Shetland Summer Stole

Shetland Summer Stole by Bronagh Miskelly

Project Overview

The Shetland Summer Stole is a long, elegant draping shawl crafted from fine Shetland wool in a natural shade. This intermediate-level knitting project measures 205cm in length and 52cm in width, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering over shoulders on cool summer evenings or wrapping around the neck as temperatures drop into autumn. The neutral coloring ensures the stole coordinates effortlessly with any wardrobe.

Construction Method

This stole is constructed in two symmetrical halves that are grafted together at the centre. This two-part construction method allows for balanced patterning and ensures visual symmetry throughout the finished piece. The grafting technique joins the sections seamlessly, creating a unified design that flows from one end to the other.

Stitch Patterns and Techniques

The Shetland Summer Stole features traditional Shetland lace patterns that have been thoughtfully adapted for this design. These delicate lace stitches create an openwork fabric characteristic of classic Shetland shawlwork. The pattern incorporates several fundamental lace-knitting techniques:

• Stocking stitch as the base fabric structure
• Central double decrease (CDD) – created by slipping 2 stitches together, knitting 1, and passing the slipped stitches over
• Knit front and back (Kfb) increases for shaping and creating openwork
• Slip, slip, knit through back loop (Ssk) decreases for refined edge shaping
• Slip, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over (Sk2po) for additional decrease variations in the lace pattern
• Slip stitches (Sl) for stitch manipulation and pattern transitions

Materials and Gauge

The Shetland Summer Stole is knitted using Jamieson & Smith Shetland Supreme 2ply Lace-weight yarn in Grey. This 100% wool yarn provides the characteristic drape and delicate hand required for lace shawlwork. The project requires 5 balls of 25g (approximately 1000 metres total, based on 200 metres per 25g ball).

Knitting is worked on 3.5mm needles to achieve the specified tension of 25 stitches and 32 rows over 10cm in stocking stitch before blocking. A blunt darning needle is used for grafting the two halves together and finishing.

Yarn Weight and Difficulty

This project uses lace-weight yarn, which requires careful attention and concentration during knitting. The intermediate difficulty level reflects the combination of lace-pattern reading, multiple decrease and increase variations, and the grafting technique needed to join the two halves. Knitters should be comfortable with reading charts or written lace patterns and have experience with basic shaping techniques before beginning this project.