Messalina

This shawl design was born from the visits and adventures I enjoy with my family at Hadrian's Wall. The Wall began construction is AD 122 and marked the end of the Romans conquest of Britain. Nearly 2000 years later a startling array of ancient buildings remain to visit and explore. Messalina was the third wife of the Roman Emperor Nero, who ruled the vast Roman Empire as their newly conquered province of Britannia began to develop. The cable running through the shawl signifies Hadrian's Wall, and the twisted ribbing is the soldiers who manned it. The two side panels represent the lands that lay beyond.

Messalina is a crescent shaped shawl knit from the top down, and has the option for stocking stitch or garter stitch on the side panels. It works well for both women and men. It is a simple knit, but the centre panel keeps the knit interesting and makes it a very quick and enjoyable project.