The Old Shale Project is a selection of lace scarf kits from Rare Purls Originals.  The kits are available in many different colorways  and we hope you enjoy the bit of mystery, that each grouping of yarns will turn out differently.  We have carefully chosen yarns of different weights, textures, and colors, all to be knit in a familiar, classic pattern.  We are also happy to customize a kit to match your color and fiber preferences.  The result will be a fashionable, generously sized scarf that is sure to be a wardrobe favorite.  If you use two matching kits, there will be sufficient yarn for an elegant lace wrap.  Please send us a photo of your finished project to lmather@rarepurls.net, so Luke can add it to our photo gallery, part of the fun!
Each kit includes 3 skeins of yarns, hand matched to make your scarf or wrap gorgeous.  The suggested needle size for your project will be the recommended needle size for the heaviest yarn of the 3 in your kit.  A larger needle will give a lacier look, if desired.  The stitch pattern is Old Shale, also known as Feather and Fan, a very popular and easy lace pattern.  This stitch pattern requires a cast on in a multiple of 18, should you decide to alter the width of your project.  We suggest a cast on of 36 for a scarf and 72 - 90 for a wrap. In case your labels get lost, Yarn A is your heaviest yarn.  Yarn B is the middle weight yarn and Yarn C is the remaining lightest weight, complementary skein.  If you choose to carry the yarns up the side of the wrap, it will save you from having to weave in many, many loose ends, but please be careful to keep the skeins from tangling as you knit.  When working with three yarns in one row repeats, the next yarn will be waiting for you, once the progression is established.

<----------------------------------------------- A
B----------------------------------------------->
<------------------------------------------------C
A------------------> and so on For scarf-

Cast on 36 stitches.
Old Shale Stitch Pattern
Row 1 - WIth Yarn A, knit across row
Row 2 - With Yarn B, purl across row 
Row 3 - With Yarn C, *(knit 2 together) 3 times, (yarn over, knit 1) 6 times, (knit 2 together) 3 times.  Repeat from * across row.
Row 4 - With Yarn A, knit across row
Row 5 - WIth Yarn B, knit across row
Row 6 - With Yarn C, purl across row
Row 7 - With Yarn A, repeat row 3
Row 8 - WIth Yarn B, knit across row
Row 9 - With Yarn C, knit across row
Row 10 - With Yarn A, purl across row
Row 11 - With Yarn B, repeat row 3
Row 12 - With Yarn C, knit across row
Repeat these 12 rows until there is not enough of a skein to complete the row (3 times the width of the row), or to desired length.  Use the remaining yarn to fringe the ends of the scarf, if desired.






        

Designer notes -  For this project, you will need at least 100 yards of each yarn for a scarf, 200 - 300 yards of each yarn for the wrap.  Our sample scarf had three yarns that were all approx. 150 yards, which made a generous scarf.  Of course, a quick 18 stitch swatch using your 3 yarns in pattern will give you a good idea of how large your project will be.  Use that measurement to multiply by the number of 18 stitch repeats you have chosen for your project, to get your finished width.