Cable-patterned bolster

Materials

Yarn

Alpaca from Schackenmayr (alpaca)

150g (512oz) sheep white no. 00002

3.5mm (size 4) needles

Finished size: 60cm (24cm) lon

CO 140 sts on a circular needle. Knit 2 rounds of moss stitch, first k1, p1 until the end of the row, then p1, k1 until the end of the row.

Rows 1–3: *P4, k16, p4, k4*.

Repeat from * to * until end of row.

Row 4: *p4, k16, p4, 2 sts are placed on a cn in front of the work, knit the next 2 sts k, then the 2 sts on the cn k. Repeat from * to * until the end of the row.

Rows 5–7: Repeat row 1.

Row 8: *P4, 4 sts are placed on a cn in front of the work, knit the next 4 sts k, then the 4 sts on the cn k, 4 sts are placed on a cn in front of the work, knit the next 4 sts k, then the 4 sts on the cn k, p4, 2 sts are placed on a cn in front of the work, knit the next 2 sts k, then the 2 sts on the cn k*. Repeat from * to * until the end of the row.

Rows 9–11: Repeat row 1.

Row 12: Repeat row 4.

Rows 13–15: Repeat row 1.

Row 16: *P4, k4, 4 sts are placed on a cn behind the work, knit the next 4 sts k, then the 4 sts on the cn k, k4, p4, 2 sts are placed on a cn in front of the work, knit the next 2 sts k, then the 2 sts on the cn k*. Repeat from * to * until the end of the row.

Repeat the pattern a total of 13 times. Then, knit rows 1–4 and row 2 as 1. Knit k2tog, yo1 until the end of the row, work 5 rows k and cast (bind) off.

The work should measure about 75cm (30in).

String:

CO 4 sts and knit k. When you finish the needle, tighten the wire on the back of the work and knit 1 new row k without turning the work. Continue until it measures about 90cm (35in).

Assembly:

Sew in loose ends. Tack (baste) with double thread along the bottom edge and pull as much as possible so it becomes a fixed ring with a diameter of about 3.5cm (112in). Attach the thread securely.

Make a fold along the top edge and thread the string. Make tassels for the ends.