North Coast

Unlike most people I’ve known when I think of the perfect beach, I don’t think of a tropical island with swaying palm trees, or sunbathing in the hot sun with plenty of tanning lotion. Well, okay, I do think of tropical islands and palm trees, but what makes my heart soar are thoughts of a cold, rocky, storm-lashed coastline with high cliffs, and tiny, pebble-strewn beaches lined by great tide pools—the kind of beaches often found from northern California through southern Oregon.

Here, the classic Print of the Wave center and border stitches are combined a little differently than normal. The lace portion is knit from point to point from a provisional cast on. Stitches are later picked up along the edge and worked in garter stitch short rows to form a crescent-shaped stole that will keep your shoulders warm on the stormiest days the north coast can throw at you, while waves leave their prints in the sand.

• Yarn: lace weight held double 1150 yards, or fingering weight 575 yards.
• Model: madelinetosh tosh lace in Baltic, held double; 950 yards in 114 grams; 100% merino.
• Gauge: 18.5 sts to 4 inches (10 cm) in lace pattern, blocked.
• Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm).
• Crochet hook: US F (3.75 mm) or larger for provisional cast on.
• Finished size: 48.5 at top edge x 13 inches.
• Stitch instructions: Charted only.