Nereides Shawl: A Sea-Foam Lace Pattern with Beaded Fringe for a Beach or Evening Outfit

The Nereides were fifty beautiful sea nymphs said to dwell in a silvery cavern at the bottom of the Aegean Sea. These shape shifting goddesses had in their care the sea's rich bounty and individually they also represented various facets of the sea, from salty brine, to foam, sand, rocky shores, waves and currents. They were said to wear shawls while on land that if captured gave the holder dominion over them. A sea foam lace pattern makes up the body of the wrap and shows off the thick and thin nature of the silk hand spun yarn while echoing the swell of waves. It is bordered on each end with eyelets on a garter stitch bed (suitable for lacing or adding tassels). The sheen of the silk and subtle color of the yarn reflects the many aspects of the sea. An eclectic fringe studded with multi-colored glass pearls add a nice touch and make this stole equally perfect for a walk on the beach or a night on the town.

PATTERNNOTES

Cut a long length of metallic embroidery floss and string it with pearls, knotting each one on. Randomly combine this beaded strand with working yarn to add some beaded places on the body of your wrap. It looks especially good on yarn over rows, but be sure to start knitting during the 6 stitches before or after the yarn overs. If you don't want to knit the beaded strand in you can add it afterwards by using duplicate stitch and stringing and tying off the pearls as you go.

MATERIALS

750 yards hand spun yarn US 10 (6mm) straight needles Glass pearl beads (as few or as many as you like) Beading needle

YARNSUBSTITUTES

The sea-foam lace pattern lends itself beautifully to any thick and thin yarn. This would be a great pattern for displaying your own hand spun yarn. Silk/silk-blend substitutes: Great Adirondack Yarn Company- Hand spun silk or Silk Delight, Pearl Drops Stargazer by Fiesta Yarns, or Sari silk Wool/wool blends: Colinette Point 5 or Shimmer 5, Debbie Bliss Soho, Cherry Tree Hill Mohair Thick & Thin, Malabrigo Gruesa, Cascade di ve Fiamma Any beads, crystals, or charms you like would compliment this shawl SIZE 23 X 6o inch / 58 X 152 cm

GAUGE

Gauge is really not crucial for this project. The yarn used varied in thickness from super thin lace weight to super bulky, but worked up to DK-worsted (19-20 sts) range in Stockinette stitch PATTERN Loosely CO 56 sts (go up a needle size or two if it helps). Garter stitch & eyelet edge: Rows 1-4: K across. Eyelet row: k6, \*yo, k2tog, k4, (repeat from \* to last 6 stitches), k6. Rows 6-7: K across. Begin Sea-foam lace pattern: Rows1-2: K across. Row 3: k6, YO, k1, YO (2 times), k1, YO (3 times), k1, YO (2 times), k1, YO, k6, repeat across. Row 4: K across, dropping each YO Row 5-6: K across. Row 7: K1, \* YO, k1, YO (2 times), k1, YO (3 times), k1, YO (2 times), k1, YO, k6, repeat from \*across, end k1. Row 8: K across, dropping each YO Repeat rows 1-8, 27times (increase or decrease the number of repeats to change the length of your wrap). Repeat rows 1-4. Garter stitch & eyelet edge: Rows 1-4: K across. Eyelet row: k6, \*yo, k2tog, k4, (repeat from \* to last 6 stitches), k6. Rows 6-9: K across.

FINISHING

Cut 110, 40 inch lengths of yarn for fringe (55 per end) Cut 1o, 4o inch lengths metallic embroidery floss. Separate each length into 6 strands. Pair a single strand with every other strand of yarn to fringe. Fold fringe yarn in half and using crochet hook pull the loop end through gaps between stitches on end edge. Pull the tail through the loop and fasten it off with an overhand knot close to the edge. Use a metallic thread with every other fringe group. Tie your fringe lengths at random lengths. Now comes the fun part. Once the fringe is tied add your beads and charms. Use a beading needle to string pearls or your beads of choice onto random strands of the metallic thread. To the individual fringe strand groups: String pearls from top to bottom, knotting them along the length, knot plain strands, twist single strands together and knot end, braid groups with 3 or more strands (only ones with metallic thread unless you decide to add more fringe), and ply them-twist the strands in one direction very tightly, pinch at halfway point and bringing tail end to meet top knot, let the end twist back onto itself. Leave it loose but cut it at odd lengths

SCHEMATICS

Nereides ? 2007 Jacquelyn Jefferies. All rights reserved.

This pattern is available for personal use only. No unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part, or distribution of pattern is allowed. No commercial reproduction of garments or patterns by Jacquelyn Jefferies is allowed without prior permission from the designer. Direct any inquiries to JJKDesigns@hotmail.com