Nicholson Hollow is a cozy and squishy wrap that features a lengthened basketweave stitch. It was inspired by beautiful white oak baskets handcrafted by the locals many years ago in the Shenandoah Valley, and an homage to my grandparents, who instilled in me an appreciation for craft and creativity.

My grandparents, Chuck and Nan, were folklorists and professors. Their life’s work often involved giving a voice to the voiceless and downtrodden, and they spent many years recording the stories of those less fortunate than themselves. Before they passed away, they were working on a book about the residents of Nicholson Hollow in the Shenandoah Valley. The government removed many families from their homes in order to form the Shenandoah National Park. These communities were fairly independent from outside society, but the Nicholson family was well known for their beautiful and sturdy white oak baskets. My grandparents collected a variety of these baskets while documenting the struggles of the Great Depression and this largely hushed-up mass eviction.

One of these baskets sits in my office, full to the brim with yarn of course. The smooth, honey-colored strips of wood and simple, angular weave begged to be recreated in my favorite medium. Thus, this wrap was born.

It’s worked lengthwise, from top to bottom, in three sections. The stitches used here are all quite simple, even for the lace, but the sections are varied enough to keep things interesting despite the long rows.

This wrap’s width is easy to customize by working more repeats of the pattern. The design is also simple enough to stand up to colorful or variegated yarns. I think it looks especially striking with a light-colored yarn, but choose whatever color you like best!

Finished size is easily modified, but the sample shown is 98” long and 12” wide. Instructions are given for 2 different cast on numbers for an extra long (98”) wrap and a shorter (70”) inch wrap.

This pattern includes charts to supplement the row by row written instructions, and is simple enough to be accomplished by an advanced beginner.

Skills involved:

• knitting
• purling
• yarn over
• purl 2 together
• slipping stitches

Photos are by the creative & brilliant Ariana Miklowitz