Berroco Abebi Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Abebi Knit Shawl

What is Being Made

The Berroco Abebi is a elegant knit shawl designed by Brenda York. This lightweight wrap measures approximately 17 inches wide by 74 inches long after blocking, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping. The shawl is worked in a single size and features an easy skill level, making it accessible to knitters of various experience levels.

Techniques Used

The Abebi shawl is constructed using several fundamental knitting techniques that create its distinctive appearance and drape:

• Bottom-up construction: The shawl is worked from the cast-on edge upward, allowing knitters to try on and adjust length as needed
• Seamless, flat knitting: The piece is worked flat on straight or circular needles without seaming, creating a continuous fabric
• Lace patterning: Decorative lace elements are incorporated throughout the design using yarn overs and decreases to create openwork sections

Stitches Used

The Abebi pattern employs a repeating four-row sequence that combines basic and decorative stitches:

• Purl stitches (P2tog): Purl two together decreases create structured shaping within the lace pattern
• Yarn overs (yo): These create the openwork lace holes that characterize the shawl's design
• Knit stitches: Standard knit stitches form the foundation rows between patterned sections
• Purl rows: Reverse stockinette rows balance the knit rows and contribute to the overall fabric structure

The pattern repeat is worked across all stitches in a four-row cycle: the patterned row alternates with knit, purl, and purl rows to create the finished effect.

Materials

The Abebi shawl requires Berroco Quechua yarn, a worsted-weight option that provides excellent drape for shawl construction. Six hanks of Berroco Quechua in colorway #1321 Fennel are needed to complete the project. Knitters will also need straight or circular needles in size 7 (4.50 mm) or the size required to achieve the specified gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in the pattern stitch after blocking. The pattern recommends checking gauge before beginning to ensure proper finished dimensions.