Stole-n Moments Shawl
A Simple Knits design I called this design Stole-n Moments because it is so fast and easy to knit. It won't look very wide as you're knitting it. The magic happens as stitches are dropped and unraveled as you cast off. The dropped stitches create lace ladders that make the stole much wider. Cast on and knit sideways until you only have enough yarn to bind off. You'll need 270-300 yards of worsted weight yarn and a pair of size 10 (6 mm) or 10.5 (6.5 m) knitting needles or a 16" circular. My blocked stole measured 65" long x19" deep. You can make it plain or fancy depending on what yarn you choose for this project. Be careful to pick a smooth textured yarn or you will have trouble unraveling the dropped stitches at the end. The pictured stole was knit with one 270 yard skein of Down Home Art Yarn from Knitivity. (www.knitivity.com)
? 2009 Vicki Mikulak
For personal, non-commercial use only. Questions? simple.knits@yahoo.com Revised 11/19/2012
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 = 1" (blocked)
Finished size:
44" long x 9" deep (unblocked) 65" long x19" deep (blocked) Key: CO = cast on BO = bind off sts = stitches Note: The pattern repeat is multiples of 4 + 3 stitches. Use this information if you wish to make the stole wider.
Instructions:
Loosely CO 143 sts. Begin knitting Rows 1-4. Rows 1-3: Knit 3 rows Row 4: Knit 3 sts, purl across to last 3 sts, knit 3 sts. Repeat Rows 1-4 until your yarn ball is getting small.
Stop!
Unroll your yarn. Measure 10 yards from the end; tie a loop to mark it. You will need this much yarn for binding off. Continue knitting Rows 1-4 until you are near the loop you tied in the yarn. You are ready to bind off. Go to the bind off instructions.
Binding Off:
BO loosely using a crochet hook in your right hand instead of a knitting needle. Transfer the 1st stitch from your left needle to the crochet hook, chain 1 [yarnover the hook and pull it through the stitch on your hook]. Then transfer a 2nd stitch to the crochet hook, chain 1. Pull the second stitch thru the first stitch on your hook to bind off 1 stitch. Transfer the next stitch from your knitting needle to your crochet hook, chain 1, and pull it through the other stitch to bind off 1 stitch. Now you are where you need to drop a stitch: \*Drop the next stitch off your knitting needle and let it begin to unravel. Chain 3 (for ease/stretch over the dropped stitch area), then BO the next 3 stitches using the same bind off used earlier.\* Repeat from \* to \* across the row until you have bound off all stitches. Finish unraveling the dropped stitches down to the cast on edge. Weave in ends; cut off excess yarn. Block your shawl to open up the ladders.
Blocking with Blockable Fibers:
Soak your stole in warm water for 10 minutes or so to relax the fibers. (You may add a drop of shampoo to the water. Rinse if you do.) Let drain in sink. Roll stole up in a towel; press gently to remove excess water. 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. Check to make sure the stole width is even. Let dry completely before removing pins. If you've used acrylic or synthetic yarn, carefully steam the dry shawl to block it.
