy effect. Two versions are included, one with butterflies everywhere and one with a purled start, both can easily be adjusted in size. Stitchmarkers are optional.

Yellow shawl is knitted in Madelinetosh Prairie [100% Merino, 840 yd/768 m per 114g skein] it used 91 grams knitted on 3 mm (US 2½) needles. Gauge: 22 stitches = 10 cm in Butterflies chart. Blocked size is 145 x 70 cm (57 x 28 inches).

Purple shawl is knitted in Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light [100% merino, 420 yd/384 m per 100g skein] it used 103 grams knitted on 3.5 mm (US 4) needles. Gauge: 18 stitch