Berroco Iris Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Iris Knit Shawl

What is Being Made

The Berroco Iris is a triangular knit shawl designed by Amy Christoffers. This intermediate-level project creates a generous wrap measuring approximately 90 inches wide across the top edge and 24 inches deep from center top to bottom point. The shawl is an ideal accessory for layering and draping, suitable for various occasions and seasons depending on yarn fiber content and color selection.

Construction Method and Techniques

The Iris shawl is constructed using a bottom-up approach, meaning knitting begins at the point and expands outward toward the top edge. The design is seamless and worked flat on circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming or joining pieces together. The shawl features lace patterning throughout, created by strategic yarn overs and decreases that form openwork designs characteristic of elegant shawlettes and wraps.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The pattern employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with lace-making techniques. Key stitches include:

• Knit and purl stitches as the foundation, worked in garter stitch (alternating knit rows on right side and wrong side) for the base gauge of 15 stitches and 36 rows per 4 inches
• Yarn overs to create the lace holes and openwork effects
• K2tog (knit two together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit) decreases on right-side rows to shape the shawl and create lace patterning
• P2tog (purl two together) and SSP (slip, slip, purl) decreases on wrong-side rows for corresponding shaping
• Sewn bind-off technique for a professional, flexible edge finish

Pattern Structure

The shawl is worked in two distinct chart sections. The Set-Up Chart is worked once across 18 rows, establishing the foundation and increasing from the initial 6 cast-on stitches to 37 stitches. The Pattern Chart, containing a 4-row repeat, is then worked 38 times consecutively, gradually expanding the stitch count to a final 341 stitches at the top edge. This systematic repetition creates the geometric lace pattern that defines the shawl's visual design.

Materials and Tools

The pattern calls for Berroco Chai yarn in colorway #8626 Delft, requiring 5 balls of the 50-gram weight. A 32-inch circular needle in size 7 (4.5 mm) accommodates the expanding stitch count as the shawl grows. A tapestry needle is essential for weaving in yarn ends and executing the sewn bind-off technique. Knitters should verify their gauge before beginning to ensure accurate finished measurements.

Finishing

After completing all pattern repeats and binding off, the shawl requires minimal finishing. All yarn ends are woven in securely using the tapestry needle. The shawl can be blocked as desired to enhance the lace pattern definition and achieve the intended dimensions and drape.