Rosetta Tharpe

Ms. Tharpe is not well known, but those who do know her call her the Godmother of Rock & Roll. Born in 1915, she was a gospel performer of great sophistication and skill, but also had rather a way with a guitar. This shawl is like Ms. Tharpe – classic in origin & inspiration, drawing on simple elements, but coming together in way that’s both elegant & bad-ass at the same time.

It’s based on the Pi shaping: starts at the center with 9 stitches, with an increase round to double the stitch count every so often. The edging pattern is flexible: work until you’re out of yarn, or the shawl is the size you want, or you just want to wear it. Only basic lace knitting skills are needed, and it's worked in the round, there’s no pesky purling. The only tricky bit is the start: you begin with a small round, but that’s over quickly. Wear it folded over your shoulders like a triangle, or fully open for more drama.

Substitute any worsted/aran weight yarn that has some substance and drape.