Exercise: Shell-Work Wristlets

The shell-work wristlets pattern proved irrestistible; I had to cast on the next day to experiment with the results. I used Jamieson's Shetland wool in four different shades, blending from dark to light, which was a common recommendation in nineteenth-century patterns. I think it would look lovely in one shade throughout, especially a lighter color. The striping that would be produced by two different shades, as the pattern suggests, would also give a pretty effect.

My pattern notes are as follows:

Materials:

• Jamieson's Shetland Spindrift Wool, less than 10 g of each (colors from dark to light: Old Rose (#556) Wild Violet (#153); Dog Rose (#268); Eesit (#105)
• Size 0 double pointed needles

CO 54 stitches using a long-tail cast on (the "double knitting" specified in the pattern) and distribute 18 stitches on each of three needles.

Row 1: *Purl 2; knit 1; yo; knit 4; k2tog*; repeat * to * to end of round.

Row 2:  *Purl 2; knit 2; yo; knit 3; k2tog*; repeat * to * to end of round.

Row 3: *Purl 2; knit 3; yo; knit 2; k2tog*; repeat * to * to end of round.

Row 4: *Purl 2; knit 4; yo; knit 1; k2tog*; repeat * to * to end of round.

Row 5: *Purl 2; knit 5; yo; k2tog*; repeat * to * to end of round.

Repeat these five rounds until desired length is reached; then cast off in pattern (including yo and k2tog).

For my sample wristlet, I knit two rounds of each of the first three colors, and then three rounds of the last one (for some reason, only two rounds looked too short). The resulting dimensions are 6 inches in circumference and 3.75 inches in length.