Adiantum

The stranded colourwork foliate motifs were designed with fresh sprigs of thyme in mind. Since ancient times, thyme has been an emblem of steadfastness because the word for thyme (thymus) sounded like the word for courage (thymos). In the Middle Ages, women embroidered favours with thyme sprigs for battle-bound knights.

We all need courage these days, so consider this a token for your own fortitude. Adiantum is named after the maidenhair fern genus, whose fronds radiate just like the sprigs on this yoke.

Knit in the round from the bottom up in a light but woolly 4-ply, Adiantum is the consummate spring layering piece for unpredictable days.

This pattern was originally published in Pom Pom Quarterly Issue 28 in Spring 2019.

Sizes: Six sizes as shown in schematic (see photos)

Materials: Yarn: Woollenflower Masgot Fine (fingering / 4-ply weight; 100% wool; 200m / 218yds per 50g skein) Yarn A: Natural (undyed); 5 (5, 6, 6, 7, 7) skeins Yarn B: Buckthorn & Indigo; 1 skein