Today I am publishing a new “old” pattern. Solstice was originally published in June 2023 as part of the Knit Picks pattern book, Botanical Knits. Solstice Revisited is a reworking of the original pattern, giving more options for yarn weights and neck sizing whilst retaining the essential airiness of Solstice. The original Solstice was a lovely floaty shawl, with a wide neck that made it easy to slip over your head on cooler summer evenings. It was knit in laceweight yarn for a light and airy take-anywhere accessory. The very wide boat-shaped neck, however, was not practical for an all-seasons pattern. So I have revisited the design, and tweaked it to appeal to both hemispheres and all seasons. This new version can be knit in a variety of yarn weights, from lace to DK, and features three neck circumferences.
size
neck circumference
lace
light fingering/ sock
4ply/fingering
DK
1
60 cm / 24”
1,060 m / 1,160 yds
1,085 m / 1,187 yds
1,000 m / 1,094 yds
776 m / 849 yds
2
65 cm / 26”
1,090 m / 1,193 yds
1,120 m / 1,226 yds
1,035 m/ 1,133 yds
880 m / 963 yds
3
75 cm / 30”
1,117 m / 1,222 yds
1,150 m / 1,259 yds
1,056 m / 1,156 yds
880 m / 963 yds
Eden Cottage Milburn DK in ThymeHolst Garn Tides light fingering in OrchidScheepjes Woolly Whirl 4ply in Melting Mint Centre
Solstice looks lovely in a gradient, as seen in the 4ply/fingering version in Scheepjes Woolly Whirl, colourway Melting Mint Centre.
Snaeldan Lace in dark grey
Solstice Revisited is available in the Granary Knits store on both Ravelry and Payhip.
Whatever your craft, specialist tools and materials are essential. Quilters need thread, fabric, cutting tools; card makers need paper, scissors, knives, adhesives; and knitters need yarn and needles. Some knitters are focussed on each pattern or project, buy just the yarn required for the project and use it all up, leaving no “waste”. Others, like me, buy yarn without a thought as to its purpose, other than “ooh that would look lovely as a shawl”. Consequently, I have a lot of yarn – and I do mean a lot – sitting in storage boxes and chests of drawers, just waiting for the perfect project to come along.
For the last couple of years I have been making a conscious effort to use only stash yarn for anything I want to make. I have a queue of patterns waiting to be made and I promised myself I would make only those I could find yarn for in my stash. The results so far are mixed! Some patterns, like Ranunculus, instantly lent themselves to being made in a couple of balls of yarn from the depths of my stash. Others, such as The Weekender, I eventually had to buy yarn for.
But all is not lost, because making these patterns in the yarns I chose gave me a renewed interest in the yarns themselves, leading to ideas for using yarn from stash to make meaningful knitted objects. These cowls represent some of the ideas generated by the deepest of stash, yarns I have been hoarding for well over ten years, waiting for the chance to make them shine.
I love Debbie Bliss Donegal Tweeds yarns, in both Aran weight and 4ply. With its rich colours and fabulous flecks, a lot of it has found its way into my stash over the years. I have used both weights in these cowl designs, but you don’t have to – anything you have in your stash of the appropriate weight can be used.
Similarly, for the laceweight fluffy yarn, I have used several types to illustrate their value to these designs. I very much like the Silk-Alpaca laceweight by Kremke Soul Wool; it feels so soft and doesn’t shed all over your clothes as you work with it! Modern day silk-mohair yarns similarly are easy and pleasant to work with. I used both Rowan Kidsilk Haze and Debbie Bliss Angel in the designs below. A little of these yarns goes a very long way when working at a large gauge, making the cowls economical and quick to knit.
All four patterns feature resizeable options and ideas for adapting to your yarn quantities. All four are available individually and as a collection on both Ravelry and Payhip.
Airy
The first of my experiments in stashbusting designs is Airy, a cowl that uses both a standard 4ply/fingering weight yarn for strength and a fluffy laceweight silk mohair yarn for warmth and texture. Airy is very simple, can be made in any 4ply/sock/fingering/light fingering yarn, with the addition of a little silk-mohair or other fluffy laceweight. The effect is stylish, light and airy (as the name implies), great for spring or autumn days to give a little extra warmth, and knits up to any size you want quickly.
