𝗢𝗹𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

If you're looking for inspiration for your next knitting project, this article will introduce you to the beautiful Old Shale stitch and variations.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Classic Old Shale stitch
• Popular variations of the Old Shale stitch
• Pattern 1
• Pattern 2
• Pattern 3
• Pattern 4
• Related Project Patterns

Introduction

The Old Shale stitch has a rich history, rooted in Shetland lace knitting, which became widely popular in the 19th century. Often mistaken for the Feather and Fan stitch, both are classic lace knitting stitches that create beautiful wave-like patterns, adding a delicate touch to projects.

This lace pattern is formed by a simple combination of knit, purl, decrease (K2tog), and yarn over (YO) techniques. With just 4 rows that repeat, it’s as easy as pie!

Classic Old Shale stitch

With different yarn types and weights, such as single-color, ombre, gradient, or self-striping yarns, the wave effect of the Old Shale stitch changes, creating a unique texture. The stitch pattern is typically worked over a multiple of 18 stitches.

Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches.

Row 2: Purl all stitches.

Row 3: The main lace row, involving a combination of K2tog (knit 2 together) to decrease stitches and YO (yarn over) to increase them, creating the signature wave-like effect: (K2tog) three times, (YO, K1) six times, (K2tog) three times; repeat from * to end.

Row 4: Knit all stitches again.

Repeat rows 1-4 to continue the pattern.

Popular variations of Old Shale stitch

Over time, knitters have developed many variations of the Old Shale stitch by changing yarns, colors, stitch counts, and additional techniques. In this article, I share 4 patterns, all of which require casting on a multiple of 18 stitches.

Pattern 1

Use stockinette stitch for the plain rows instead of garter stitch.

Row 1 - RS: Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: *(K2tog) three times, (YO, K1) six times, (K2tog) three times; rep from * to end.
Row 4: Purl.
Repeat rows 1-4.

Pattern 2

Row 1 - RS: Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: *(K2tog) three times, (YO, K1) six times, (K2tog) three times; rep from * to end.
Row 6: Knit.
Repeat rows 1-6.

Pattern 3

Row 1 - RS: Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: * (P2tog) three times, (YO, K1) six times, (P2tog) three times; rep from * to end.
Row 4: Purl.
Repeat rows 1-4.

Pattern 4

Row 1 - RS: Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: * (P2tog) three times, (YO, K1) six times, (P2tog) three times; rep from * to end.
Row 4: Knit.
Repeat rows 1-4.

Related Project Patterns

Shetland Mantra Scarf by Panka's Patterns [Link]

Old Shale Waves blanket by Carroll Davis-Johnson [Link]