Stola in Schachenmayr Wool 125 - S7055A - Downloadable PDF

Stola in Schachenmayr Wool 125 – Design S7055A: Free Knitted Stole Pattern

This free downloadable PDF pattern from Schachenmayr (Design S7055A) guides knitters through creating a beautiful, elegant stola — a classic elongated stole or wrap — worked in Schachenmayr Wool 125 yarn. Rated as a beginner difficulty project, this design is an excellent introduction to combining multiple stitch patterns within a single accessory. The finished stole is a sophisticated layering piece suitable for a wide range of occasions.

Construction and Design Overview

The stola is constructed in two distinct sections that are worked separately and then joined, giving the finished piece both structure and visual interest. The construction method is particularly clever: the lower section is knitted horizontally (worked sideways across its width), while the upper section is picked up from the side edge of the lower section using a circular needle, creating a seamless and polished transition between the two parts.

The Lower Section

The lower portion of the stola is the main body of the wrap. It is cast on with 108 stitches using needles in size 3.5–4 mm and worked to a total height of 200 cm, making this a generously sized, luxurious wrap. The construction of this section involves three distinct stitch zones:

• Ribbing borders: The stole begins and ends with a rib stitch pattern (Rippenmuster), each approximately 8 cm deep. These ribbed edges provide a neat, structured finish that frames the central textured panel and prevents curling at the ends.
• Central textured panel: Between the two ribbed borders — spanning from 8 cm to 192 cm — the work transitions into a Strukturmuster (textured stitch pattern), which forms the decorative heart of the stole. This section runs for the vast majority of the stole's length, creating an attractive surface texture that adds visual depth without requiring advanced techniques.
• Transition rows: The pattern specifies careful attention to how the ribbing and textured sections connect, including instructions for beginning and ending rows correctly with edge stitches (Randmaschen) to ensure clean selvedges throughout.

The Upper Section

Once the lower section is complete, the upper portion of the stola is worked by picking up stitches along one side edge of the lower section using a circular needle. This technique integrates the two parts seamlessly and avoids any need for sewing or seaming. The upper section adds height and coverage to the stole, transforming it from a simple wrap into a more structured shawl-like garment.

Stitch Patterns and Techniques

This pattern makes use of several foundational knitting stitch patterns, each contributing a different texture and function to the finished piece:

• Kraus rechts (Garter Stitch): Worked flat by alternating one wrong-side row knitted and one right-side row knitted, or in the round by knitting all stitches. Garter stitch produces a squishy, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges — ideal for borders and transitional sections.
• Glatt rechts (Stockinette Stitch): Worked flat by knitting right-side rows and purling wrong-side rows, or knitting all rounds when worked in the round. Stockinette creates a smooth, classic fabric surface.
• Rippenmuster (Rib Stitch): A combination of knit and purl stitches in a repeating sequence, creating vertical columns of texture. Ribbing is elastic and lies flat, making it perfect for the beginning and ending borders of the stole.
• Strukturmuster (Textured Pattern Stitch): The central decorative stitch pattern that gives the stola its distinctive character. This pattern is worked in a repeat sequence across the main body of the piece.
• Picking up stitches along a selvedge edge: A key construction technique used to begin the upper section directly from the side edge of the completed lower section, ensuring a unified and professional finish.

Gauge and Needle Information

Achieving the correct gauge is important for this project, and the pattern provides multiple gauge references depending on the stitch pattern being used: