Cashmere or Fine Yarn Shawl

Cashmere or Fine Yarn Stole

The stole is an accessory that I really love. It's 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 simple execution, without increases or decreases, makes it one of those projects you can do "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 having small quantities left over 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 to be protected.

Suitable patterns for stoles are those that

– are the same, or almost the same, on both sides (right and wrong side)

– have straight side edges (stockinette stitch, for example, is not very suitable as the side edges tend to curl)

The beautiful stole you see in the photo was made with two strands of cashmere blend yarn (one lighter, the other darker, thus achieving a melange 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'm suggesting the one I prefer. 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 a few examples: 68 + 6 = 74 / 85 + 6 = 91

I recommend making a swatch of 23 stitches, measuring the width, and then calculating 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:

K3 – K2tog (repeat 2 more times) – M1 – K1 (repeat 4 more times) – M1 – K2tog (repeat 2 more times) – K3

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 section until only the 3 edge stitches remain on the left needle.

Hoping this idea will be useful to you, I wish you happy crafting.

Alicja Kwartnik