@May2009 Vicki Mikulak All rights reserved. For personal use only. Please do not photocopy, scan, email, or reproduce by any other means. If you knit this project, remember it is not legal to sell the finished item without obtaining permission. Need help or find an error? simple.knits@yahoo.com
STOLE-N MOMENTSA Simple Knits design
A fast and simple stole that's knit sideways with 270-300 yards of worsted weight yarn. Knit it plain or fancy depending on your yarn choice. It won't look very wide as you're knitting it. The magic starts as you drop stitches as you cast off. The dropped stitches create lace ladders that widen the stole. Finished size: Unblocked: 44" long 9" deep Blocked: 65" long 19" deep
Materials:
Size 10.5 (6.5 mm) or 10 (6 mm) 16" circular needle 270-300 yards worsted weight wool yarn Crochet hook size H or I Gauge: 7 sts = 2" 7 rows $=\texttt{1}"$ (blocked measurements) Read all pattern directions before starting! Loosely cast on 143 sts. Begin knitting Rows 1-4. Pattern repeat: (multiple of $^{4\mathrm{~+~}3}$ stitches) Rows 1-3: Knit 3 rows Row 4: Next row: K3, purl across, K3. Repeat Rows 1-4 for the pattern. Note: You may knit thru the back loop of the stitch before and after each stitch to be dropped to tighten them. If you wish to do this, substitute the following instructions in place of rows 1-4: Rows 1-3B: K2, \*ktbl, k1,\* repeat across; end k2. Row 4B: K2, ptbl, p1,\* repeat across; end k2. Keep knitting Rows 1-4 until you have a small ball of yarn left. Stop! Unroll your yarn. Measure 10 yards from the end; tie a loop to mark it. Save this yarn for casting off. You may continue knitting until you are near the loop marker. Go to the cast off directions. Cast off: Cast off loosely using a crochet hook in your right hand instead of a knitting needle. Transfer 1 stitch from your left needle to the crochet hook, chain 1 [yarnover the hook and pull it through the stitch on your hook]. Transfer a second stitch to the hook, chain 1. Pull the second stitch thru the first stitch to cast off one stitch. Transfer the next stitch to the hook, chain 1, and pull it through the other one. \*Drop the next stitch off your left needle (let it start to unravel), chain 3 (over the dropped stitch space), then cast off the next 3 stitches.\* Repeat from \* to \* across the row. Finish unraveling the dropped stitches down to the cast on edge. Weave in ends; cut off excess yarn.
Blocking:
Soak your stole in warm water for 10-15 minutes. Squeeze gently to remove water. Roll up in a towel; press gently. Spread your damp stole out on a flat surface. Pin the short end of the stole, stretching it out as you go. Stretch and pin along the long sides opening up the ladders. Finish by pinning the other short end. Make sure the stole width is even. Let dry completely before removing pins. Handwash and block your stole when it needs to be cleaned.
A word about yarn choices:
Choose a blockable yarn. Wool, silk, alpaca, and other animal fibers are good choices. Cotton, tencel, bamboo, and linen will work but may not stay blocked. Synthetic yarns are not recommended unless you use steam to permanently “"kill" the yarn to hold its shape. The cover stole was knit with one skein of Down Home Art Yarn from Knitivity. (www.knitivity.com)
