Valley Yarns Rhea Lace Stole Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Rhea Lace Stole

What Is Being Made

The Rhea Lace Stole is a delicate, rectangular wrap named after the ancient Minoan goddess. This knitted shawl measures approximately 24 inches by 72 inches when properly blocked, making it an elegant accessory suitable for draping across shoulders or styling as a versatile wrap. The design combines old and new lace patterns to showcase the inherent beauty of hand-dyed materials with a natural, organic aesthetic.

Techniques Used

This seamless, flat-worked design employs lace knitting as its primary technique. The stole is constructed by knitting separate end pieces first, then picking up stitches along the long edges to work the main body. The lace patterns are integrated throughout to create openwork sections that contribute to the garment's elegant drape and visual interest. The finishing process includes soaking in Eucalan wool wash and rigorous blocking, with the preferred method involving stretching the damp stole on a wooden frame and whip-stitching each edge to secure the desired dimensions.

Stitches Used

The pattern incorporates fundamental lace and shaping stitches, including:

• Yarn overs (yo) – creating the openwork characteristic of lace knitting
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease
• Purl 2 together (p2tog) – a decrease worked on the purl side
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease, equivalent to slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (SKP)
• Slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over (sl1-k2tog-psso) – a double decrease for more pronounced shaping

These stitches work together to create both the lace openings and the structured shaping necessary for the stole's construction.

Materials and Tools

The Rhea Lace Stole requires one skein of Hand Dyed 2/14 Alpaca Silk by Valley Yarns, with a minimum weight of 0.25 pounds and yardage of 825 yards. This luxurious fiber blend combines the softness of alpaca with the sheen and drape of silk, allowing the hand-dyed colorways to display their full character. Size 5 needles are used for construction. The finishing process calls for Eucalan wool wash for soaking and a wooden blocking frame for shaping.

Difficulty Level

Rated as a beginner project, the Rhea Lace Stole is accessible to knitters new to lace work. The pattern uses straightforward lace stitches and a logical construction method, making it an excellent introduction to lace knitting techniques while producing a sophisticated finished garment.