Comments | advanced_knit: Converting a shawl pattern into a stole

3secondfish in advanced_knit

Converting a shawl pattern into a stole

Jan 22, 2009 14:42

I was looking at the Melusine pattern in the last post and it occurred to me that there are many pretty shawls out there, but I don't wear triangular shawls. On the whole, I think I would prefer a stole with pointy ends, sort of like Knitty's Juno Regina, but with more interest in the middle bits.

My question then, is how do I start a shawl and ( Read more... )

Comments 2

sleepsong January 23 2009, 15:44:06 UTC

If you think of it, a stole is essentially a wide lacy scarf, right? And much as I would say for a scarf "design it yourself!" I would also say that for a stole.

There are a lot of wonderful lace books and websites out there that can help you with this, but essentially buy a book that has a lot of lace stitches in it. I actually usually recommend some of the later Barbara Walker
Treasuries (2 and 3 being the best for this), since aside from having lovely lace motifs she also has sections on borders and edgings. Find a couple of patterns you like, glom them together (taking into account that some have a longer repeat than others, but with some algebra and patience that can be made to work out), add an edging, and poof! Beautiful custom stole!

djinnj January 23 2009, 17:09:28 UTC

If you're working short edge to short edge (which is generally preferable to working long edge to long edge unless your pattern requires is because OMG so many stitches), then it's fairly simple to design a stole like the Juno Regina. Just pick a lace pattern which has motifs which increase within the yarn overs at the same rate as your piece does. Plan to use a couple stitches on either side of the motif to center it. You can increase from one stitch and increase at the same rate until you've got enough to give yourself your center stitch and some border stitches if you want it to have a nice sharp point.

This can be reversed, of course, if the lace pattern is directional with the point the other way. The big thing to remember is that a lot of lace is directional in some direction. So if it's a directional pattern, you'll need to either work both ends from the point to the middle and then graft together, or use a provisional cast on and work through to one end and then pick up the cast on stitches and work to the other end ( ... )