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Pre-colonization and the advent of money, koha (gift, offering, donation) was the economic lifestyle in Te Ao Māori: a circular economy and redistribution of resources and valuables throughout the community.

Nowadays, giving a koha (in the form of money, goods or services) is the practice of bestowing an unconditional gift.

A koha best given is said to mirror the mana of both the giver and the recipient: what the giver is able to give, and the level of appreciation of the recipient.

The Koha Mitts feature a colorwork motif of the Kūmara plant (as identified by the jagged stripes). Someone who is very generous is said to have manaakitanga (hospitality), often demonstrated by the sharing of one’s food or resources with another out of aroha (love, compassion). To respect the mana of yourself and the recipient, this gift is best given to someone who exemplifies the qualities of the Giver Fibre Muse — someone who is selfless and seeks to help others AND is knitworthy!

This Koha can honor their mahi (work) and make them feel loved.

Use the code TPoF-PoTW-kohasbe at checkout on Ravelry to receive 60% off the pattern this weekend, exclusively for Indie Untangled subscribers!

Winter is on its way, so bundle yourself up in a shawl to help keep the cold at bay! Makariri (Maori for Winter) is a gorgeous oversized shawl, with subtle texture and squish, and eye-catching lace and colorwork. Let the garter stitch transport you to a scene of slow and peaceful living, it is a wonderfully meditative stitch. And when the lace comes into play, enjoy the present as you spend a bit more time and concentration to make the stitch work its magic.

Use your creativity and imagination to pair your three favorite colorways together to paint a scene. In my sample, I used white and two grey neutrals to reflect the cold yet magical feeling of winter. Perhaps you will choose more vibrant and warm colors to celebrate summer or spring? Regardless, let your intuition decide which colors to work together and watch the magic unfold and bloom.

Be prepared to fall in love with your new shawl, as you wrap yourself up in it, pairing it with your favorite winter coat. Step outside into the crisp air, perhaps with a slight spring in your step, as you face a new day in your new shawl.

Use the code TPoF-PoTW-msvfoe at checkout on Ravelry to receive 60% off the pattern this weekend, exclusively for Indie Untangled subscribers!

“E kore e wheko, he mea iri ki runga ki te wheenako, e kore e wheko.”
The yearning for something cannot be easily extinguished. – Māori Proverb

My yearning to connect back to my cultural heritage prompted the design of the Karekare pullover. I based the colorwork on a traditional geometric wave motif found in Māori weaving. Karekare is Te Reo Māori for wave, though it can also mean “choppy or rough waters.”

Over the years, I’ve had my share of rough waters to navigate. Today I continue to struggle with questions of identity: who am I? Where do I come from? Can I belong somewhere? Despite the fear of rejection and not being enough, I decided to not let the waters extinguish my desire to share my story as a bi-racial, multicultural WoC trying to find where she fits in in the world.

Do you seek a sense of belonging? Are you caught between two spaces where you don’t quite fit? Knitting connects us to our past, our present, ourselves. Exploration through this ancient craft serves to anchor us as we battle stormy seas and feed the fire of our passions.

This pullover is worked bottom-up, in the round, with some short row shaping around the neck for a better fit across the shoulders. The original was knitted in a DK baby alpaca for a soothing warmth on cool evenings.

Use the code TPoF-PoTW-karabw at checkout on Ravelry to receive 60% off the pattern this weekend, exclusively for Indie Untangled subscribers!

Hihiko, Māori for speed and swiftness, perfectly embodies this hat, a quick and breezy knit that can be completed in a day or two. The Hihiko hat features an intricate Japanese lace paneling that shapes into a star formation at the crown.

One of the amazing things about intricate lace patterns, especially in hats, is how they shorten the knitting process. Maybe it’s because they engage our minds, eyes, and fingers at the same time, demanding that we fully dive into the process of knitting. Even when away from the project, it tempts our hands with a call of “one more row.”

Knit up the Hihiko hat using a skein of sport-weight yarn in a solid color to emphasize the lush pattern of the lace.

Use the code TPoF-PoTW-Hisbie at checkout on Ravelry to receive 60% off the pattern this weekend, exclusively for Indie Untangled subscribers!