Toasty is another great stashbusting cowl, warm and cosy, and is even quicker to knit than Airy. It is a funnel-neck cowl, knit in Aran weight/worsted weight yarn held double with the silk mohair laceweight. I used silk-alpaca laceweight for one of my samples and it is dreamily soft. Two sizes are given in the pattern, depending on whether you like your funnel-neck to be close or more relaxed.
Another 4ply/fingering cowl, this time using a simple mosaic pattern to create a bubbly texture of silk mohair lace framed by the 4ply yarn. Another cowl that is easy to resize and make in any length, from short neck covering to long snood.
I love the Old Shale pattern (known in the US as Feather and Fan), and very much wanted to use it in a cowl. Wavy is the result. It can be made in any weight yarn, although 4ply + laceweight looks and feels most appealing to me.
Mabon is the eighth and final festival in the Wheel of the Year. This year, it falls on 22nd September, and is also known as the Autumnal Equinox or Harvest Home in the Northern Hemisphere, Spring Equinox in the Southern Hemisphere. The year has almost come full circle, the second harvest has finished: apples have been picked and stored, bread baked, enjoyed and shared. The year is winding down towards winter, but there are still fine days to be celebrated. Mabon is a time of contemplation, of looking back over the year that has passed and forward to the winter that is to come.
Worsted weightDK weight4ply weight
Mabon the shawl is a semicircle of texture. The pattern is a memorable sequence of stitches, rhythmic and contemplative. It can be knit in any weight of yarn; the pattern gives calculations for 4ply/fingering, DK and worsted weights. It uses short row techniques to achieve the semicircular shape and, since the shawl is worked in wedges, these can be knit in multiple colours. The samples show parti-colour (one half in teal, one in turquoise), alternating colours (one wedge in light grey, the next in darker grey), and all wedges the same colour. A page of blank schematics is provided at the end of the pattern for you to print out and experiment with choosing and placing colours.
Closer look at the texture
Four different treatments for the final unifying top edge are described.
I-cord edge in two coloursGarter edgetop: Sequence Continuation Edge bottom: Moss Stitch edge
For details of the pattern requirements, see the pattern page at either Payhip or Ravelry.
Lughnasadh is the seventh and penultimate festival in the Wheel of the Year. It falls on 1st August, and is also know as Lammas. The first harvests have been gathered in: the flax crop, the early grains, soft fruits like blackcurrants and raspberries. Time to celebrate the bounty. The year is beginning to wane, we are halfway between Litha/midsummer and Mabon/equinox. The days are still warm but shorter, evenings a little cooler.
The light fingering sample in green and gold long colour-change yarn took one 100g ball of Schoppel Wolle Zauberball, colourway Zauberwald.
Lughnasadh the shawl is an asymmetrical triangle with a memorable all-over lace pattern, knit on the bias from the pointy end, gradually increasing in width. It can be knit in any lightweight yarn, to any size, with a choice of two grounds, garter or stocking stitch/stockinette; and two cast offs, standard stretchy or crochet chain cast off.
The golden yellow sample below was knit in Eden Cottage Milburn 4ply in colourway Harvest Gold. It took 146 g / 584 m / 639 yds or just under balls of yarn.
This shawl can be made to any size. Finished sizes of the samples shown are: Light Fingering: 226 cm/90 ½” length along longest edge x 95 cm / 38” deep at its widest point. 4ply/fingering: 248 cm/99 ¼” length along longest edge x 117 cm / 46 ¾” deep at its widest point.
This pattern has both charts and written instructions. It has been thoroughly professionally tech edited, but has not been test knit except by me. Full pattern support is available by email.
For the Solstice Weekend, Friday 20th to Sunday 22nd June 2025, this pattern will be half-price, no code needed.
Litha (pronounced “LEE-tha” or “lith-ah”) is a pagan festival and the sixth celebration in the Wheel of the Year.
