Berroco Carolee Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Carolee Knit Shawl

What is Being Made

The Berroco Carolee is a triangular knit shawl designed by Alison Green from the Ginkgo Fall 2017 Collection. This intermediate-level shawl measures approximately 58 inches across the top and 26 inches down the center after blocking, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or wearing as a statement accessory.

Techniques Used

This shawl is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create both structural interest and visual appeal:

• Bottom-up construction: The shawl is worked from the bottom point upward, beginning with a small cast-on and gradually expanding to the full width
• Seamless, worked flat: The entire piece is created on a single needle without seaming, maintaining clean lines throughout
• Lace patterning: Decorative lace elements are incorporated throughout the design using yarn overs and decreases to create openwork sections that add elegance and visual texture

Stitches and Stitch Details

The Carolee pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches combined to create its lace design:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches: Form the foundational fabric and create texture contrast
• Yarn overs (yo and yo2): Create the openwork lace elements; yo2 (yarn over twice) produces larger eyelets and decorative holes
• Decreases (SSK and k2tog): Balance the yarn overs and shape the shawl; SSK (slip, slip, knit) and k2tog (knit two together) are used strategically throughout
• Stitch markers: Guide the knitter through pattern repeats and help maintain shaping

Materials

The Carolee pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended drape and finished dimensions:

• Yarn: Berroco Ginkgo in the colorway #9607 Moonstone; three 50-gram balls are required for the complete shawl
• Needles: One 24-inch circular needle in size 9 (5.50 mm), or the size needed to obtain proper gauge
• Notions: One stitch marker for tracking pattern placement
• Gauge: 14½ stitches and 18 rows equal 4 inches in pattern after blocking; checking gauge before beginning is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements

The pattern emphasizes the importance of blocking to achieve the specified dimensions and to fully develop the lace pattern's drape and definition.