The Hecate Stole

The Hecate Stole by Andrea Jurgrau

What is Being Made

The Hecate Stole is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Andrea Jurgrau and inspired by the goddess of the crossroads and queen of ghosts. This is a downloadable PDF knitting pattern for a lace-weight shawl that measures 18 inches wide by 68 inches long, though the length is customizable based on the knitter's preferences and available yarn.

Techniques Used

This shawl pattern incorporates several advanced knitting techniques suitable for intermediate-level crafters. The construction involves working back and forth on circular needles rather than in the round, which allows for the creation of the rectangular stole shape. The pattern includes beadwork integration, requiring the knitter to thread Japanese beads onto the yarn and incorporate them into the knitted fabric using a crochet hook. A temporary cast-on using smooth yarn is employed to allow for future stitch manipulation or grafting, and stitch markers are used throughout to help track pattern repeats and shaping.

Stitches and Stitch Work

While the specific stitch abbreviations are not detailed in the provided content, the pattern is classified as a lace-weight design, which typically features openwork stitches, yarn overs, and decreases that create the characteristic delicate, airy fabric of lace knitting. The beading technique requires the knitter to use a crochet hook to pull beads through stitches, adding embellishment and visual interest to the finished piece.

Materials Required

• Yarn: 1200–1500 yards of lace-weight yarn. The designer used 100 grams of Elann Peruvian Baby Lace Merino in Aubergine (600 yards per 50 grams, 2/22 weight), demonstrating the delicate nature of the yarn required.
• Needles: Appropriate knitting needles sized for your chosen lace-weight yarn. The designer used US 3 circular needles, though the work is completed back and forth rather than in the round.
• Beads: A six-inch tube of Japanese #8 beads in silver-lined iridescent gold for embellishment.
• Additional Tools: A crochet hook sized to fit through the selected beads (typically US #10–#13), stainless steel T-pins for blocking, smooth yarn for the temporary cast-on, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, and stitch markers as preferred.

Pattern Overview

The Hecate Stole combines lace knitting with beadwork to create an elegant, mythologically inspired accessory. The pattern's intermediate difficulty level makes it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic lace techniques and are ready to incorporate beading into their work. The customizable length allows crafters to adjust the final dimensions based on their yarn quantity and desired drape, making this a versatile pattern for different preferences and yarn availability.