Some projects start with a plan. Others start with a gift. The Opal Stole began with a set of Opal sock yarn minis from my mom. I knew I wanted to create something striped, but it took time for the shape and texture to fall into place—just like the stole itself, with its meditative rhythm and delicate lace.
 
This design is all about color and contrast. A neutral main color might seem like the obvious choice, but I wanted to test a theory: Any color can be a neutral. It’s all about balance. With a solid background and ever-changing stripes, the Opal Stole plays with perspective, proving that color is as much about proportion as it is about hue.
 
Designed for advanced beginners and beyond, this pattern is much easier than it looks. The lace is intuitive, always with a resting row, and the short stitch repeats make it easy to memorize. And take my advice—weave in your ends as you go! (I didn’t, and I regretted it.)
 
The finished stole is light and airy. Perfect for the office, an evening at the theater, or a breezy night at the beach.
 
Size
Finished Measurements: 
Length: 74 in/ 187.5 cm
Width: 10 (30) in/ 77.5 cm
 
Gauge
18.5 Sts and 28.5 rows per 4 in/ 10 cm in Contrast Stripes pattern 
Block swatch before measuring gauge
 
Yarn
Fingering-weight yarn
Main Color: 707 yards/ 647 meters 
Contrast Colors(x26): 15 (46.5) yard/14 (42.5) meter 4 (10) g mini skeins or scrap yarns
 
Sample Yarn:
Main Color: Opal 4-fach Pullover & Sockenwolle: Die Sinne Verstricken (Entangle the Senses) 75% virgin wool, 25% polyamide, 465 yards/425 meters per 100g skein, in colorway Orange
 
Contrast Color(x 26): Opal 4-fach Pullover & Sockenwolle, 75% virgin wool, 25% nylon, 46.5 yards/ 42.5 meters per 10g skein