Stachys name refers to Stachys bysantina, a white silvery plant whose leaves, stem and corolla are covered with a fur-like hair coating. It is also named lamb’s ear.
Stachys is made of 100% of Est-à-laine Merino sheep and lambs wool, a yarn specific of a flock traditionally raised in Alsace-Loraine. This hight quality yarn non superwash and not bleached is produced by Fleurs de laine.

Stachys is worked bottom up, in the round to the underarms with a wasp-nest stitches pattern. Front and back are worked flat and separately, and then joined at the shoulders. Stitches are picked up around the armholes and worked in the round toward the cuff. A band of bubble stitch pattern (adapted from the sweater Osmunda from Boadicea Binnerts) embellishes the end of each sleeve. Finally stitches are picked up around the neckline and a decorative band is worked perpendiculary.

Sizes: 5-6 y; 7-8 y; 9-10 y; 11-12 y; 13-14 y
Level: intermediaire. The stitches are easy to do.

Materials
Yarn
Fleur de laine (https://www.fleursdelaine.fr), Bergère (60% Est-à-laine merino, 40% lamb Est-à-laine merino, 3,5 oz / 100 g, 279 y / 255 m), natural: 3 (3, 4, 5, 5.5) skeins.
Or 840 (985, 1150, 1280, 1450) yards / 770 (900, 1050, 1170, 1320) meters of DK yarn that meets the gauge.
Needles
US 7 / 4.5 mm circular needle for working the body or size needed to obtain gauge.
US 5 / 3.75 mm circular needle for the ribs or 2 sizes smaller than the main needle.
2 DPN US 7 / 4.5 mm to close the shoulders.
Notions
1 cable needle.
Scrap yarn.
5 stitch markers.
2 stitches holders.
Tapestry needle.
Gauge
21 sts x 29 rows worked in stocking sts over 4 in / 10 cm using US 7 / 4.5 mm needle, washed and blocked.
25 sts x 31 rows worked in pattern over 4 in / 10 cm using US 7 / 4.5 mm needle, washed and blocked.

Metric and imperial measures.
Schematic and written instructions instructions are provided.

The pattern is free when you buy the wool at https://www.fleursdelaine.fr