Berroco Fir Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Fir Knitted Shawl

What is Being Made

The Berroco Fir is a seamless, top-down knitted shawl designed by Emily Nora O'Neil. This triangular wrap measures approximately 84 inches across the top edge and 25 inches long from the center top to the point, making it a generous accessory suitable for layering or draping. The pattern is rated at an Easy skill level, making it accessible to knitters with basic experience.

Techniques Used

This shawl is constructed using several fundamental knitting techniques that work together to create its distinctive shape:

• Top-down construction: The shawl begins at the top and is worked downward toward the point, allowing knitters to try on the piece and adjust the final length as desired.
• Seamless knitting: The entire shawl is worked in one continuous piece without seaming, creating a smooth, unified fabric.
• Worked flat: Rather than working in the round, this shawl is worked back and forth on a circular needle, which accommodates the increasing number of stitches as the triangular shape expands.
• Starting tab method: The pattern begins with a small cast-on tab that is picked up along its edges, a technique that creates a neat, finished starting point for the shawl.
• Stitch increases: Strategic increases (knit in front and back of stitches) are placed at marked intervals to create the gradual widening necessary for the triangular silhouette.

Stitches Used

Garter stitch is the primary stitch throughout the Berroco Fir shawl. Garter stitch is created by knitting every row, whether working flat or in the round, and produces a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges. This stitch is ideal for shawls because it lies flat, drapes beautifully, and showcases yarn texture effectively. The pattern specifies a gauge of 8 stitches and 12 rows equaling 4 inches in garter stitch, which is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions.

Materials and Yarn

The Berroco Fir pattern calls for 5 hanks of Berroco Gusto yarn in colorway #1930 Agate. Each hank weighs 100 grams, providing ample yardage for the full-sized shawl. Berroco Gusto is a supercharged yarn designed to work up quickly, making this an efficient project for creating a substantial finished piece.

Needles and Tools

Knitters will need a 29-inch circular knitting needle in size 15 (10.00 mm) or the size required to obtain the specified gauge. Circular needles are used for this flat-worked project because they accommodate the increasing stitch count as the shawl expands. Additionally, 3 stitch markers are required to track the increase points throughout the pattern, ensuring even shaping and proper construction of the triangular form.

Pattern Notes

Berroco emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning the project to ensure the finished shawl meets the specified dimensions. The pattern is from Berroco Booklet #365 and represents the company's commitment to providing well-tested, reliable knitting instructions. Knitters are encouraged to verify they have downloaded the most recent version of the pattern PDF to ensure they have any corrections or updates.