The Summer Day Shawl Pattern

Inspired by Mary Oliver’s poem, The Summer Day, this shawl features swaths of stockinette and butterfly stitch accented with eyelet rows, evocative of the movement described in one of Oliver’s signature works. I-cord edges create a polished finish surrounding the shawl’s interior flow, bordered on each end with cross stitch and garter ridge sections. Choose two skeins of one color and a third contrast to create a color block or faded shawl, or use three of the same color to knit as a solid. This generous rectangular wrap is a soothing rhythmic knit, and is easily customizable by varying the number of section repeats or alternating color sections. It’s perfect for cool evenings and over air-conditioned spaces in the summer, and can double as a scarf year round.

Kits featuring Moondrake Co. Merino Linen are available here. Other yarns that would work well for this shawl are Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light and Manos del Uruguay Fino. We will send a PDF download of patterns purchased from this website after checkout is complete; pattern is also available on Ravelry.

Yarn: Moondrake Co. Merino Linen, fingering, 90% superwash merino/10% linen, 393 yds/100 g. 3 skeins; or approximately 1100 yards of any fingering weight yarn. Fade sample shown in Antique (MC) and Frozen (CC); color block sample shown in Denim (MC) and Sky (CC).

Needles: US 7/4.5 mm, 24” circular, or size needed to obtain gauge
Other notions: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends; two optionals markers

Finished Dimensions: 15” wide x 98” long. Length is customizable; continue The Butterfly Repeat, leaving approximately 30 grams of the finishing colorway for the final cross stitch/garter ridge border.

Gauge (measured in stockinette): 24 sts x 32 rows= 4”/10cm. Gauge is not crucial here but will impact yardage requirements and finished size.