Power and Parallels

Power and Parallels Shawl by Destiny Itano

Project Overview

Power and Parallels is a triangle shawl designed by Destiny Itano that combines functional knitting with meaningful visual storytelling. This intermediate-level knitting project features a graphic slipped stitch pattern inspired by two powerful natural and cultural forces: maps and waterways. Both elements have profoundly shaped the history of the Duwamish Territory, making this shawl not only a beautiful accessory but also a culturally significant wearable.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a triangle shawl—a versatile garment shape that drapes elegantly around the shoulders and can be worn in multiple ways. The triangular construction grows from a small cast-on edge to a wider top edge, creating a garment that works as both a practical wrap and a statement piece. The shawl's visual impact comes from its graphic slipped stitch pattern, which creates distinct lines and texture variations across the fabric.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Power and Parallels shawl employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques that create visual interest and structural integrity:

• Slipped stitch patterning: This technique involves slipping stitches rather than knitting them, which creates elongated stitches and graphic lines in the fabric. Slipped stitches are often worked with contrasting colors to enhance the visual pattern and create the map-like and waterway-inspired designs featured in this shawl.
• Increases: The pattern uses M1R (make 1 right) and M1L (make 1 left) increases to shape the triangle. These are lifted increases, created by lifting the strand between stitches and knitting through it, which creates minimal visible holes and maintains a neat appearance in the finished fabric.
• Color work: The design incorporates a main color (MC) and contrasting color (CC) in two different skeins, allowing the slipped stitch pattern to create visual contrast and definition.
• Marker placement: Stitch markers are used to track pattern repeats and shaping sections, helping knitters maintain accuracy throughout the project.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and stitches including:

• K: Knit stitch, the fundamental knitting stitch
• Sl: Slip stitch, used to create the graphic pattern effects
• M1R and M1L: Make 1 right and make 1 left increases for shaping
• PM: Place marker to track pattern sections
• CO: Cast on, the foundation row of stitches
• St(s): Stitch or stitches

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Power and Parallels shawl is designed to be worked in Berroco Ultra Wool Fine, a 4-ply weight yarn composed of 100% superwash wool. The sample shown in the pattern uses two skeins in contrasting colors, with a total yardage of 400 yards (366 meters) and a total weight of 100 grams per skein. Superwash wool is ideal for shawl projects because it offers durability, elasticity, and easy care—the superwash treatment allows the finished shawl to be machine washed, making it practical for regular wear and maintenance.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and simple shaping but are ready to tackle more complex stitch patterns and color techniques. The combination of slipped stitch patterning with two colors and strategic increases requires attention to pattern reading and stitch placement, but the techniques themselves are within reach of experienced beginners and intermediate knitters.

Pattern Format

Power and Parallels is provided as a downloadable PDF pattern, allowing knitters to access the full instructions, glossary, and any accompanying charts or diagrams digitally. The pattern includes technical editing by Joanna Fromstein and photography by Vivienne Shen and Destiny Itano, providing visual references for the finished project and construction details.