Orixa Shrug

The Orixa shrug actually began life in my creative imagination as a generous rectangular wrap.  I picked stitch patterns that I not only loved visually, but were very easy to memorize.  That's because I really needed a project that I could travel with and not have to be looking at instructions constantly.  It accompanied me on two trips to Seattle and back, and I only had to rip it back about six inches once.  

About three fourths of the way through the project, I started working on a completely different idea for a shrug.  I pinned a fabric rectangle and slipped my arms in to get an idea of the dimensions I might want, and I realized that might actually work with my current project.  I grabbed my unfinished wrap, pinned up one "sleeve" and then changed my plan.  I loved how the lace fell gracefully at the wrists and how the mock cable ran along the neckline.  

So I finished the knitting, blocked it, and seamed it up.  It also looks great as a tubular scarf.

Some of you may know that orange is my very favorite color.  I don't knit up very many designs in orange because I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I couldn't say no to Zest.  Like another one of my recent designs, Calico, Orixa is worked in Hazel Knits Divine, which made for quite a bit of luxurious knitting for me.  I think the color showcases how bold and engaging the design can be, but I think it would be perfect for a wedding in ivory, or a bit more subdued in a soft blue.

The name Orixa actually comes from a plant.  I liked the name Zest and thought that something related to citrus would be appropriate since it's bright and joyful for spring and summer.  I came across the name Orixa while looking up different kinds of citrus fruit and I mostly just liked the sound of it.

Knitting with fingering weight yarn is perfect for the warmer months that are about to begin.  The pattern is worked by knitting one cuff and the sleeve/body of the shrug first.  Then the second cuff is worked and grafted to the live body/sleeve stitches.  There is a row of shaping between cuffs and the body/sleeve, but mostly the knitting is interesting, but not difficult to memorize.  Perfect road trip work.


Pattern Info
Size & Finished Measurements

Sizes S (M, L); shown in size S; model shown has 31 in/79 cm bust circumference 
To Fit bust circumference: 28-36 (37-45, 46-52) in/71- 91.5 (94-114.5, 117-132) cm 
Length cuff-to-cuff: 52.5 (56.5, 61.5) in/133.5 (143.5, 156) cm


Yarn

775 (855, 930) yd/710 (780, 850) m fingering weight yarn 

Shown in Hazel Knits Divine (75% Merino, 15% Cashmere, 10% Silk; 400 yd/366 m per 115g skein) 
Color: Zest; 2 (3, 3) skeins


Gauge 

16 sts/29 rows = 4 in/10 cm in Lace Faggoting Stitch Pattern using smaller needle 
25 sts/28 rows = 4 in/10 cm in Fan Shell Lace Stitch Pattern using larger needle


Needles & Notions
* Needle sizes are recommendations only. Always use needle size necessary to obtain gauge. 
US #3/3.25 mm needles 
US #6/4.25 mm needles

tapestry needle 
place markers

Skills
working lace using charted or written instructions, decreasing, working lace on both right and wrong sides, grafting using Kitchener stitch, seaming

Buy the pattern
See it on Ravelry