Tanumshede

Tanumshede Lace Stole by Anna Dalvi

Design Inspiration and Background

The Tanumshede Lace Stole draws inspiration from the ancient rock carvings found in Tanumshede, located in Bohuslän, Sweden. These Bronze Age carvings, dating back to 1200–1050 BC, depict symbolic motifs including a longship carrying a deer and a sun horse. The sun horse represents the historical belief that the sun was pulled across the sky by a horse, making this design a wearable homage to prehistoric Scandinavian art and mythology.

What Is Being Made

The Tanumshede is an advanced-level lace stole—a large, rectangular wrap garment ideal for layering over shoulders or draping elegantly. With finished dimensions of 68 cm (27 inches) in width and 192 cm (76 inches) in height, this stole provides generous coverage and a dramatic silhouette. The lace construction creates an open, airy fabric with intricate patterning throughout.

Knitting Techniques

This project employs charted knitting instructions, a technique essential for executing complex lace patterns with precision. All rows are fully charted, requiring knitters to read right-to-left for right-side (odd) rows and left-to-right for wrong-side (even) rows. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 95 stitches using the knitting-on method with larger needles, then transitions to smaller needles for the main body work. This two-needle approach allows for proper gauge and fabric drape in the lace sections.

Stitches and Lace Construction

While specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the provided instructions, the charted format indicates the use of standard lace knitting stitches. Lace knitting typically combines yarn overs (to create openings) with decreases (to maintain stitch count), producing the characteristic open-work patterns. The complexity of this advanced project suggests sophisticated stitch combinations and possibly multiple lace motifs inspired by the Tanumshede rock carvings.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

• Yarn: One skein of Buttercream from Yarn Chef (100% merino wool, 880 yards / 805 meters per 100 grams) in the Chateau colorway or a similar yarn of equivalent yardage and weight
• Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) needles for cast-on; US 6 (4.0 mm) needles for main body work
• Additional Tools: Tapestry needle for finishing

Yarn Weight and Fiber Content

The Tanumshede is worked in lace weight yarn, the finest category in standard yarn weight classifications. The 100% merino wool fiber provides excellent elasticity and drape, essential qualities for lace garments. Merino's natural properties allow the delicate openwork to block beautifully and maintain shape while remaining soft against the skin. The substantial yardage (880 yards) in a single 100-gram skein enables the creation of a large, flowing stole without requiring multiple skeins.

Difficulty Level

Designated as an advanced project, the Tanumshede is suited for experienced knitters. The advanced classification reflects the demands of reading and executing charted lace patterns, managing a large number of stitches, maintaining consistent tension across a lengthy project, and executing the blocking process necessary to reveal the full beauty of the lace design. Knitters should be comfortable with lace techniques, chart reading, and the patience required for a stole of this scale.

Format

The Tanumshede is available as a downloadable PDF pattern, allowing immediate access to all instructions and charts upon purchase. This digital format provides convenient reference during knitting and enables easy printing for pattern consultation at the needles.