Hap Shawl Center Square in Cat’s Paw Lace “Unvented” by Wendy, Spinasjal on Ravelry These directions describe how to knit an easy lace center square for a traditional Scottish hap shawl. Directions do not include the edging, which traditionally is done in “Old Shale” or “Old Shell” lace. Refer to Sharon Miller’s classic text, Shetland Hap Shawls: Then & Now (Heirloom Knitting, 2006) or similar source, for directions on how to knit an entire shawl from the center square outward. The square starts at one point and increases to the size that you want, then decreases. Here is a photo of the start of the square: The yarn used here is my handspun from Shetland Supreme combed top from Jamieson and Smith, purchased in Lerwick. If you are using handspun and are curious, my wpi on this double plied yarn is roughly 11. Gauge is not critical, at least for me; in the photographed piece the gauge is 4 stitches per inch on a size 4 circular needle. You could conceivably use any yarn that you like for this, although of course wool would be traditional, and a Jamieson and Smith product would suit (the 2 ply lace weight, not cobweb), or something soft like merino or blue faced Leicester would be nice. I don’t think I’d go any heavier than worsted weight unless you want a lovely chunky/bulky weight shawl, which you might. Follow written directions here, and/or see graph below: Knit each row. Wrong side: cast on two stitches and knit. Turn work, increase 1 stitch at each end, by whatever method you like (this is the right side). (Alternately, you can increase a stitch at the beginning of each row). You many find it helpful to mark the right side with a safety pin.