Berroco Laelia Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Laelia Knit Shawl

What is Being Made

The Berroco Laelia is an intermediate-level knit shawl designed by Alison Green. This elegant wrap features finished measurements of approximately 52 inches across the top edge and 18 inches deep, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping. The shawl is worked as a seamless, top-down construction, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it develops and customize the final depth if desired.

Construction Techniques

The Laelia employs several key knitting techniques that define its structure and visual appeal:

• Top-Down Construction: The shawl begins at the top edge and expands downward, a method that provides flexibility in sizing and allows for easy try-ons during the knitting process.
• Seamless Knitting: The entire piece is worked without seams, creating a unified, polished garment.
• Worked Flat: Despite being seamless, the shawl is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, which is a common approach for top-down shawl patterns.
• Lace Patterning: Lace techniques are incorporated throughout the design, adding delicate openwork details that enhance the shawl's drape and visual interest.
• Garter Tab Cast-On: The pattern begins with a garter tab cast-on method, which creates a neat, finished edge at the top of the shawl.
• Stockinette Stripe Pattern: A repeating stripe pattern alternates 2 rows of one yarn color with 2 rows of another, creating visual depth and texture variation.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Laelia utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined into structured patterns:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch used throughout the shawl, creating a smooth, classic fabric base.
• Garter Stitch: Used for the initial cast-on tab, providing a textured, reversible edge.
• Stockinette Stripe Pattern: A four-row repeat worked in stockinette stitch, alternating 2 rows of yarn B followed by 2 rows of yarn A. This pattern is repeated throughout the body of the shawl to create the color-blocking effect.

Yarn and Materials

The Berroco Laelia requires two complementary Berroco yarns in coordinating orchid colorways:

• Berroco Fuji: 3 hanks in color #9270 Orchid (Yarn A), with each hank weighing 50 grams.
• Berroco Captiva: 4 hanks in color #5558 Orchid (Yarn B), with each hank weighing 50 grams.

A 32-inch circular knitting needle in size 9 (5.50 mm) is required to work the shawl. The pattern recommends checking gauge before beginning: 17 stitches and 23 rows should measure 4 inches in stockinette stitch when alternating 2 rows of yarn A and 2 rows of yarn B. Obtaining proper gauge is essential to achieving the intended finished measurements and drape of the completed shawl.

Skill Level and Pattern Notes

This pattern is rated at an Intermediate skill level, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The pattern includes a helpful note about yarn management: when not actively working with one of the two yarns, it may be carried loosely up the side of the work. To prevent long loops from forming, knitters should twist the yarns together at the beginning of each right-side row. This attention to detail ensures a neat, professional-looking finished edge.