Cartouche Stole

Cartouche Stole by Janelle Martin

What Is Being Made

The Cartouche Stole is an advanced-level knitted shawl designed by Janelle Martin. This project is a two-section stole worked from a centre back provisional cast on, creating a sophisticated wrap garment. The design draws inspiration from Egyptian cartouches and Japanese stitch dictionaries, translating traditional motifs into an elegant lace knit accessory. The stole is available in two finished sizes: a Large Shawl measuring 84 inches long by 22.5 inches deep when stretched and blocked, or a Regular Shawl measuring 72 inches wide by 17 inches deep.

Techniques Used

This stole employs several advanced knitting techniques that require careful attention and precision. The garment begins with a provisional cast on at the centre back, allowing for seamless integration of the two sections. A key feature of the Cartouche Stole is the use of transitional charts, such as Chart D, which facilitate the flow of stitch patterns from one design section into the next. These transitional elements are critical to the pattern and must be followed with extra care, as stitch patterns are intentionally altered to create smooth transitions between different design areas. This approach demonstrates sophisticated pattern engineering that distinguishes advanced projects from beginner and intermediate work.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Cartouche Stole features stitch patterns inspired by Japanese stitch dictionaries, organized into multiple charted sections that flow into one another. The main pattern evokes the visual aesthetic of an Egyptian cartouche, creating a distinctive motif throughout the shawl. Chart C, used for gauge measurement, represents one of the primary stitch patterns and is worked at a gauge of 22 stitches and 44 rows to 4 inches (10 centimeters) when blocked. The use of multiple charts with intentional transitional elements demonstrates the complexity of the stitch work and the importance of following each section precisely to achieve the intended design flow.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Cartouche Stole is worked in lace-weight yarn, requiring 1,460 yards (1,335 meters) for the Regular Shawl or 2,281 yards (2,086 meters) for the Large Shawl. Knitting is accomplished using two US #2/2.75 mm circular needles measuring 32 to 40 inches (80 to 100 centimeters) in length, or a needle size adjusted to obtain the specified gauge. The lace-weight yarn and small needle size create the delicate, intricate fabric characteristic of advanced lace shawl knitting, while the circular needles provide the necessary length and flexibility for managing the growing fabric throughout the project.