Harakeke

Harakeke Knitted Shawl by Mary-Anne Mace

What Is Being Made

Harakeke is a triangular knitted shawl designed by Mary-Anne Mace, an independent knitwear designer. The shawl draws inspiration from the native New Zealand flax plant, known locally as harakeke, with its distinctive tall flower stalks and alternating blooms. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a garment that captures the visual essence of these majestic botanical forms through textile design.

Construction Method

The Harakeke shawl begins at one tip with just 3 stitches and expands along one edge to form a triangle. This top-down construction method allows the shawl to grow organically from a single point, with the motifs emerging from the top edge as the knitter works downward. The expanding triangle shape creates a versatile wrap that can be worn in multiple ways.

Stitch Techniques and Patterns

The shawl features a simple repeating stitch pattern that forms the visual interest of the finished piece. Mary-Anne Mace has employed a twig pattern that transforms into a leaf pattern as the knitter progresses. These motifs work together to create the illusion of tall flower stalks, mimicking the natural appearance of harakeke plants in bloom. The pattern is described as relatively easy to execute, making it accessible despite its elegant visual impact.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern is designed for 4-ply yarn weight, which provides a delicate, refined fabric suitable for a shawl. The 4-ply weight allows the stitch patterns to display clearly while creating a fabric with good drape and fluidity. Standard knitting needles appropriate for 4-ply yarn are required to complete this project.

Skill Level

Harakeke is rated as an intermediate difficulty pattern. While the repeating stitch patterns are straightforward and the construction method is logical, knitters should have foundational skills in reading patterns and managing increases to successfully complete this shawl.

Design Inspiration

The pattern celebrates the harakeke plant native to New Zealand, known for its distinctive fan of sword-like leaves rising from a central base and its unusual curving flowers borne alternately on very tall stalks. By translating botanical forms into knitted texture, Mary-Anne Mace invites knitters to see familiar plants with fresh perspective, transforming everyday natural inspiration into wearable art.