La Merveille

Fog envelopes the bay like a soft woolly blanket. Waves gently roll on the velvety sand. It’s standing there, proud on its rocky island and shrouded in mystery: The Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey; a Gothic pearl surrounded by the ocean. With or without fog, the site is mesmerizing, and the thought that people built this marvel centuries ago is awe-inspiring.

La Merveille scarf / stole is a tribute to the Mont-Saint-Michel architectural wonders and is named after one of the buildings of the abbey. It sports lace and twisted stitch patterns inspired by Gothic architecture. La Merveille is stylish, and is reversible with a clear A side and B side that will keep you entertained while knitting. Join us and wrap yourself in mystery!

Translated literally, La Merveille means "The Marvel" in French, but in this specific case, it's the name given to one of the Gothic buildings of the Mont-Saint-Michel Abbey: A tall building full of Gothic details. The fact that people built such a marvelous building with the little means they had in the Middle-Ages is a wonder. La Merveille scarf / stole is truly a tribute to this prowess and to the architectural wonders that remain to this day for our own enjoyment.

How to pronounce Merveille: Click here

For best effect, use a reasonable round yarn or single with enough stitch definition. Yarn weights ranging from Fingering to DK would be suitable. As for colorways, I would recommend solid, semi-solid, or gradient (single skein or gradient set) yarns.

Do you like the La Merveille scarf? You might like those patterns too: The Arboricole cowl, and the Qosmos scarf / stole. For endless fun with intricate-looking combination of lace and twisted stitches! Check them out!

Yarn
Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (Fingering; 100% Merino; 384 meters / 420 yards per 100 grams); [1,3] skein(s). The sample (small size) uses 95 grams in color Penumbra.
The stole (large size) uses 254 grams.

Needles
3 mm (US size 2.5) 60 cm / 24 inches circular needle or size to obtain gauge.

Gauge
27.5 stitches and 40 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stockinette stitch, unblocked.
27.5 stitches and 29 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stitch Pattern B – Ribbed Vault, blocked.
27.5 stitches and 28 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stitch Pattern C – Pointed Arch, blocked.
Note: obtaining the gauge given is not crucial but will affect the finished size and the yardage needed.

Notions
Stitch markers (optional): 2 in color A (edge marker), [3,8] in color B (repeat marker). Tapestry needle. Blocking pins. Blocking wires (optional).

Sizes
Small (scarf), large (stole); easily customizable.

Final measurements
Small size (scarf): Width (w): 20.5 cm / 8 inches, length (l): 147 cm / 57.75 inches.
Large size (stole): Width (w): 50 cm / 19.75 inches, length (l): 147 cm / 57.75 inches.

Skill level
Basic stitches, increases, decreases (knits and purls), twisted stitches, cable stitches, smocked stitches. Stitch pattern requiring some attention. Patterning on all rows. Elastic BO.
Video tutorials are provided for the stitches and techniques used.

Pattern notes
This pattern is worked flat starting from the short side. The stitch count remains constant throughout the whole pattern. Suggestions are given to customize the pattern.
Charts and written instructions are provided as well as clear video tutorials for the used stitches and techniques.

Pattern support
For questions about this pattern, please PM me on Ravelry or send me an email. Contact details are provided.

Thank you note
I’d like to send a big thank you to my truly awesome test knitters on Ravelry: Myllim. Thanks a lot for your time and dedication, for helping me make this pattern even better and for showing how the pattern would look like with different yarns!

Want to get a free cowl? Read on!

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