Litha the shawl is a three-quarters Pi circular shawl, knit in laceweight yarn for a light and airy layer. Despite their size the samples only weigh 136 g and 182 g (less than 5 ounces and less than 7 ounces).
Elbow length in John Arbon Appledore Lace
Two sizes are described, approximately elbow length and wrist length on an adult. In accordance with the principles of pi shawls (as the diameter doubles, so does the circumference) this shawl has bands of pattern interspersed at set intervals with rows of increases. The increasingly wide bands of patterning include plain stocking stitch/stockinette, daisy stitch, and a field of tiny winged insects formed by simple cables. The lace edging along both sides is initially knit with the centre pattern, then curved around the front and formed into a knitted-on edge along the hem. There is a small amount of grafting to join the two edges. The shawl begins with a tab cast on, the tab being the first repeat of the lace edge; it can be knit either from the charts or from written instructions provided in a separate file.
Wrist length in Malabrigo Lace
The two samples show the two sizes described:
John Arbon Appledore Lace, elbow length: 67 cm/26 ¾” centre back neck to rounded hem x 73 cm / 29 ¼” deep at centre back. Malabrigo Lace, wrist length: 77 cm/30 ¾” centre back neck to rounded hem x 85 cm / 34” deep at centre back.
Links to video and photo tutorials for the daisy stitch, provisional cast on and grafting are given in the pattern.
This pattern has been thoroughly professionally tech edited, but has not been test knit except by me.
This pattern is available from the Granary Knits Payhip Store and from Ravelry.
Beltane is the fifth festival in the Wheel of the Year and the anglicised form of Bealtaine, the Gaelic Mayday. The days are growing longer, the Earth has warmed, it is the beginning of Summer.
When I was a child in the South of England, our village, as well as many others in the region, held a festival with decorated floats and the Queen of the May riding around the village, culminating in a party in the central small park. There were Morris Dancers, bonfires, maidens dancing around a maypole – everything you would associate with MayDay. Even in the 1980s in Kent, Morris Dancers greeted us at the train station on MayDay morning. Morris Dancing is still a common activity here in the North of England, but it takes place all year round, at various festivals, and is not restricted to just one celebration.
As well as dancing and May Queens, Beltane ceremonies centre on the lighting of special bonfires, with all household fires doused and then re-lit from the Beltane bonfire. Fire plays an important part in the inspiration for this design, from the bonfire motif of the centre to the flickering flames of the knitted-on edges.
Beltane the shawl is an Ascot or Stole, knit in 4ply/fingering yarn for a light and airy layer. It can be knit as a short narrow Ascot/neck-warmer, or a large elegant wrap; two sizes are given for narrow Ascot or wide Stole, but any width or length could be achieved. The pattern is worked from a provisional cast on, either from the charts or written instructions. Beltane has a fixed width border on either side of an adjustable central panel; the centre panel can be repeated as many times as you wish to alter the width. The shawl can be lengthened or shortened by increasing or decreasing the number of vertical repeats of the main chart.
The pattern can be worked from charts or from written instructions and is customisable.
The Beltane pattern is available from the Granary Knits pattern stores on Ravelry and Payhip.
Ostara is the fourth festival in the Wheel of the Year. It falls on the Northern Hemisphere’s Spring Equinox, 20th March, and is also the celebration of Oestre, the goddess of fertility. Spring has arrived in the UK, leaves have appeared on many trees and shrubs, and daffodils are nodding in Spring breezes.
Ostara the shawl begins at the bottom left hand angle of a square and increases along the diagonal, the hypotenuse, with two halves of very different patterning, reflecting the equality of night and day. As it slowly grows, the leaves emerge along one edge and flowers begin to dot one half of the shawl. Folded along the centre spine it forms a warm layered shawl, opened out it becomes a lighter airy accessory for sunnier Spring days. I have chosen a lovely blend of wool and silk for this shawl, in a vibrant Spring green. Ostara can be blocked as a square, a rectangle, or a parallelogram. It can be worn in several ways: folded as a triangle along the diagonal centre stitch to show the flower side or the garter side; folded as a triangle across the diagonal to show one half flowers and one half garter; folded across the middle to make a narrower rectangle.
