Thrift shawl

Thrift is a wildflower that grows by the saltmarshes of Mersea Island off the Essex coast. It has pink flowers, clustered together at the top of long stalks, and each flower has five petals. As ‘thrift’ also means to avoid wastefulness, it was used as an emblem on the British 3d (threepenny-bit) between 1937 and 1953.

Thrift is knitted from the point at the lower edge, increasing sts at each side. The pattern is worked in slipped and twisted sts on a background of garter stitch. The edging is a simple applied i-cord. The optional flowers are crocheted and sewn on.