Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest peak on the African continent. It has three dormant volcanic cones: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. Located in Tanzania, it has the distinction of being the highest freestanding mountain in the world. Kibo is the highest of the peaks, at 19,341 feet (5,895 m) above sea level. The first documented ascent was in 1889. This project uses typical lace techniques along with beads and nupps. The patterning is evocative of both flora and fauna, with leaves, feathers, berries, flowers, and spiderwebs. This project is for the adventurous lace knitter.
35" (89 cm) wide and 17" (43 cm) long at center back.
Laceweight (#0 Lace).
Shown here: Knitwhits Freia Handpaints Ombre Lace (75% wool, 25% nylon; 645 yd [590 m]/ 75 g): Grapevine, 1 skein.
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; 20 g Toho 8/0 Japanese seed beads in purple-lined rainbow rosaline #TB928; markers (optional); size U.S. 14 (0.6 mm) crochet hook, or size to fit beads; size U.S. 0 (1.75 mm) steel crochet hook for bind-off; tapestry needle; stainless T-pins; blocking mats; one 60" (152.5 cm) length of blocking wire.
24 sts = 4" (10 cm) over St st, blocked and relaxed. Please take time to check gauge so you do not run short of yarn.
Beads: 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
Gathered Crochet Bind-Off: See Techniques
Nupps: See Techniques
CO 3 sts using provisional method (see Techniques).
Knit 17 rows.
Next row: K3, do not turn, but rotate piece 90 degrees right, then pick up and purl 8 sts along the 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—14 sts. Turn.
Row 1: (RS) Beg at right edge of chart A, work Row 1—9 sts inc’d.
Row 2: (WS) Beg at left edge of chart A, work Row 2.
Work Rows 3–32 in established patt—141 sts.
Work Rows 33–48 of chart B—271 sts.
Work Rows 49–88 of chart C—409 sts.
Work Rows 89–124 of chart D—573 sts.
BO row: (RS) With larger crochet hook, gather 3, [ch 6, gather 3, pulling yo through all loops on hook] to end. 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 blocking wire along garter (top) edge. Pin shawl out to schematic measurements with one pin in each crochet chain loop. Shawl will relax to finished measurements after removing pins. Allow to dry completely. Trim ends.
Note: Stitches shaded purple are duplicated for ease of following the two halves of the chart; work the shaded stitches only once.