Farnsfield Stole Pattern

The pdf pattern includes both written instructions and charts are included for all lace patterns; with written instructions only for the basic construction details.

Farnsfield is an elegant, rectangular lace wrap/stole, which can be knit in a range of widths and lengths for a great fit. Light yet warm, it is the perfect wrap for any occasion.

Farnsfield is named for a Nottinghamshire village where the designer’s sheep farming ancestors lived in the distant past.

Multiple connections, fine and delicate as lace yarn, connect this design with the rural landscape of her native Nottinghamshire. The leaf and flower patterns reflect the natural environment, but there are less obvious links to the historic architecture of Georgian red brick farm buildings in the farming villages. One small detail often seen on Georgian Nottinghamshire threshing barns is a distinctive lozenge ventilator constructed from bricks; a decorative diamond shaped structure of bricks and spaces. Similar lozenge

shapes can be seen in the design for Farnsfield with diamond shaped leaves and placement of the flower motifs. Even the flowers themselves are truncated diamonds, with the stitches forming the structure around the lace holes.

The lace patterns come together to create a stunning design, without being overly complicated to knit. Once the main patterning is established, it becomes reassuringly predictable and familiar like the details in historic architecture.

The shawl is worked as two identical pieces. Each part starts with a knitted cast-on using doubled yarn, producing a decorative edge which complements the lace. The lace edge is worked, followed by the main pattern, ending at the centre of the stole. Finally, the live stitches from the two pieces are joined together either by grafting or a three-needle bind-off.

Farnsfield is knitted in Susan Crawford’s Marilyn, a luxurious 2 ply lace weight yarn, created from a blend of 55% Merino wool and 45% Silk which produce a fabulously soft fabric with a beautiful drape. The yarn is hand dyed in-house at Susan Crawford Vintage in a small but stunning range of rich, jewel like shades, including the gorgeous shade shown here which is Gilda. The yarn can be purchased separately or as a kit either with or without a printed version of the pattern included.

Pattern sizes

The lace is knitted at a gauge of 22 sts and 36 rows over the diamond patterned lace (Chart B).

When knitted to gauge, stole measures approximately:

• Length 132 (178) cm / 52¾ (71¼) inches
• Width 52½ (63½, 74½, 85½) cm / 21 (25½, 29¾, 34¼) inches

Size can be adjusted by working to a different gauge and/or by adjusting the number of row repeats, but yarn requirements will change accordingly.

Yarn requirements

Yarn requirements are for the weight of yarn and number of repeats stated at the given gauge.

Long option requires approximately 1.3 (1.6, 1.8, 2.1) skeins of laceweight with 800 metres (875 yards) per 100g.

Short option requires approximately 1 (1.2, 1.4, 1.6) skeins of laceweight with 800 metres (875 yards) per 100g.

Yarn requirements are for the weight of yarn and number of repeats stated at the given gauge. It is easy to customize the length of the stole if desired, which may also be useful if you use an alternative yarn weight and/or gauge.

As required by UK and EU law, terms and conditions can be found on my website www.literallyyarn.co.uk for you to read and save before purchase.