Hydrangea Stole

Hydrangea Stole by Susan Pandorf

What is Being Made

The Hydrangea Stole is an original beaded knit shawl designed by Susan Pandorf, measuring 72 inches long by 22 inches wide. This ethereal, lace-weight wrap is crafted as an elegant accessory suitable for special occasions such as summer weddings or christenings. The designer created this piece as a heartfelt gift for her eldest son's bride, combining delicate lacework with pearl bead embellishments for a sophisticated, handmade finish.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several specialized techniques to achieve its refined appearance. The construction begins with a beaded cast on, where pearl beads are threaded directly onto the yarn before casting on using a long tail method. The beads are positioned on the left-hand thumb during the cast-on process, integrating them into the foundation edge of the stole. The main fabric is worked in ladder stitch, which creates an open, lacy texture characteristic of lace-weight garments. A crochet hook is used during the beading process to facilitate adding beads throughout the knitting, allowing for precise bead placement within the lace pattern.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch structure is ladder stitch, which is blocked to achieve the final gauge of 5 stitches per 1 inch. This stitch creates the characteristic openwork and ethereal quality of the finished shawl. The beaded cast on incorporates the 5500 size 8/0 pearl beads as an integral part of the stitch structure at the beginning edge.

Materials Required

• 900 yards of lace weight yarn
• 5500 size 8/0 pearl beads
• Size 4 (US) knitting needles
• Size 14 or 16 crochet hook for beading
• Stitch markers
• Stitch holder
• Tapestry needle for finishing

Pattern Specifications

The pattern begins with casting on 143 stitches using the beaded cast on method, which requires threading 71 pearls onto the yarn before beginning. The gauge is established at 5 stitches equals 1 inch when measured in ladder stitch and properly blocked. This intermediate difficulty level makes the project suitable for knitters with experience in lace techniques and bead integration.