Cashmere or Fine Yarn Shawl

Cashmere or Precious Yarn Stole

The stole is an accessory that I really love. It is usually a rectangle, at least 40 cm wide and up to 2 meters long. It can be made with knitting needles or a crochet hook. Its easy execution, without increases and decreases, makes it one of those projects that can be done "with your eyes closed." You just need to follow the chosen pattern. Another advantage is that you can use all the yarn you have available, without leaving small amounts that you sometimes don't know what to do with. The stole is usually worn around the shoulders, but it can also be wrapped around the neck, creating a large scarf that is currently in fashion. Personally, I find it very useful, especially on summer evenings when the temperature drops and the body needs protection. Suitable patterns for stoles are those that – are the same, or almost the same, on both sides (front and back) – have straight side edges (stockinette stitch, for example, is not recommended as the side edges tend to curl) The beautiful stole you see in the photo was made with two cashmere blend yarns (one lighter, the other darker, thus creating a mélange yarn). I worked with 5.5 mm needles. My stole measures 40 x 140 cm and weighs 300 gr. I chose the peacock stitch. There are several versions of this stitch. I will offer you my favorite. The right and wrong sides are slightly different. To cast on for the stole, you will need a number of stitches divisible by 17 + 6 (side edges). Here are some examples: 68 + 6 = 74 / 85 + 6 = 91 I recommend making a swatch of 23 stitches, measure the width, and then calculate the number of stitches to cast on for the stole. The stole should be 40 to 50 cm wide, depending on your preference. The choice of needles will, of course, depend on the yarn or yarns you choose and your tension. Swatch: Cast on 23 stitches and work 4 rows in garter stitch. Then follow the description: row 1: 3 knit – 2 st together knit (repeat 2 more times) – 1 increase – 1 knit (repeat 4 more times) – 1 increase – 2 st together knit (repeat 2 more times) – 3 knit row 2: knit all stitches row 3: knit all stitches row 4: purl all stitches Finally, work 4 rows in garter stitch and bind off all stitches. When you cast on for the stole, you will simply repeat the underlined part until only the 3 edge stitches remain on the left needle. Hoping this idea will be useful to you, I wish you happy knitting. Alicja Kwartnik