Berroco Airen Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Airen Lace Shawl

What is Being Made

The Berroco Airen is an elegant triangular lace shawl designed by Donna Yacino. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a finished wrap measuring approximately 50 inches across the top and 15 inches down the center, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping.

Construction Method

The Airen shawl is worked flat from the top down, beginning with just 10 cast-on stitches and increasing outward to create the triangular silhouette. This top-down construction method allows knitters to try on the piece as it grows and customize the final size by continuing to knit additional rows beyond the pattern specifications if desired.

Lace Techniques and Stitches

This shawl showcases classic lace knitting techniques that create an open, airy fabric perfect for warm-weather wear. Key techniques and stitches used throughout the Airen include:

• Make One (M1) increases: The pattern uses a specialized M1 method that creates intentional holes in the fabric, producing a decorative eyelet effect that appears smaller than a yarn over. These M1 increases are strategically placed to add new lines of openwork as the shawl expands outward.
• Decreases (SSK and k2tog): Slip-slip-knit (SSK) and knit two together (k2tog) decreases are paired with yarn overs and increases to shape the lace pattern and maintain stitch count in specific sections.
• Stockinette stitch (St st): Smooth stockinette creates the base fabric between lace elements.
• Garter stitch edges: Knit stitches at the edges provide clean, stable selvages.
• Stitch markers: The pattern uses stitch markers to denote key sections, helping knitters maintain pattern repeats and symmetry as the shawl increases.

Materials Required

The Airen pattern calls for Berroco Summer Silk yarn in the colorway #4034 Shadow. Knitters will need 4 balls of this yarn, with each ball weighing 50 grams. A 36-inch circular needle in size 9 (5.50 mm) or the size needed to obtain proper gauge is required, along with 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern sections.

Gauge and Sizing

The recommended gauge for this project is 20 stitches and 25 rows over 4 inches when working in stockinette stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished shawl matches the intended dimensions of 50 inches across the top and 15 inches at the center depth.