Berroco Levante Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Levante Knit Shawl

What is Being Made

The Levante is an intermediate-level knit shawl designed by Brenda York. This elegant wrap measures approximately 58 inches long by 17 inches wide at its widest point after blocking, making it a generous accessory suitable for draping across the shoulders or wearing as a wrap. The shawl is worked flat on straight needles in a single piece, progressing from a small cast-on edge that expands through strategic increases and shaping techniques.

Techniques Used

The Levante employs several advanced knitting techniques to create its distinctive shape and visual interest. Short rows are used to shape the corners of the shawl before and after the even section, allowing the knitter to create three-dimensional shaping without casting off and restarting. The pattern is divided into three distinct sections: an increase section (Rows 1–52 of Chart A), a repeat section (Rows 53–72 of Chart B, repeated multiple times), and a final shaping section (Rows 73–124 of Chart C). This structured approach allows for controlled expansion and symmetrical design development.

Lace knitting is the primary design element, incorporating yarn overs and decreases to create openwork patterns. The pattern stitch itself is worked over 6 stitches and alternates between right-side and wrong-side rows, with yarn overs (yo) and purl two together (p2tog) decreases creating the characteristic lace aesthetic. This combination of increases and decreases maintains stitch count while producing the delicate, open texture typical of lace shawls.

Stitches Used

The Levante utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined in a lace pattern:

• Knit (k) – the basic stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• Purl (p) – used selectively in the pattern stitch and chart sections
• Yarn over (yo) – creates the openwork holes characteristic of lace knitting
• Purl two together (p2tog) – a left-leaning decrease used to balance yarn overs and maintain stitch count
• Make one (M1) – an increase stitch used in the increase row to expand the shawl dimensions
• Stockinette stitch (St st) – the base fabric used for gauge measurement

The pattern stitch repeats a 2-row sequence over 6 stitches: Row 1 (right side) consists of knit 4, yarn over, purl two together; Row 2 (wrong side) consists of knit 2, yarn over, purl two together, knit 2. Stitch markers are used to delineate pattern sections and track increases.

Materials and Tools

The Levante is designed to be worked with Berroco Remix Light yarn, a 100-gram ball weight. The pattern calls for 2 balls in colorway #6903 Almond, providing sufficient yardage for the complete shawl. Straight needles in size 5 (3.75 mm) are recommended, though the pattern notes that needles should be sized to obtain the specified gauge. Two stitch markers are required to track pattern sections and increases throughout construction.

The recommended gauge is 24 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. The pattern emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning to ensure accurate finished measurements and proper drape of the lace fabric.