Cantilevering Leaves

Cantilevering Leaves Stole by Janelle Martin

What is Being Made

The Cantilevering Leaves is a medium-weight lace stole designed by Janelle Martin, featuring elegant Japanese lace designs. This knitted accessory measures 23 inches wide by 77 inches long after blocking, making it a versatile wrap suitable for layering or draping. The stole showcases intricate lace patterning throughout, combining traditional Japanese lace aesthetics with contemporary stole construction.

Construction Method and Techniques

This stole employs a distinctive two-piece construction method. Each piece is worked separately from the bottom edge toward the centre back, then the two pieces are grafted together to create the finished stole. This approach allows for symmetrical patterning and precise control over the lace design placement. The grafting technique joins the pieces seamlessly, requiring intermediate-level skill and attention to detail. The finished dimensions of 23 inches wide by 77 inches long provide an elegant, elongated silhouette ideal for versatile styling.

Stitches and Lace Patterns

The Cantilevering Leaves stole features complex lace charting, particularly in Chart C, which defines the primary lace pattern. The design incorporates Japanese lace motifs that require following detailed stitch charts. Construction involves fundamental knitting techniques including increases and decreases to shape the lace pattern and create the characteristic openwork design. The intermediate skill level reflects the complexity of working from charts and maintaining pattern consistency across the two-piece construction.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern requires 1,500 yards of DK weight yarn, preferably in a solid or semi-solid colour to showcase the lace design. The recommended yarn is Elsebeth Lavold Silky Wool, a silk and wool blend composition of 45% wool, 35% silk, and 20% nylon, with a yardage of 192 yards per 50-gram skein. The sample shown uses 7 skeins in colour 58, Columbine, though tutorial samples were knitted in colour 14, Sweet Green. The silk and wool blend provides excellent drape and definition for lace work.

Needles and Gauge

The pattern calls for US #6 (4.00 mm) circular needles in a 32-40 inch or 80-100 cm length, sized to achieve the specified gauge. The required gauge is 20 stitches and 34 rows to 4 inches (10 cm) in the Chart C lace pattern after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions and ensuring the lace pattern displays as intended.

Additional Tools and Notions

• Six stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and construction sections
• Glow line tape to mark the current row on lace charts, improving readability during complex pattern work
• Fine cotton thread in a contrasting colour for grafting the two pieces together

Skill Level and Pattern Complexity

This pattern is rated as intermediate, appropriate for knitters with solid foundational skills. The complexity stems from several factors: following intricate lace charts, executing increases and decreases to maintain pattern integrity, managing the two-piece construction, and performing the grafting technique to join the pieces seamlessly. The use of support tools like glow line tape and stitch markers helps manage the chart-reading demands of this lace design.