Kazaguruma

Kazaguruma Shawl by Alasdair Post-Quinn

What Is Being Made

Kazaguruma is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Alasdair Post-Quinn. The name derives from the Japanese word for "pinwheel," referencing both the rotating pinwheel motifs that emerge in the negative space of the design and the 8-petaled clematis flower also known by this name. This shawl combines traditional Scandinavian snowflake colorwork with an innovative tiling technique that creates visual depth and movement through clever use of positive and negative space.

Design and Colorwork Technique

The Kazaguruma shawl features a sophisticated colorwork approach that begins with a simple Scandinavian snowflake pattern. Rather than using this motif in a traditional manner, the designer has tiled the snowflakes in an intriguing arrangement. This tiling creates an optical illusion where the negative space—the areas between the snowflakes—reveals a set of rotating pinwheels. This dual-image design adds complexity and visual interest to the finished piece, making it suitable for knitters with intermediate skill who are comfortable working with two-color stranded colorwork.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This pattern employs stranded colorwork techniques, a fundamental method in Scandinavian knitting traditions. Stranded colorwork involves carrying two colors of yarn across the back of the work while knitting with the active color, creating intricate patterned fabric. The technique requires attention to tension and color dominance to ensure even fabric and clear pattern definition. The shawl is worked on a 48-inch circular needle in US 8/5 mm, which allows for the management of an increasing number of stitches as the shawl grows outward from its center or top.

Materials

• Yarn: Willow Yarns Everest in worsted weight (50% fine merino/50% microfiber blend)
• Color A (Snow): 6 balls (approximately 756 yards total)
• Color B (Violet): 6 balls (approximately 756 yards total)
• Needles: 48-inch US 8/5 mm circular needle or size needed to achieve gauge

The yarn choice of Willow Yarns Everest provides a blend of fine merino wool for warmth and breathability with microfiber for durability and easy care. The worsted weight yarn works efficiently with the US 8/5 mm needle size, creating a fabric with good drape suitable for a shawl while maintaining stitch definition necessary for colorwork patterns to read clearly.

Pattern History

Kazaguruma was originally released in 2013 as the final pattern in the Willow Yarns Colorwork Club and represents Alasdair Post-Quinn's first shawl design. The pattern rights reverted to the designer, and this version represents the re-release of this intermediate-level colorwork project for knitters seeking to expand their skills in traditional Scandinavian techniques.