Berroco Beatriz Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Beatriz Knitted Shawl

What is Being Made

Beatriz is a sophisticated knitted shawl designed by Alison Green, suitable for experienced knitters. This elegant wrap measures approximately 50 inches across the top and 18 inches down the center, making it a generous triangular shawl perfect for layering or draping. The design offers flexibility—knitters can continue working additional repeats to create a larger shawl if desired, though additional yarn beyond the pattern requirements may be needed.

Knitting Techniques

This shawl is constructed using several advanced knitting techniques that create visual interest and elegant stitch definition:

• Bottom-up construction: The shawl is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to adjust the final size by continuing pattern repeats as desired
• Seamless, flat knitting: The entire piece is worked flat on straight needles without seaming, creating a cohesive, unified fabric
• Brioche knitting: The pattern features brioche knit stitches (abbreviated as Brk), which involve knitting a stitch together with its accompanying yarn over from the previous row, creating a distinctive textured appearance
• Yarn-over increases: Strategic yarn overs (yo) are incorporated throughout, both as decorative elements and functional shaping increases
• Slip-stitch techniques: Slip stitches are used in combination with yarn overs (Sl1yo) to create refined edges and stitch definition
• Decreases: Right-slanting decreases (brRdec) are worked to shape the shawl and balance increases

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

Beatriz employs specialized brioche-based stitches that require careful attention and intermediate-to-advanced skill:

• Brioche Knit (Brk): The foundation stitch, created by knitting a previously slipped stitch together with its yarn over
• Sl1yo (Slip 1 with yarn over): A combination move where a yarn over is worked followed by slipping the next stitch purlwise; this counts as a single stitch unit
• Brkyobrk (2-stitch increase): An increase technique that adds two stitches by working brioche knits into the same stitch with an intervening yarn over
• Br4st inc (4-stitch increase): A more dramatic increase adding four stitches through multiple brioche knits and yarn overs worked into a single stitch
• brRdec (2-stitch right-slanting decrease): A decrease that slants to the right, created by slipping a stitch with its yarn over, knitting the next stitch, and passing the slipped stitch over

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for Berroco Arno, a premium yarn from Berroco, Inc. Three 50-gram balls of Berroco Arno in colorway #5033 Twilight Blue are required to complete the shawl as written. Berroco Arno is recommended for achieving the intended drape and stitch definition in this design.

Needles and Notions: US size 7 (4.50 mm) knitting needles are used, or the size needed to obtain the specified gauge. A tapestry needle is required for weaving in yarn ends and finishing.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern. The specified gauge is 11 inches wide by 6 inches long when Row 48 is completed. Knitters are strongly advised to knit a gauge swatch and measure carefully before beginning the full project to ensure accurate finished measurements and proper shawl proportions. The skill level for this pattern is Experienced, reflecting the complexity of brioche knitting techniques and the precision required.

Design Notes

This pattern is from Berroco Book #408 and was updated as of 2019. The design's modular nature allows customization—knitters seeking a larger shawl can continue working pattern repeats beyond what is specified in the base instructions, though this will require additional yardage of Berroco Arno yarn. The brioche knit techniques create a luxurious, textured fabric with excellent elasticity and visual depth, making Beatriz an impressive project for knitters ready to master advanced stitch work.