This design was inspired by the total solar eclipse of 2017 and the return of light after the temporary darkness. While I was watching this stunning phenomenon, I imagined a two-color crescent shawl that transitions from dark to light, just like the progression of the eclipse. The dark shadow (the umbra) would be worked as the short row portion of the shawl in a dark yarn, and the bright returning sun light (the corona) could be created along the bottom edge with lace worked in a pale color. And so Umbra was born…

Umbra is a generously sized short row crescent shawl, worked from the top in one piece with an interesting twist - there are three separate sets of easy garter stitch short rows, which add elegant curved lines to the shawl and shape it into a deep crescent. Rows of contrasting color and narrow sections of beaded lace are worked in between the short rows, creating gradual transition from dark to light. Finally, the deep dramatic lace border is worked in the light color along the bottom edge.

To make things simple, the short row wraps can be left unworked, hidden within the garter stitch texture, and the color not in use can be carried along the right edge, minimizing the number of yarn ends. Also, the beads are optional and the lace is worked only in basic stitches, all of which makes this project easy enough for a beginner lace knitter (approx. 1100 6/0 4.00mm seed beads, optional).

Umbra was originally published in December 2018 as an exclusive part of the yarnQuest kit #5.

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