Intended as a gift for Lee Ann, this project was started over a year ago. Now that it’s in her hands, I can tell you about it.
This is a classic Shetland-style stole. It’s in 3 parts. (Click to enlarge diagram.) The end pieces –-the borders-- are identical; the centre uses contrasting patterns. I used a provisional cast-on, worked the centre (1), and then a border (2). Back to the provisional cast-on, and worked the other border (3). Then a lace edging to surround it all (4).
For inspiration, I hunted through the archived images of knitted lace in the Shetland Museum. Lots of ideas: the stole's centre is my working of this pattern, and its borders were heavily inspired by those on this stole. With pencil and graph paper, and needles and yarn in hand, I worked on the ideas, sampling and reworking, until I had the patterns I thought I wanted.
There was considerable knitting and ripping. With me and knitting, all too frequently there’s a mismatch between what I see in my mind’s eye and what I end up with in my hands. It’s frustrating, and why I shy away from designing.
The centre section has 2 pattern bands. The first is made from 2 tree motifs. A diamond forms between the trees, with a bead in its centre. The second pattern band is a "diamond" made from plain old holes: this is sometimes called a “Mesh Diamond”, and I think I’ve seen it referred to as a “Net Diamond”. Perhaps the openness of the pattern reminded someone of the appearance of a mesh fabric or fishermen’s nets. The two bands alternate for the length of the centre section.
The borders are a collection of waves made from small holes (overs), large holes (double overs), and “mesh”. There’s a large tree motif, a few beads, a wave made from a variation (mine) of the classic “Madeira” pattern, and at the very ends are single “Ferns”.
The edging is a variation on the “Doris Edging”, which is available in many collections.
Sharon Miller’s very good book “Heirloom Knitting: A Shetland Lace Knitter’s Pattern and Workbook” was incredibly helpful in working out the charts. Wonderful resource.
Yarn for the project is Jagger “Zephyr”, 50/50 wool/silk in colour “Cinnabar”. The dye bled in the wash, and there was still some dye in the 5th rinse. (I did that many rinses in hopes that the dye bleed would stop. After that many, I figure that if it’s going to bleed, it’s going to bleed.) Lee Ann won’t want to wear this with a white shirt.
All in all, quite nice, I think.
To Recap
Pattern: Mine, inspired by lace worked by 2 Shetland knitters
Yarn: JaggerSpun Zephyr in colour “Cinnabar” The stole weighs 138 grams. There are 1260 yards per 115gram skein (10957 yards per kilo). So the stole used 1512 yards, give or take a bit.
Dimensions: 73 inches (length); 27 inches(width). It was a tad larger just after blocking, so it's relaxed a bit.
Note: Lee Ann's pictures are a lot more interesting than mine.
Ted, that is absolutely outstanding. All of the design elements are just perfect, it's lovely. You should be really proud. :)
Posted by: virginia | October 07, 2007 at 04:13 PM
The color and the patterns are SO well thought out. It is beautiful. Congratulations.
Posted by: TECHknitter | October 07, 2007 at 10:58 PM
Spectacular!
Posted by: Lisa J | October 08, 2007 at 05:22 PM
Ah, my lace muse! You never fail to inspire me. Gawd, that is a spectacular stole. OK, so now I have this laceweight that I've spun. Hmmm. It's your fault, damn you Ted Myatt! I can't break my addiction to lace. I need to do some Aran work but I can't. Not when I see something like this.
Posted by: Mar | October 09, 2007 at 10:22 AM
Extreamly beautiful in a splendid color! I think you did a wonderful job at selecting the patterns and designing it. I bet it looks stunning worn. What a wonderful gift to give a friend. Conratulations!
Posted by: Jane | October 09, 2007 at 10:00 PM
I'm slightly breathless! This is incredible! Oh wow. Mind if I link to it?
Posted by: Faith | October 09, 2007 at 11:27 PM
Marvellous!!!!
Posted by: Lorraine | October 10, 2007 at 02:24 PM
Stunning!
Posted by: Nautical Knitter | October 10, 2007 at 03:42 PM
Absolutely beautiul!
Posted by: Lene | October 11, 2007 at 02:53 AM
I wish I could do as well. Maybe some day. Beautiful work - design and knitting.
Posted by: Linda | October 11, 2007 at 01:50 PM
Absolutely magnificent. The most beautiful knitting I think I've ever seen. Bravo!
Posted by: isobel | October 12, 2007 at 07:12 AM
i love it. i love stoles and i have knit a stole in the exact same yarn in the exact same colour. bought a whole cone and now i feel all inspired to use some more of it. you are a talented lace knitter.
Posted by: merete | October 15, 2007 at 08:06 PM
Fabulous!! and very sexy in a complicated, intricate, amazing way. Nice job!
Posted by: LisaK | October 16, 2007 at 04:59 PM
Hi Ted.
You`ve commented my islandic shawl. The pattern is for sale, just search on icelandic shawl, it is for sale as a kit. But we can do an exchange, I`ve been looking for the pattern of the shetland stole.
Posted by: Gerd | October 20, 2007 at 10:44 PM