In his book Just Mercy, public interest lawyer and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative Bryan Stevenson tells of meeting a woman in the courthouse after one of his trials. After her grandson was murdered, she explained, she began frequenting the courthouse in order to be there for others who were hurting. “I decided that I was supposed to be here to catch some of the stones people cast at each other,” she told Bryan, calling him a fellow stonecatcher.

Not all of us work in professions so obviously poised for stonecatching. But all of us, in our daily lives, have the opportunity to step in and help to shield others from hurt. We can lean into our common humanity instead of holing up in our own lives and letting others fend for themselves.

Stonecatcher is knit from the center out, which gives the finished piece a complex and satisfying symmetry. After growing from a garter tab into a triangle, the stitches are divided and worked outward on the bias to create the wrap’s trapezoid shape. The pattern includes tips for altering both length and width and a link to a free weight-based planning worksheet to help you with color placement. Mosaic and lace are both written and charted.

SIZE
Length: 94” / 239 cm
Width: 20” / 51 cm
Measurements taken after firm blocking. Wrap will shrink some with wear.

YARN
Shown in Birch Hollow Fibers Morrison MCN Sock (80% Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon; 435 yd / 398 m per 100 g / 3.53 oz skein) in Winter (C1), Slated (C2), and Ballgown (C3); 1 skein each.

To substitute another fingering-weight yarn:
— C1: approximately 458 yd / 419 m of fingering weight yarn
— C2: approximately 432 yd / 395 m of fingering weight yarn
— C3: approximately 401 yd / 367 m of fingering weight yarn

Totals include an 8% buffer. Pattern includes a link to a free planning worksheet.

NEEDLES
US 4 / 3.5 mm circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge; 40” / 100 cm or longer circular needles are recommended to accommodate large number of stitches

US 3 / 3.25 mm circular needles, or one size smaller than main needles (optional, to keep lace at a gauge similar to mosaic sections)

NOTIONS
2 stitch markers, waste yarn or spare cable to hold 143 live stitches, tapestry needle

GAUGE
20.5 stitches and 32 rows = 4” / 10 cm in stockinette stitch on larger needles after firm blocking

TECHNIQUES
Single increases, single and double decreases, yarn overs, garter tab cast on, mosaic knitting, lace with no rest rows. Pattern includes links to more information about required stitches and techniques.

Here’s how testers described Stonecatcher: stunning, fun, absorbing, addictive, engaging, unique, technically interesting, satisfying, therapeutic, easy to follow, a pleasure, relaxing, balanced, memorable, surprising, enjoyable, inspirational, mesmerizing, intricate, fascinating, wonderful, educational, exciting, colorful, versatile, dramatic, captivating, “challenging but not hard,“ and “like painting a picture.”

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