Tesserae

Tesserae are the small tiles used in the creation of mosaics, traditionally these would have been stone, although other materials can be used. The name ‘tessera’ comes from the Roman world (albeit by Latinising a Greek word), literally meaning four-sided.

This shawl, using simple slip-stitch techniques and by combining colours, creates a textured and patterned fabric. Only one yarn is worked per row. The half-circle shawl is worked flat, the full-circle is worked in the round.

Yarn
The shawl is designed for heavy lace, light fingering or fingering weight yarn (2, 3 or 4 Ply) and uses three shades.

Recommended yarns include:

Lace: Lotus (Trendsetter) Mimi, Wollmeise Lace-Garn
Fingering: Ginger’s Hand Dyed Splendor 4 Ply, Old Maiden Aunt Merino / Cashmere / Nylon 4 Ply.

For the Half-Circle Version: MC - 300 yds / 275 m, CC1 - 300 yds / 275 m, CC2 - 300 yds / 275 m.

For the Full-Circle Version: MC - 656 yds / 600 m, CC1 - 437 yds / 400 m, CC2 - 437 yds / 400 m.

Gauge
With Laceweight - 20 stitches & 36 rows in 4” / 10 cm in stocking stitch (after blocking)
With Fingering Weight - 18 stitches & 30 rows in 4” / 10 cm in stocking stitch (after blocking)

Sizes
With Laceweight - Half-Circle: 50” x 18” (125 x 46 cm), Full-Circle: 36” (92 cm) diameter.
With Fingering Weight - Half-Circle: 54” x 23” (137 x 59 cm), Full-Circle: 46” (118 cm) diameter.

You will also need 3.5 mm / US 4 needles (circular needle required for full-circle version), 4 (8) stitchmarkers, tapestry needle.