Feather & Fan Stole
The classic Shetland Old Shale wave in a rectangular stole. Only one lace row in every four.
- Yarn
- DK (3) wool, silk blend or gradient.
- Needles
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 24 in (60 cm) circular
- Sizes
- Stole 20 × 70 in (51 × 178 cm) after blocking
- Example gauge
- 22 sts and 30 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in pattern, blocked
- Yarn needed
- About 1,230 yd (1,125 m) DK. Pick “Scarf, cowl or wrap” with “Lace/openwork”.
- Stitch multiple
- 18, plus 4 garter sts each side
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plain count | width × sts per in | 20 × 5.5 = 110 sts | Cast-On Calculator |
| Repeats | (plain count − 8) ÷ 18, rounded | 102 ÷ 18 = 5.7 → 6 repeats | By hand |
| Cast on | repeats × 18 + 8 | 6 × 18 + 8 = 116 sts (21 in) | By hand |
| Pattern repeats long | length × rows per in ÷ 4 | 70 × 7.5 ÷ 4 ≈ 131 | By hand |
Materials
- DK (3) yarn (see yarn needed)
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 24 in (60 cm) circular
- Tapestry needle
- Blocking wires or pins
- Markers between repeats
Gauge swatch
Cast on 44 sts (2 repeats + 8 border sts) and work 12 rows. Block hard before measuring; lace grows.
Instructions
Border
Cast on (example: 116 sts). Knit 6 rows.
Feather & fan
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (WS): K4, purl to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 3 (RS): K4, *(k2tog) × 3, (yo, k1) × 6, (k2tog) × 3; rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.
Row 4 (WS): Knit.
Repeat rows 1–4 until the stole measures 66.5 in (169 cm) unblocked, which is your length less 5% (lace grows when blocked).
Border
Knit 5 rows. Bind off loosely on the WS.
Finishing
- Soak, then pin or wire out the long edges straight and the short ends into scallops.
- Weave in ends after blocking.
Designer’s notes
- Count stitches after each row 3: every repeat should have 18.
- Stripe in 2 colours every 8 rows (2 repeats) for a traditional look.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: rows 1–4 (lace on 3). Counter 2: repeats.
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Tools for this pattern
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Cast-On CalculatorEnter your width and gauge; it rounds to the stitch multiple for you.
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.