Variations on a theme describes this lace shawl with its delicate picot edging … two simple lace patterns juxtaposed in five harmonious movements (well, six if you count the finale) to create a piece that looks exquisite yet is deceptively easy to knit.

Versatile … dress it up for a special evening, or throw it on over a sweater and jeans.

Pachelbel comes in four sizes: scarf, stole, shawl and wrap. Size shown is shawl. Knitted in two pieces and grafted in the center.

Why are the pattern sections called Prelude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande, Gigue and Finale? In 17th century Germany, which is when and where Johannes Pachelbel was composing music, compositions were typically comprised of specific movements, and most commonly there were five movements in a musical suite: Prelude (beginning or introductory movement), Allemande (a dance in 4/4 time), Courante (a quicker waltz), Sarabande (a slower movement also in 3/4 time), and Gigue (a very quick dance). I took liberties to the analogy and added my own additional finale movement.

In any case, and equally with or without an appreciation of the musical references, one may … and I hope you will! … enjoy working this shawl.

For more from Carol Sunday visit SundayKnits.com.

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