by Rachel Henry

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.

SIZE
One, adjustable

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Length: 72 inches
Width: 12 inches

MATERIALS
Fiber:
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Handpainted Roving [40% Merino / 40% Superwash Merino / 20% Tussah Silk]; color: Spring Fever; 8 oz.


Finished Yarn:
Wraps per inch: 9
Ply: 2
Yardage used: 670 yards/615 meters
Drafting method: modified long-draw, moderate twist

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

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.

DIRECTIONS

Work Rows 1-70 of Starting Chart.
71 sts.

Work Rows 1-28 of Body Chart.

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.

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.