Too Ra Loo Ra Hap

“Too Ra Loo Ra Loo RA” is an American-Irish lullaby written in 1913 by James Royce Shannon and popularized by Bing Crosby when he recorded it in 1944. It was my favorite lullaby that my mother sang to both me and my sister as children. We all sing it to little Isla now. Inspired by this beautifully simple melody – the Too Ra Loo Ra hap is a new twist on a traditional Irish garment, the hap. Haps were large, square shawls that could be worn around the shoulders or used as a snuggly blanket for little ones. This hap is written for heavier yarns to give it a more modern look, it also makes it a fast and easy project. The simple and elegant lace body surrounds a squishy garter stitch center, (this means it is worked in the round, but you don’t have to use double pointed needles for the center!) The picot bind-off gives it a delicate touch, but is much faster and easier to work than the knitted on lace edging of the traditional hap. This pattern includes instructions for both a one color version and a two color version, as well as yardage requirements for both DK and aran weights. Its one of my favorite designs to date. I wear mine as a shawl – Isla loves to nap with hers.