Even though it recently snowed three inches here, the sun is starting to make its appearace. Beneath the cold, wet mantle of the winter, life is stirring; the sap is beginning to flow. And so it is with the string that entwines our lives.

It’s time to put away the beautiful bulkies that so enchanted a few short months ago, and dress our needles with something light and lovely and bursting with spring.

Shawl knitting patterns are great for staving off the chill of spring while still being a colorful welcome to the new season, and we have just the project for you! The Spring Kerchief by Sachiko Uemura is a delectable stockinette triangular shawl that is knit throughout with two strands of lace-weight yarn. I used Manos Lace Rhiannon and Rowan Fine Lace in white for the border.

Sachiko recommends dividing your yarn into separate balls before beginning the project (I knit from both ends of a center pull ball until an estimated 1/3 of the first color was remaining), and then, by combining the first color with one strand of the second, you create a marled band until your first color runs out. At that point, two strands of the second yarn and a switch to garter stitch creates an architecturally pleasing border.

In the pattern, Sachiko calls for a switch to a smaller needle for the garter section, which is definitely a good idea. I went down to a 00 and can just imagine the unwanted flounce I would have had if I’d not done that. When it was off the needles, I was so anxious to get it blocked and around my neck, that I simply pinned the corners out using my fabulous Knitters Pride Knit Blockers.

The finished product is just what I was hoping for. It absolutely embodies that moment in May when the sun is warming your face, a gentle breeze flicks at your back, and the smell of lilacs is in the air.

And, there are so many beautiful lace weight yarns to choose from! Honestly, though, I have had my eye on Manos Lace Rhiannon for quite a while, so it made perfect sense for me to go with that and a Rowan Fine Lace in white for the border.

Juniper Moon Findley or Findley Dappled would be a treat to work with as would Baby Alpaca Lace from Plymouth.

There are two colors of SweetGeorgia Merino Silk Lace that I’ve already added to my queue (Project #347).

There’s another really great thing about this pattern. It’s free! So, think spring and let the knitting begin!