Now that my friend Pastor T has been appointed to her first solo Methodist charge, this rainbow stole is a gift to send her to her new congregation with the love and spirit of inclusion of her current appointment.

I’m adapting the beading of this pattern to create cross motifs. Beads: http://www.artbeads.com/tbrd3-34.html

Beaded picot cast on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q61w2-n0EXY

First attempt with Icelandic wool yarn Bonita Yarns Kaleidoscopic. Too much texture to the yarn, like felting already. Using beads would have been a nightmare.

Second attempt with wool-silk-cashmere Force yarn. A dream to work with, but the emerging lace pattern is too delicate for a scarf you have to see from the back of a sanctuary as a clergy stole. The fabric would be drapey but again that’s not right for this application. Also learned that the beading will not be that visible with the lace pattern, so next attempt will use the lace borders but a stockinette body to show off the beading.

Third attempt with Chroma fingering. Also too soft, not enough structure.

Fourth attempt with Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport, a mitten kit’s worth of mini-skeins from Knitterly Things. Finally, success, good stitch definition, and the fabric is holding its shape without any blocking at all.

6/28/15 Up through orange section of beaded pattern, decide I really want a hot-pink segment to my rainbow, and besides I won’t have enough of the dark purple after making the other border and beaded section to also make purple stripes in the upper part of the stole. Ordered a 50g ball each of Cherry Delight and Regal Purple hope it’s the same purple! to supplement the Mitten Kit. Pausing on 1st half, starting 2nd half while yarn is on the way.