Walking through the bamboo forest in the Arashiyama (嵐山) district of Kyoto, Japan, is a truly mystical experience. Your first step into the grove transports you. Instantly, the heat, glare, and noise of the city is gone. The light inside filters softly through the towering stalks; the air is cool and clean. The bamboo creates an almost active hush on all the senses. Every breath taken inside the grove decompresses the body and heart; every step gently invigorates. The cocoon of Arashiyama’s bamboo grove is deep and transformative.

Our Arashiyama, a stole worked side to side in one piece, is inspired by Kyoto’s bamboo grove. Alternating bands of mossy greens and a wheat tones evoke the towering bamboo stalks and warm light inside the grove. Lengths of stockinette frame windows of mesh that, worked consistently in the same direction, tug the fabric into a gentle bias reminiscent of the way even the strongest bamboo sways in a gentle breeze. Worked in Why Knot Fibers’ Sparkle Gradients and Sole yarns, the fingering-weight fabric has elegant drape and warmth, with just a hint of magical sparkle. Arashiyama is a gentle cocoon and a perfectly stylish defense against conventionality and city life.

Yarn and Yardage. Arashiyama is worked in one Stardust Gradients set of five mini skeins (87 yards each, 435 yards total) in Moss plus one skein of Sole in Winter Wheat. The stole incorporates most of each skein, or approximately 835 total yards of fingering weight yarn. Note: If your gauge differs from the stated gauge, you may require additional yardage to complete Arashiyama.

Needles. We recommend using a circular needle to work Arashiyama because it is worked on the long edge, and circular needles accommodate the wide fabric.

Modifications. Arashiyama can be made shorter or longer in 11 stitch increments, and additional (or fewer) sections of green bamboo can easily be worked. It also could be lovely in other weights of yarn. Changes to the pattern, including the stitch count, gauge, or yarn may require additional skeins to complete.

Notions. A tapestry needle

Techniques. Knit (k), purl (p), yarn over (yo), knit two together (k2tog), changing colors at the end of a row.

Instructions. The pattern includes both charted and fully written instructions.