Balos Stola in Berroco Medina - Downloadable PDF

Balos Stola in Berroco Medina – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Balos Stola is an elegant, elongated rectangular shawl or wrap designed by Donna Yacino and published by Berroco. Rated Intermediate in skill level, this knitting pattern produces a refined accessory with a richly textured lace-like surface that drapes beautifully across the shoulders or wraps around the neck. The finished piece measures approximately 18 inches wide by 72 inches long, making it a generous stola suitable for year-round wear.

What Is Being Made

The Balos Stola is a long, rectangular wrap or shawl — sometimes called a stola in reference to its graceful, draped silhouette. Its simple rectangular construction makes it accessible to intermediate knitters while the repeating pattern stitch adds visual interest and a sense of craftsmanship. The generous length of 72 inches allows for multiple styling options, from a classic shoulder wrap to a looped scarf.

Techniques Used

• Rectangular shawl construction: Stitches are cast on along the short edge and the fabric is worked lengthwise in rows until the full 72-inch length is reached, keeping the structure straightforward and the stitch count consistent throughout.
• Lace-style patterning: The defining technique of this pattern is a four-row repeating Pattern Stitch that creates an open, textured fabric through strategic use of yarn-overs and decreases. This is not traditional lace knitting in the openwork sense, but rather a structured decorative stitch that gives the fabric movement and visual depth.
• Blocking: The finishing instructions call for blocking, which is an essential technique for lace and textured knitting. Blocking opens up the yarn-overs, evens the tension, and allows the full beauty of the stitch pattern to emerge.
• Loose bind-off in pattern: The pattern specifies binding off loosely in pattern, which preserves the elasticity and drape of the finished edge.

Stitches Used

The Balos Stola is built around a single repeating four-row Pattern Stitch worked over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 1. The specific stitches and techniques within this pattern include:

• Yarn-over (yo): Creates deliberate eyelets and adds stitches temporarily to maintain stitch count after decreases, contributing to the open, airy quality of the fabric.
• P2tog (purl two together): Used in an unusual and distinctive way — after working a p2tog, the resulting stitch is placed back onto the left-hand needle and worked through a second p2tog, creating a tight, textured cluster that is central to the character of this stitch pattern.
• SSK (slip, slip, knit): A left-leaning decrease used on right-side rows to maintain symmetry and shape within the pattern repeat.
• K2tog (knit two together): A right-leaning decrease that pairs with SSK to keep the stitch count balanced across rows.
• Knit and purl stitches: Used on wrong-side rows to build the fabric structure between the textured right-side rows, creating a stable base for the pattern.

The four-row repeat alternates between two distinct right-side rows and two wrong-side rows, giving the fabric a rhythmic, meditative quality that experienced knitters will find enjoyable to work.

Materials

The pattern calls for Berroco Medina, a DK weight yarn, in colorway #4716 Nador. A total of 4 balls (each 100 grams) are required. Berroco Medina is known for its rich, multi-tonal character, which adds depth and subtle color variation to textured stitch patterns like the one used in the Balos Stola.

The recommended needle size is US size 6 (4.00 mm), though knitters are encouraged to adjust needle size as needed to achieve the specified gauge of 23 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in the Pattern Stitch. Achieving accurate gauge is particularly important in a project like this, where the finished dimensions directly affect the wearability and drape of the wrap.