Windmill Bay Stole

Windmill Bay Stole by SashkaKnits

What Is Being Made

Windmill Bay is a luxurious knitted stole designed by Sashka Macievich as a versatile wrap for everyday comfort. This rectangular stole measures 22 inches wide by 90 inches long in its finished state (56 cm by 230 cm), with blocked dimensions of 24 inches by 90 inches (61 cm by 230 cm). The design is intended as a go-to stole for casual settings—whether draped around a campfire or snuggled on the sofa while watching a favorite movie—and makes an excellent gift for friends near and far.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

Windmill Bay is knit from end to end, a construction method that creates the garment by working lengthwise rather than from top to bottom. This approach allows the designer to integrate multiple stitch pattern sections seamlessly. The stole features a thoughtfully arranged structure with ribbed sections and cabled sections flanking a lacy pattern section in the center. This combination of textures creates visual interest and dimensional depth throughout the piece.

The lace and cable sections are designed to be accessible for advanced beginner knitters, making this an ideal project for those looking to expand their skills beyond basic stockinette stitch. The pattern requires careful attention to detail and blocking to achieve the intended finished dimensions and drape.

Stitches and Pattern Details

The stole incorporates three primary stitch pattern categories:

• Ribbed sections that provide structure and elasticity
• Cable sections that add textural interest and dimension
• Lacy pattern sections that create an open, delicate aesthetic

The pattern includes both written and charted instructions, allowing knitters to follow their preferred method of instruction. This dual-format approach accommodates different learning styles and makes the pattern accessible to a wider range of knitters.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Windmill Bay is designed to be knit with Drops Alpaca, a luxurious 100% pure alpaca yarn. The project requires 7 balls of Drops Alpaca in colour 4434 purple, with each ball containing 50 grams and providing 182 yards (167 meters) of yardage. This totals approximately 1,274 yards of yarn for the completed stole.

The pattern recommends using US size 5 (3.75mm) knitting needles or the size required to obtain correct gauge. The designer notes that if substituting yarn, knitters should keep in mind that Windmill Bay requires hard blocking and that natural wool fibers will yield results most similar to the original sample. This guidance emphasizes the importance of fiber choice and blocking technique in achieving the intended finished appearance and drape of the stole.

Difficulty Level

This project is classified as advanced difficulty, though the lace and cable sections themselves are noted as manageable for advanced beginner knitters. The advanced classification likely reflects the overall project scope, the end-to-end construction method, and the importance of proper blocking and finishing to achieve professional results.