Ostara is an adaptable shawl, can be made to any size you choose, from a small square to a large enveloping folded triangle. Size is adjusted by repeating the main 24-row pattern; the sample shown, for instance, consists of a setup section followed by 11 repeats of the main section, and was blocked into a rectangle to give a shawl 137 cm/54 ¾” x 115 cm / 46”.
This construction lends itself readily to adaptation, and I have included, as a separate file, a lapghan pattern of the same construction but knit at a large gauge in bulky wool.
This pattern has been fully professionally tech edited, but has not been test knit except by me. Full pattern support is available by email.
Imbolc is the second Celtic celebration and the third festival in the Wheel of the Year. It falls on the first day of February, and is also celebrated as St Brigid’s Day. Winter is still gripping the islands of Britain, but there are signs of the coming of Spring and a sense that the sun will return soon. Small buds are beginning to appear on trees and shrubs, and snowdrops are emerging and flowering, half hidden in borders. The early flowers are grateful for any rain, but in February we in the north of England sometimes get too much rainfall – the old country name for February is Fill-dyke referring to the overflowing ditches along rural roads.
Imbolc the shawl is a delicate beaded crescent/triangle hybrid, equally at home at a winter party or snuggled up beside a log fire. Its design suggests the rain using beads, as well as the promise of Spring in the bud motifs of its border. It is knit in 4ply/fingering weight yarn, and can be made in any size by repeating the main pattern, before working the border. Both charts and written instructions are provided.
Materials Any 4ply/fingering weight yarn with good stitch definition and drape. The sample was knit in Eden Cottage Yarns Milburn 4ply; 85% Bluefaced Leicester 15% silk; 50 g per 200 m/ 218 yds; both the Fichu and Large Shawl are shown in shade Natural, using 1 and 4 balls respectively. 4 mm /#6 beads (optional); the sample beads are Debbie Abrahams in colour 34 Silver-lined Clear.
Tools 4 mm [US size 6] circular needle (for knitting flat), minimum 60 cm / 24” in length (or size required to obtain gauge). Crochet hook size 1 mm [UK size 4, US size 10] or beading needle (optional). Stitch markers, as many as you find helpful. Tapestry needle for weaving in ends. Blocking mat and pins (optional but recommended).
Tension 19 sts and 36 rows = 10 cm / 4” on 4 mm [US size 6] needles, over the reverse stocking stitch and beaded twisted stitch pattern after washing and blocking.
Finished size Four sizes are described, but a larger shawl is possible if desired. I have named these sizes Fichu (Shawlette, Medium Shawl, Large Shawl). The table below shows approximate sizes and quantities of yarn and beads. Finished size of the two samples (smallest and largest) shown are: Size 1 Fichu: 140 cm / 56” length along top x 26 cm / 10 ¼” deep at widest point. Size 4 Large Shawl: 254 cm / 101 ¼” length along top x 48 cm / 19 ¼” deep at widest point.
This pattern has been fully professionally tech edited, but has not been test knit except by me. Full pattern support is available by email. The pattern is available as a PDF from the Granary Knits stores on Ravelry and on Payhip.
Yule is the second pattern in The Wheel of the Year Collection.
Yule is a time of celebration, a time to feast on the riches the earth has provided throughout the year and stored against a harsh winter. Yule, originally a twelve-day festival, in modern times occurs on (or around) 21st December and is also known as the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere. The Holly King is now in the ascendant, and the design of the Yule Shawl reflects his reign.
Yule is a circular loose-fitting cape, knit in the round using an Aran weight yarn for warmth. The relaxed fit caters for a wide range of sizes, and allows plenty of room for arms to move. It has an all-over pattern of branches and holly berries, and an edge reminiscent of the holly leaf. The background to the pattern is garter in the round, and the branches are formed with a combination of slipped stitches, slipped travelling stitches, and knots. The travelling stitches can be worked with or without a cable needle.
