Heliantheae Shawl Knitting Pattern

Heliantheae is the third largest tribe in the sunflower family, with the name derived from the genus Helianthus, which is Greek for sunflower. Each “flower” of a sunflower is actually a disc made up of many flowers - tiny disc florets in the center and ray florets on the outside. While the majority of sunflowers are typically yellow and produce dark brown to black seeds, they can be found in a variety of other colors including orange, red, purple and maroon.

This top-down, two-color, 7/8ths of a circle shawl starts with a small garter tab followed by trinity stitch and scattered beads to mimic the disc florets. Once the disc florets are complete, the ray florets grow, and they slowly separate into individual petals.

Yarn

Knit Picks Shadow (100% Merino Wool; 440 yds [402 m]/ 50 g): Redwood Forest (MC), 1 skein, Goldrush Tonal (CC), 2 skeins.

Needle/Hook

Size US 5 (3.75mm) 60" (160cm) circular needles

Size 16 (0.6mm) hook

Or size needed to obtain gauge

Size

24" [61cm] long and 49" [125cm] diameter

100" [254cm] bottom circumference

Gauge

24 sts and 26 rows = 4" [10cm] in patt after blocking

Notions

744 size 8/0 seed beads in topaz (Color A)

644 size 8/0 seed beads in yellow (Color B)

Tapestry needle, stitch markers.

Scrap yarn for provisional cast-on.