If this shawl could talk...

Back in late 2016, Amanda Jarvis of Lorna's Laces and Mrs. Crosby (and later on, LL Yarn Co.) sent me some new colorways and asked me to make some crochet samples for her. In the group of yarn were 2 skeins of Solemate in Zoe, a gorgeous pink bespeckled with neon colors, and Bonanza!, an even brighter neon variegated. I swatched...and swatched...and swatched, and couldn't find the right pattern where the colors worked well together. As a result, I got to playing with the yarns and some half double crochets, and magic was born in the form of the Mythical Zebracorn.

Since March 2017, this particular Mythical Zebracorn traveled all over the country (and the world!) with Amanda going to fiber and yarn shows meeting hundreds of crocheters and crafters. It's been amazing and such an honor to watch crocheters fall in love and make their own Mythical Zebracorns in the most dreamy color combinations!! Two special makers I've gotten to know through this shawl (and you should check them out, too, because they are beyond AWESOME) are April Rongero (@xoxotiya) and Claudia Carpenter (@claudiacarpenterdesigns). Here's one of the three Mythical Zebracorns that April made using Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Sock Multi, Qing Fibre Merino Single, and Wonderland Yarns & Frabjous Fibers Cheshire Cat.

What makes the Mythical Zebracorn so special?

Half double crochets are my absolute favorite crochet stitch because there are so many different things you can do with them. Even before I was formally designing and I was just learning, I was mesmerized by the chunky little stitch that held so much texture within it. Front loops and back loops and THIRD loops...OH MY!! When I began to swatch with these two colorways and the half double crochet, I fell in love.

This particular color combo is fun because Zoe is speckled with the sample colors that Bonanza! is made from. Hand dyers often have complimenting colorways be them speckled and variegated, speckled and solids, variegated and semi-solid, so there are a number of options you can choose to make your own Mythical Zebracorn.

This is also the type of project where you could use any yarn weight and have a beautiful, textured shawl. Know that your gauge, finished size, and yardage needed will be different but your finished project will be fabulous!!

Having this sample back has me wanting to make another one or two. I hope you join me!! I just picked up this set of BzyPeach Pima Cotton Sock in Red Delicious and Peachtree Meets Broadway (both limited edition colorways), and I have two skeins of Mighty Sock from The Lemonade Shop on their way to me in Asphalt and Buy Yourself Flowers. I may stash dive for some DK or Worsted Weight yarn to make one, too!! Share with me what color combos you'd love to use!!

I've just given this pattern a refresh and have a brand new updated version now available!! Pick it up through Ravelry, Etsy, and LoveCrafts (will update with other platforms soon!). Make sure to tag me @yarngerie when you share your progress on Instagram and use the hashtag #mythicalzebracorn !!