Product Description
Pourquoi Stories, porquoi means why in French, are also known as origin stories and include Australian Aboriginal dreamtimes stories, Alamat or legend stories from the Phillippines and Tinga Tinga Tales from African Cultures. They explain why certain animals are the way they are, for example why a tiger has stripes, a snake has no legs or the camel has a hump. I love crescent scarves and shawls, so easy to wear and fun to make, but…I have always hated the hump that can form, especially when it doesn’t block out. This top down crescent shawl/scarf is no exception, but this time it is intentional and the hump is emphasized in the knitting through slower increases and then folds over to become a design element.
Pourquoi Crescent Shawl by Mary E Rose Designs
What Is Being Made
The Pourquoi is a top-down crescent shawl and scarf designed by Mary E Rose. Inspired by pourquoi stories—origin tales that explain natural phenomena, such as why a camel has a hump—this design intentionally features a distinctive hump as a central design element rather than treating it as an undesirable outcome. The finished shawl measures 59 inches wide and 14 inches deep when the hump is folded, making it a versatile accessory suitable for everyday wear.
Knitting Techniques and Construction
This intermediate-level knitting project uses a top-down construction method, which allows knitters to begin at the crown of the shawl and work outward and downward. The defining characteristic of the Pourquoi design is its intentional shaping through controlled increases. Rather than using standard increase rates, the pattern employs slower increases in specific sections to create the signature hump that becomes a focal point of the design. Once knitting is complete, the hump folds over deliberately, transforming what is traditionally considered a knitting challenge into a celebrated design feature. This approach demonstrates how shaping techniques can be used creatively to produce distinctive silhouettes.
Stitches and Stitch Work
While specific stitch names are not detailed in the pattern documentation provided, the construction relies on fundamental knitting increases to achieve the shawl's unique shaping. The slower increase rates in designated areas create the pronounced hump, while the crescent shape itself is achieved through strategic shaping across the width of the piece as it grows from the top down.
Materials and Yarn Specifications
The Pourquoi is designed to be worked in 4-ply fingering weight yarn. The recommended yarn is Cascade Melilla Fingering, a luxury blend composed of 45% silk and 35% wool, which provides both drape and elasticity ideal for shawl construction. The silk content contributes to the fabric's fluid movement and sheen, while the wool provides structure and warmth. This fiber composition makes the finished shawl suitable for layering and elegant enough for special occasions.
Difficulty Level
Rated as an intermediate project, the Pourquoi is appropriate for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore shaping techniques and top-down construction methods. The pattern requires understanding of increases and the ability to follow directional shaping instructions, making it an excellent project for developing more advanced garment construction skills.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | 4 Ply |
| Pages: | 0 |
| Designer: | Mary E Rose Designs |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your experience.