Beatrice

Beatrice Lace Stole by Rebecca Blair

What Is Being Made

Beatrice is a wide lace stole designed to showcase a large stylized floral motif. This knitted shawl features an integrated zigzagging border that encloses the central pattern, creating a sophisticated and cohesive design. The stole is knitted in one piece from short end to short end, beginning with a strip of edging that is 30 inches wide and 60 inches long, from which stitches are picked up to work the body of the shawl. The edging along the long sides is worked simultaneously with the centre of the shawl, ensuring a seamless and professionally finished garment.

Techniques Used

This advanced-level knitting project employs several sophisticated techniques to achieve its elegant finished appearance. The construction method involves picking up stitches from a cast-on edge to transition from the edging section to the main body of the shawl. The edging is knitted integrally with the body rather than added afterward, which requires careful stitch management and pattern coordination. Blocking is essential to this project, as the gauge is measured after blocking, indicating that the lace pattern and overall dimensions are achieved through wet or steam blocking with blocking wires and T-pins.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The gauge for Beatrice is 22 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in garter stitch after blocking. The project utilizes lace-weight yarn and incorporates a large stylized floral motif as the central design element. The zigzagging border is an integral part of the stitch pattern, worked simultaneously with the body to create a unified, enclosed design. Stitch markers are used throughout the project to help manage pattern repeats and maintain accuracy in the lace sections.

Materials and Yarn

Beatrice is designed to be knitted with Knit Picks Aloft yarn, a luxurious blend of 75% super kid mohair and 25% silk. This fiber combination creates a shawl that is warm, lightweight, and exceptionally soft with a characteristic halo effect. Five balls of yarn in the Jade colorway are required, with each ball containing 246 yards and weighing 25 grams. The pattern calls for US #4 (3.5mm) needles, which may be straight or circular depending on the knitter's preference. Additional materials include scrap yarn for provisional cast-on, stitch markers for pattern tracking, a darning needle for weaving in ends, and T-pins and blocking wires (optional) for the blocking process.