Alder Wrap Knitting Pattern

Alder Wrap in Rowan Kidsilk Haze

What is Being Made

The Alder Wrap is a luxurious knitted shawl designed as a versatile wrap garment. This intermediate-level knitting project produces a finished wrap measuring 249 cm (98 inches) long and 41 cm (16 inches) wide, making it an elegant accessory suitable for layering and draping.

Craft and Construction Method

This is a knitting project worked flat on straight needles. The wrap features a structured construction that begins with a cast-on of 73 stitches and progresses through multiple rows of patterned colorwork. The design incorporates strategic yarn changes throughout the piece, creating a sophisticated striped or color-blocked effect that showcases the delicate qualities of the yarn.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Alder Wrap employs several fundamental knitting techniques:

• Moss Stitch – The foundation pattern used for the wrap, created by alternating knit and purl stitches in a checkerboard formation. The pattern is established over the first 6 rows, with rows 1 and 2 forming the repeating 2-row moss stitch pattern (K1, P1 repeated to end).
• Make One Increases (M1) – Strategic increases worked into the moss stitch pattern to shape the wrap and create shaping at the borders.
• Slip Stitches – Used to transfer stitches onto holders for the side borders, allowing for construction of distinct border sections.
• Stockinette Stitch – The tension measurement indicates stockinette stitch (st st) is used as the primary fabric structure throughout much of the wrap.
• Multi-Yarn Colorwork – The pattern incorporates systematic yarn changes across 120 rows, alternating between multiple yarn colors to create visual interest and depth.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Alder Wrap is crafted using Rowan Kidsilk Haze, a premium yarn known for its luxurious feel and subtle sheen. The wrap requires twelve distinct yarn colors from the Rowan Kidsilk Haze range, each in 25-gram quantities, except for Blackcurrant (641) which requires 2 x 25 g. The color palette includes:

• A – Hurricane (632)
• B – Smoke (605)
• C – Dewberry (600)
• D – Campsis (727)
• E – Burnt Orange (729)
• F – Liqueur (595)
• G – Anthracite (639)
• H – Verdant (725)
• I – Olive (721)
• J – Plum (718)
• K – Blackcurrant (641)
• L – Trance (582)

The project is worked on 5mm (US 8) straight needles (one pair required). The recommended tension is 18 stitches and 23 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using 5mm needles, ensuring the wrap achieves the correct finished dimensions and drape.

Skill Level and Complexity

Designated as an intermediate-level project, the Alder Wrap requires knitters to be comfortable with basic stitches, increases, and the ability to manage multiple yarn colors and follow detailed row-by-row instructions. The systematic color changes and extended row count (120+ rows) demand attention to pattern detail and consistency in tension maintenance.