South Seas Stole

A number of years ago my husband and I took an unforgettable vacation to the Solomon Islands. When I got this yarn this summer, I didn’t think of the Aegean Sea that the color was named for, but of the islands and the waters of the South Pacific. I wanted to knit a stole that reminded me of that incredible trip. For stitches I chose sea foam, two shell patterns, lots of sun, and surrounded them with gently lapping waves.

For a simpler shawl or scarf, see Pacific Islands. It uses one of the shell stitches, and the border is knit at the same time.

A .pdf of this pattern can be purchased at Patternfish.

Yarn: Lace weight, 1,000 yards.
Model: JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18, Aegean Blue.
Needles: US size 5 (3.75 mm) circulars and DPNs.
Crochet hooks: US size E (3.5 mm) or larger crochet hook for the provisional cast on. US size 13 (.85 mm) crochet hook, or whatever size fits through the hole in your beads.
Beads: Size 8/0 seed beads, 13 grams, silver lined, clear.
Gauge: Approximately 23 stitches x 26 rows to 4 inches in the Shell Lace stitch, blocked.
Finished size: 24 x 72 inches (61 x 183 cm).
Notions: Waste yarn for provisional cast on. Lifelines and stitch markers are optional.
Suggested retail price: $7.50

This pattern is listed on Ravelry.

Thank you!

Many, many thanks to my wonderful test knitters: Dixie, Kathryn, Keiko, and Kristie, without whom this pattern would be filled with holes and errors. Thank you, ladies!

Testimonials

This pattern was Lime & Violet's shawl of the week, May 13, 2008. This is what they said:
"Four different water-inspired lace patterns make up the center panel, which is then bordered by a fifth pattern of waves. Beads make the whole thing sparkle like sun on the ocean."

Judy in Connecticut writes:
"The shawl really spoke to me, as I spent a hunk of my childhood in Hawaii and I was lucky to find a yarn, a hand dyed called Atlantis, that made me remember my favorite spot on the Island, the cliffs over Hanauma bay, looking down at the pacific above the coral reef before it moved out to the deep ocean. So you, and the dye artist, gave me a huge hunk of my childhood back."