Berroco Arcade Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Arcade Shawl and Wrap

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Arcade is a knitted shawl and wrap designed by Amy Christoffers. This intermediate-level project creates a finished piece measuring approximately 17 inches wide by 66 inches long after blocking, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a lightweight wrap.

Craft and Technique Overview

This is a knitting project that combines fundamental knitting techniques with decorative stitch work. The design features strategic increases and decreases that create an open, lacy pattern while maintaining structural integrity. The scarf begins with a garter stitch border, transitions into the main patterned section, and concludes with a garter stitch finish before binding off.

Stitches Used

The Arcade pattern employs several key stitching techniques:

• Garter Stitch: Used for the border sections at the beginning (4 rows) and end (3 rows) of the scarf, creating a stable, textured edge
• Make One Left (M1L) and Make One Right (M1R): Increase stitches that are worked throughout the pattern stitch to create the openwork design
• Centered Double Decrease (CDD): A decorative decrease technique that slips 2 stitches together as if to knit 2 together, knits 1 stitch, then passes the 2 slipped stitches over the knit stitch, creating a centered vertical line
• Knit Stitch: The primary stitch used across all rows

Pattern Structure

The pattern stitch repeats over 2 rows. Row 1 (right side) contains the decorative increases and decreases that form the lacy motif, while Row 2 (wrong side) is worked entirely in knit stitches. This 2-row repeat continues until the scarf reaches approximately 66 inches in length. The pattern is worked flat in rows rather than in the round, making it accessible for knitters comfortable with straightforward back-and-forth knitting.

Materials and Gauge

The Arcade pattern calls for Berroco Medina yarn in colorway #4715 Rabat, requiring 4 balls of 100 grams each. The project uses straight needles in size 6 (4.00 mm) or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge. The recommended gauge is 26 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in the pattern stitch after blocking. Checking gauge before beginning is emphasized as essential to achieving the correct finished dimensions.

Finishing

After completing all knitting, the finishing process is straightforward: weave in all ends and block the finished piece as desired. Blocking is particularly important for this project, as the gauge measurement and finished dimensions are specified after blocking, ensuring the lacy pattern opens up properly and the scarf reaches its intended 17-by-66-inch measurements.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to work with increase and decrease techniques that create decorative effects. The centered double decrease and make one increases are the primary skills required beyond fundamental knitting knowledge.