Vanuatu

Somewhere in the Pacific Ocean between Fiji and The Solomon Islands is a small island nation called Vanuatu. I’ve been there. Twice. Our plane landed on Vanuatu long enough to refuel, as it (the airplane) wasn’t big enough to make the flight all the way from Fiji to The Solomon Islands (or back again) without stopping part way between. That glorious trip was a long time ago now, but the beauty of those islands south of the equator will stay with me always. What does all this have to do with anything, you ask? It’s color. The bright turquoise and dark sand of the yarn I used for my model remind me of those lazy days in the southern hemisphere, as well as the waters, the islands, and peoples who live there.

Knitting begins at the top where short rows are worked to create the crescent shape. Once that is done the lace is worked toward the bind off edge.

• Yarn: fingering weight; 350, 425 [475, 550, 625] yards.
• Model: Fierce Fibers Abyss in Surf & Sand in third size using all except 8.6 yards; 430 yards in 100 grams; 50% merino, 50% silk.
• Gauge: 14 sts and 24 rows to 4 inches.
• Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) for gauge, US 6 (4 mm), and US 7 (4.5 mm).
• Finished sizes: 52.5 x 8.25, 61.75 x 8.75 [74 x 9.5, 81.75 x 10, 91.5 x 10.75] inches.
• Stitch instructions: Charted and written.