Berroco Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Molucca Knit Shawl

What is Being Made

The Molucca is a sophisticated knit shawl designed by Alison Green, measuring approximately 58 inches long by 14½ inches wide at its widest point. This intermediate-level project creates an elegant wrap suitable for layering or draping, combining decorative lace elements with refined shaping for a polished finished garment.

Construction Method

The shawl is worked side to side in one continuous piece, allowing for seamless construction and intuitive shaping as you progress. This approach enables the knitter to adjust length easily and creates a unified fabric without seams.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Molucca incorporates several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance:

• Yarn overs (yo) — Used throughout the Border Pattern to create decorative eyelet holes and increase stitches for lace effects
• Knit two together (k2tog) — A right-leaning decrease used in the lace sections and border pattern
• Slip, slip, knit (SSK) — A left-leaning decrease that balances the k2tog decreases and creates symmetrical lace motifs
• Purl stitches — Used on wrong-side rows to create texture variation
• Garter stitch — Provides a stable, textured ground fabric
• Stitch markers — Essential for tracking pattern repeats and construction sections

Border Pattern Details

The shawl features a 12-row repeating Border Pattern that creates the lace edging and shaping. This pattern uses a combination of yarn overs and decreases to form openwork designs while simultaneously controlling stitch count. The pattern is provided in both written instructions and chart format, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method of following directions.

Materials Required

Yarn: Berroco Seaspun, a specialty yarn requiring 4 balls (200 grams total) in colorway #10372 Inlet. Berroco Seaspun is a premium yarn choice that provides excellent drape and stitch definition for lace work.

Needles and Notions: US size 8 (5 mm) knitting needles or the size needed to achieve proper gauge, plus 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern sections.

Gauge and Blocking

Achieving correct gauge is essential for this project. The Border Pattern should measure 16 stitches over 3½ inches, while Garter Stitch should measure 20 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches. Gauge is measured after blocking, making the blocking step crucial for achieving the finished measurements and proper drape of the completed shawl.

Skill Level

Rated as Intermediate, this pattern requires familiarity with basic knitting techniques, comfort reading lace patterns, and understanding of increases and decreases. The side-to-side construction and repeating pattern make it accessible to knitters ready to advance beyond beginner projects.