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Samhain

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The celebration of Autumn’s End occurs on 31 October/1 November and is called Samhain, All Hallows Eve/All Hallows, or Halloween. In the Wheel of the Year it is traditionally a more sombre celebration; a time for bonfires, to honour the ancestors, and for contemplation when entering the quiet part of the year. A time when the earth sleeps and humans (and animals) need warmth and shelter. A snug triangular shawl or cowl will keep you warm until the year turns and the earth awakens.


Samhain (pronounced Sa-win) is a right-angled triangle knit from the pointy end, which can be made in any size, from casual cowl, to large shawl, and in any weight of yarn. It can be made in one or two colours and, because of the double-sided construction, it is very warm. Use its shape and drape to showcase a treasured brooch or shawl pin to form the cowl, or tie a casual knot. The instructions given cover single colour construction and two-colour construction, and the samples show the effects of various weights of yarn and colour choices.


Samhain is a nice rhythmic knit, with increases along one side only, an integrated i-cord edge, and a neat i-cord bind off.


I used 4 different weights and types of yarn for the samples, to show the versatility of this pattern:

Sock yarn cowl: The Fabulous Mr G Donegal Merino; 4ply/fingering; superwash plied; 100 g, 400 m / 437 yds; 1 skein (400 m / 437 yds) in Pumpkin Harvest.

4ply/fingering shawl: Malabrigo Sock; 100% merino wool, superwash plied; 100 g, 402 m / 440 yds; 2 skeins ( 804 m / 880 yds) in 850 Archangel.

DK cowl: Bluebell Yarns BFL Shetland Alpaca; DK; 40% Shetland, 40% BFL, 20% Alpaca; nonsuperwash plied; 100g, 230 m / 251 yds; approx. 115 m / 126 yds each of Pumpkin Spice and Autumn Forest.

Bulky cowl: Malabrigo Mecha; 100% merino wool, superwash single; 100g, 119 m / 130 yds; approx. 200 m / 219 yds in 009 Polar Morn.


Samhain can be made to any size you want. A single skein of 4ply/fingering gives a good sized cowl to showcase a shawl pin or treasured brooch. Two skeins of 4ply yields a large shawl. The bulky weight version, shown here in Malabrigo Mecha (colour Polar Morn), knits up really quickly and takes less than 2 skeins of yarn.


Further details of the samples shown here can be found on my website, together with photo tutorials for some of the techniques used.


This pattern has been thoroughly professionally tech edited, but has not been test knit except by me. Full pattern support is available by emailing me at the address supplied in the pattern.


Samhain is also available on Ravelry.



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