Berroco Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Freden Knitted Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Freden is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Åsa Buchta. This elegant wrap measures approximately 61½ inches (156 cm) long and 20 inches (51 cm) at its widest point, making it a generous accessory suitable for layering or draping. The shawl features a sophisticated construction that combines garter stitch borders with a decorative lace panel worked between stitch markers.

Construction Method

The Freden shawl is worked side to side, meaning you cast on at one short edge and knit lengthwise across the width of the piece. This construction method allows for strategic increases worked into the garter stitch sections, which gradually make the shawl wider as you progress. The lace pattern is contained between stitch markers and is worked using either a chart or written instructions, giving knitters flexibility in how they prefer to follow the pattern. The side-to-side approach creates a natural shaping that results in the finished dimensions without requiring complex decreases.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Freden incorporates several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques:

• Garter stitch forms the structural borders and outer edges of the shawl, created by knitting every row for a textured, reversible fabric
• Lace stitches create the decorative panel, including yarn overs (yo) for creating openwork holes and decreases such as k2tog (knit two together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit) to balance the yarn overs
• Increases including kfb (knit front and back) are strategically placed in the garter stitch sections to gradually widen the shawl
• Slip, slip, knit together (SSK) and knit two together (k2tog) decreases create the directional lines within the lace pattern
• Stitch markers are used to clearly delineate where the lace panel begins and ends, helping you maintain pattern accuracy
• Blocking is essential after completion, as gauge measurements are taken after blocking to ensure accurate finished dimensions

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Freden is knitted using Berroco Tillie, a hand-dyed yarn. The pattern calls for 3 hanks of 100 grams each in colorway #10907 Mian, providing ample yardage for the finished shawl. Because Berroco Tillie is hand-dyed, the pattern includes a helpful construction note recommending that you alternate skeins every two rows to avoid visible patterning or color pooling in the finished piece.

Knitting needles in size 6 (4 mm) are used, or a size that allows you to obtain the specified gauge. The pattern also requires stitch markers to separate the garter stitch sections from the lace panel.

Gauge and Finishing Details

Proper gauge is critical for this project. The pattern specifies 24 stitches and 36 rows equals 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch, while the 21-stitch lace panel measures 3¾ inches (9.5 cm) wide. Gauge is measured after blocking, so taking time to knit and block a gauge swatch before beginning ensures your finished shawl will meet the intended measurements. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 27 stitches and includes a set-up row worked on the wrong side to establish the stitch marker positions before beginning the main pattern rows.