Accessibility statement: The text is a sans serif font in 24 point, with mild exception. The exceptions include the schematics. The text is black ink on a white background. No italics were used in this version. While a chart is included, the chart has also been written out in full. This pattern has not been tested for a screen reader.
“Tien May shawl is a design that deeply resonates with me. It is inspired by myself: my heritage and growing up as an Asian American.
Each section is symbolic of these aspects of my life.
The Knots
Knots are a good symbol in Chinese culture. To tie a knot is to ward away bad luck. Growing up, there were always knot decorations that could be found within my home. They weren’t overly prominent, but you’d find a small one hanging from a painting or just hung from the knob on a cabinet.
The Waves
The art of Japan is highly influenced by waves. Of course, one of the most famous pieces of art from Japan is “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” by Hokusai, but you can find waves all around. I’ve always felt the most “at home” in a city that is near water.
The importance of the third color
My heritage is both Chinese and Japanese, but I was born and raised in America. As an Asian American, this has influenced my entire life. This is why the third color weaves itself through all sections.
The last garter section
This last section happens to have 8 garter ridges (including the bind off ridge). In Chinese culture, the number 8 is thought to be a lucky one, as the word for the number eight sounds a lot like the word for fortune. To pay homage to this, I decided to end this section with 8 garter ridges. Some of you have been interested in knowing why this shawl is named Tien May. I have been told that, depending on where the accents are, this could translate roughly to “beautiful sky” or “heavenly beauty”… and while that’s amazing… I actually named this shawl after my grandparents on my dad’s side. Tien for my grandfather and May for my grandmother (side note: this is her “American” name; the name I always knew her by). This shawl can be made in either a triangular shawl style or a 3/4 square. In the photos here, the shawl in pink is the triangular one, and the shawl in yellow is the 3/4 shape. In everything listed below, I am referencing first the triangular shawl, then the (3/4 square shawl) inside of the parenthesis. When downloading your copy of Tien May, please note that I have split the two shapes into two different files to keep things simpler. Please be sure to download the correct version!!”
Link to pattern on Ravelry Flexible pricing $7.50 to $15.00