Diamond dust is a ground-level “cloud” composed of crystals of ice. Also called ice crystals, diamond dust generally forms under clear skies. It is most commonly seen in Antarctica, and this type of precipitation may continue for several days without interruption.
A massif is a section of the earth’s crust that is marked by faults. When the crust moves, a massif retains its internal structure while being moved as a whole. The term is used to refer to a group of mountains formed in this way.
Mount Vinson is the highest peak in Antarctica, at 16,050 feet (4,892 m). The massif is about 750 miles (1,200 km) from the South Pole and is about 13 miles (21 km) long and 8.1 miles (13 km) wide. It was named after Carl Vinson, a U.S. congressman from Georgia. The Vinson Massif was first seen in 1958 and first climbed in 1966. As of February 2010, 1,400 climbers have attempted to reach the top of Mount Vinson.
This piece combines classic hex-mesh and leaves, along with stylized ice floats and sea creatures. It is a full circle/hexagon with an opening that wraps around the wearer like a cloak.
401⁄2" (103 cm) wide and 161⁄2" (42 cm) long at center back, blocked and relaxed.
Laceweight (#0 lace).
Shown here: Cascade Alpaca Lace (100% baby alpaca; 437 yd [400 m]/ 50 g): #1413 Silver, 2 skeins.
Size U.S. 2 (2.75 mm): 40" (100 cm) circular (cir). Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.
Smooth waste yarn; 25 g Toho 8/0 Japanese seed beads in silver-lined matte crystal AB with square holes #TB-F635; size U.S. 14 (0.6 mm) steel crochet hook, or size to fit beads; size U.S. 0 (1.75 mm) steel crochet hook for bind-off; markers (optional); tapestry needle; stainless T-pins; blocking mats; four 60" (152.5 cm) lengths of blocking wire.
32 sts and 28 rows = 4" (10 cm) over St st, blocked and relaxed.
Beads: See Techniques.
Gathered Crochet Bind-Off: See Techniques
A word about slipping selvedge stitches: Don’t! This piece was designed to block freely and slipped selvedge stitches will create a less flexible edge.
With waste yarn, CO 3 sts.
Knit 13 rows.
Next row: K3, do not turn, but rotate piece 90 degrees to right, then pick up and purl 6 sts along left side edge (1 st in each garter ridge). Turn work another 90 degrees right and pick up and knit 3 sts in provisional CO, removing waste yarn—12 sts. Turn work.
Next row: (RS) Working chart A, beg at right edge of Row 1, k3, (k1tbl, yo) 5 times, k1tbl, k3—17 sts.
Next row: Beg row 2 at left edge of chart, k3, p1tbl (k1, p1tbl) 5 times, k3.
Work Rows 3–34 of chart A as established—149 sts.
Work Rows 35–68 of chart B—269 sts.
Work Rows 69–78 of chart C—379 sts.
Work Rows 79–90 of chart D—457 sts.
Work Rows 91–112 of chart E—484 sts.
Work Rows 113–138 of chart F—688 sts.
BO row: (RS) Gather 3, ch 7, *[gather 4, ch 7] 6 times, [gather 3, ch 7] 13 times, [gather 4, ch 7] 14 times; rep from * 4 more times, [gather 4, ch 7] 6 times, [gather 3, ch 7] 13 times, [gather 4, ch 7] 6 times, gather 3, pulling yarn through all loops on hook, ch 1. Cut yarn leaving a 9" (23 cm) tail, pull tail through rem st.
Weave in ends but do not trim. Soak in cool water until fully saturated (about 30 minutes). Press to remove water, roll in a towel, and blot to remove extra water.
Weave one long blocking wire along top edge, and 3 more long blocking wires through crochet loops along bottom edge. Pin shawl out to schematic measurements. Allow to dry completely. Shawl will relax to finished measurements after removing pins. Trim ends.
Note: Stitches shaded purple are duplicated for ease of following the two halves of the chart; work the shaded stitches only once.
