Somerset Stole

Somerset Stole by Jill Wolcott

Project Overview

The Somerset Stole is a modified wing-span shawl designed by Jill Wolcott that combines multiple stitch patterns to create a versatile, wearable garment. This intermediate-level knitting project features elegant lace work and structural shaping, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are ready to tackle more complex stitch combinations and shaping techniques.

What is Being Made

Somerset is a long shawl with practical shaping that allows it to be worn either as a traditional long wrap or more easily managed as a shorter wrapped style. The design addresses the common challenge of managing lengthy shawls by incorporating gentle shaping throughout the main body, making this piece both beautiful and functional for everyday wear.

Main Stitch Patterns and Techniques

This design showcases three distinct stitch patterns working together in harmony:

• Eyelet Lace: The primary decorative element, featuring the Arrowhead lace pattern used in two different stitch multiples. The larger stitch multiple appears along one long edge as part of the main body, while a smaller stitch multiple is used to finish the top edge, creating visual interest and variation throughout the piece.
• Slip Stitch Cable: This pattern is cleverly repurposed to form the vertical borders of the shawl, creating a frame for the main lace work and adding structural definition to the edges.
• German Short Rows: Used as a shaping technique to accommodate the different row multiples of the two main stitch patterns while simultaneously creating the gentle shaping that makes this long shawl easy to wear and manage.

Design Construction

The Somerset Stole demonstrates thoughtful pattern engineering. The two main stitch patterns—the Arrowhead lace and slip stitch cable—have different row multiples, which could present a construction challenge. Jill Wolcott solved this by incorporating German short rows, a technique that not only accommodates the varying stitch multiples but also provides the gentle shaping that distinguishes this design from traditional flat wing-span shawls. The vertical borders derived from the slip stitch cable pattern add visual structure and frame the lace work beautifully.

Yarn and Materials

Somerset is designed to work with 3-ply or 4-ply yarn weight, making it suitable for fingering to sport weight yarns. The project can be completed as either a one-skein or two-skein project, depending on which size option you choose and how much knitting you wish to undertake. This flexibility makes Somerset accessible to knitters with varying amounts of yarn on hand.

Skill Level

Rated as intermediate difficulty, this pattern is best suited for knitters who are comfortable with lace knitting, cable stitches, and shaping techniques. Familiarity with reading lace charts and understanding short-row shaping will enhance your experience with this design.