I
have been passionate about knitting for many years. It seems
only natural
that as a love and appreciation for yarn
develops, the desire to create one's own yarn is soon to
follow. So, five years ago I entered the wonderful world
of spinning. I began with a drop spindle to learn
the ins and outs of fiber behavior before moving
on to the purchase of my Lendrum wheel (lovingly
dubbed Jane).
As most spinners will tell you, some fibers are a particular
joy to spin. So, when I spotted this alpaca in
a booth at the annual World Sheep and Fiber Arts Festival
in the tiny town of Bethel, Missouri, I was eager
to get spinning.
I suspected the nature
of the potential yarn that was stored within its lofty brilliance,
and I was not disappointed. Spinning the Whirlwind
Ranch Alpaca was everything I hoped it'd be and more.
When the blissful process was complete, I had a skein of
yarn that begged to be wrapped in and adored. The
beauty of the finished yarn did not need much, in fact I
considered just hanging the hank around my neck and
leaving it at that. After
some consideration, I chose this simple lace pattern
to highlight the silky soft alpaca and to create
this lovely
stole. It's a pleasure to look at, but even more
glorious to feel the softness created by this amazing
fiber.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below
-- every knitter's gauge is unique] 24-inch
US #7/4.5mm circular needle
Tools Stitch
markers Rust-proof pins for blocking Yarn
needle
GAUGE
20 sts/20 rows = 4 inches
in pattern stitch, after blocking
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
DIRECTIONS
SHAWL
Lower Edging
Cast on 79 stitches.
Knit 5 rows.
Setup markers [WS]: K6, place marker, k to last 6 sts, place marker, k6.
Markers separate out patterned area from edging. Slip markers as
you come to them.
Body Row 1 [RS]: K6, k2,
[yo, k4, sk2po, k4, yo, k2]
to last 6 sts, k6.
Row 2 [WS]: K6, p
to last 6 sts, k6.
Repeat Row 1 & 2 3 more times, and work Row
1 once more.
Rows 10-12: Knit.
Repeat the above 12 rows until you’re nearly out of yarn.
Knit 3 more rows.
Bind off loosely.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.
Block shawl to specified dimensions, pinning out the scallops at each end.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Gena lives in Port St. Joe, Florida, and
when she’s not busy
homeschooling her 3 children, she can be
found knitting, spinning, and generally
revelling in the glory of fiber.
