I read about fractal spinning and had to try it out. Like magic, colorful high-contrast fiber fluff became self-striping-ish prismatic handspun. I absolutely adored the finished yarn, but it needed to be knit up into something special. Pattern searches left me unsatisfied -- the only solution was to design the perfect stole.
My requirements: mostly stockinette, with just enough pattern to keep my interest without distracting from the colorful yarn.
Nahant highlights the color changes of my fractal handspun with a subtle leaf pattern that doesn't fight for attention. Knit on the bias, it resists curling. Use any weight yarn (just choose the appropriate needle), and make it as wide or as narrow as you like. Length is flexible too, so you can make the most of that precious handspun yarn.
Spinning tool: Schacht Ladybug (Scotch tension), attached lazy kate Niddy-noddy: no-brand 2-yard from The Woolery
Commercial Yarn Alternative Classic Elite Yarns Liberty Wool [100% wool; 122 yards / 112 meters per 50g ball]; 6 balls of any self-striping colorway
Recommended needle size [always use a needle size that
gives you the gauge listed below --
every knitter's gauge is unique] US #8/5.mm needles
Tools yarn
needle stitch markers
GAUGE
18 sts/24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Approx. 17.5 sts/24 rows = 4 inches in pattern stitch
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
All WS rows are purled.
(k1, yo, k1): k1, then yo, then k1, all in the next st (a double increase)
sssk: slip the next 3 sts, 1 by 1, knitwise; insert tip of left needle from left to right into the fronts of those 3 sts, and knit them together (2 sts decreased)
In order to make the most of your handspun yarn, weigh your skein before and after working the setup chart, and subtract to find the grams used. Multiply that number by 1.1, and save at least that many grams for working the finish chart.
Charts The charts for this pattern are very large. Each fits on a letter-sized
page.
Click below and print each resulting page.
Repeat Rows 15-28 of Body Chart until stole reaches desired length.
Work Rows 1-69 of Ending Chart.
Cut yarn and pull through final st to secure.
FINISHING
Weave in loose ends.
Wash and block gently.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Rachel Henry began designing in 2009 after a lifetime of knitting for pleasure. Her most popular pattern to date is Kudzu, a lace shawlette. Her patterns can be found through Ravelry, Classic Elite Yarns, Knitty.com, and Skacel.
Rachel competed on the first season of "The Fiber Factor" and her design "Hillcrest" won the colorwork challenge. Rachel enjoys the little details of knitting -- getting things just right is a thrill. She adores unusual construction and novel stitch patterns. She works at a local yarn shop, teaches knitting classes, and blogs about her knitting and designs.