Sizes given in the pattern: teen chest size: 70 – 99 cm / 28 – 39 ¾” medium adult chest size: 100 – 125 cm / 40 – 50” large adult chest size: 126 – 150 cm / 50 ½ – 60”
Yarn requirements for the three sizes: teen 750 m / 820 yds medium adult 830 m / 908 yds large adult 950 m / 1,039 yds
Depth of the cape is the same for all sizes, 56 cm / 22 ½”, but may be lengthened (or shortened a little) as described in the instructions.
The sample is shown in Medium Adult size; neck circumference 53 cm / 21 ¼”, length from neck to hem 56 cm / 22 ½”.
This pattern has been thoroughly and professionally tech edited, but has not been test knit except by me. Full pattern support is available by email.
In addition to the pattern instructions, I have produced a photo tutorial for making the knots on the surface and along the edge of the cape.
The Wheel of the Year is an annual cycle of seasonal festivals, observed by a range of modern pagans, marking the year’s chief solar events (solstices and equinoxes) and the midpoints between them. The Wheel of the Year was devised in the mid-20th century to combine the four solar events or quarter days marked by many European peoples, with the four seasonal festivals or cross-quarter days celebrated by Celtic peoples of the British Isles. Different paths of modern Paganism may vary regarding the precise timing of each celebration, based on such distinctions as the lunar phase and geographic hemisphere.
Observing the cycle of the seasons has been important to many people, both ancient and modern. Modern pagan festivals that rely on the Wheel are based to varying degrees on folk traditions, regardless of actual historical pagan practices. Some Wiccans use the term sabbat to refer to each festival.
In many traditions of modern paganism all things are considered to be cyclical, with time as a perpetual cycle of growth and retreat tied to the Sun’s annual death and rebirth. The days that fall on the landmarks of the yearly cycle traditionally mark the beginnings and middles of the four seasons. These eight festivals are the most significant times for community celebrations.
I was inspired to design this series of accessories, in part, by my close proximity to the seasonal cycles of growth (germinating seeds, growing fruit and vegetables, living in a sustainable way) and decay (composting, regrowth). I live a fairly agrarian existence, in the countryside away from urban populations, and I feel the turning of the year keenly.
The designs for this series of shawl and cowl patterns are inspired by the eight Wiccan / Pagan festivals or Sabbats, celebrated at key points in the calendar, plus a ninth design encompassing the whole cycle. I am not a follower of the religious practices but find that the festivals marked in the calendar resonate with me and my connection to the Earth and the landscape in which I live.
The Cycle begins with Samhain, the end of Autumn and the beginning of Winter in the northern hemisphere.
Wheel Image courtesy of CarlCastel, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Samhain
The celebration of Autumn’s end. The veil between the worlds is thin at this time, the year is dying.
Samhain (/ˈsɑːwɪn/) is the name of a traditional Gaelic festival held around 1 November. The name and date were adopted by Wiccans for one of their four Greater Sabbats. It closely matches Halloween (31 October) and the two festivals are intertwined. For Wiccans, Samhain is a time to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, and it often involves paying respect to ancestors, family members, elders of the faith, friends, pets, and other loved ones who have died. Aligned with the contemporary observance of Halloween and Day of the Dead, in some traditions the spirits of the departed are invited to attend the festivities. It is seen as a festival of darkness, which is balanced at the opposite point of the Wheel by the festival of Beltane, which is celebrated as a festival of light and fertility. Many neopagans believe that the veil between this world and the afterlife is at its thinnest point of the year at Samhain, making it easier to communicate with those who have departed.
Some authorities claim the Christian festival of All Hallows Day (All Saints Day) and the preceding evening are appropriations of Samhain by early Christian missionaries to the British Isles.
The Design
My interpretation of Samhain is of simplicity. It can be made as a cowl, using a single precious skein of 4ply/fingering yarn, or as a shawl. It can be knit in any weight of yarn, and can be made as long as you wish. As befits the time of the year, it gives warmth where it is needed. I chose reds and oranges for my samples, as well as a light grey reminiscent of misty autumn days.
Bulky weightDK weightlight fingering/sock weight
More information on the pattern and links to Ravelry and Payhip stores can be found on the pattern page. The pattern was published on 31st October 2024.
The next pattern will be Yule, published on 21st December 2024.
