Norne Yarn indie dyer Tuva is a Viking history fanatic and the names of her colourways are evocative of Norwegian myths and legends, which I found fascinating when I first discovered her yarn. While browsing the Internet for insights into Viking history, I fell in awe of the Gokstad ship, which is on display at the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo.
The general shape of the Gokstad shawl is reminiscent of a cross section of the ship’s hull.

The shawl features a brioche stitch prow, as bold as the Viking ship’s hypnotic woodwork, and two-colour garter stitch segments divided by ropes of slipped stitches, as if the ship was ready to sail.
The sea of cables recreates the pattern of a belt strap end that was found among other treasures that had been buried with this 9th century ship.

Yarn
Fingering weight
MC1 : 380m
MC2 : 380m
CC : 380m)

Sample shown in a Norne Yarn Gokstad kit : “Rollo is pining for the fjords”
Main colour 1 : Norne Yarn BFL/ Silk / Cashmere fingering (100g/400m) in the Thor’s Wrath colourway
Contrasting colours 1 to 5 : Norne Yarn Mini skein set (100% BFL, 5x20g / 400m) in the The Nine Billow-Maidens colourway
Main colour 2 : Norne Yarn BFL/ Silk / Cashmere fingering (100g/400m) in the Lord of the Isles colourway

Tuva wears a shawl she knit with her “Build high the pyre” kit.

Needles and notions
3,5mm/US4 circular needles
Cable needle
Tapestry needle
markers

Gauge
22 sts and 44 rows = 10cm/4in in garter stitch after blocking

Finished measurements
180 cm wingspan, 70 cm from cast on edge to centre tip.