Berroco Maira Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Maira Knit Shawl

What is Being Made

The Berroco Maira is a triangular lace shawl designed by Amy Christoffers, available in three finished sizes. The shawl measures approximately 44 (55, 68) inches across the top and 20 (26, 34) inches down the center after blocking. This intermediate-level knitting project creates an elegant wrap suitable for various occasions and seasons.

Techniques Used

The Maira shawl employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished design:

• Bottom-up construction: The shawl is worked from the cast-on edge upward, allowing knitters to adjust the final size as desired
• Seamless, worked flat: The entire project is completed on a single piece without seaming, worked back and forth on circular needles
• Lace patterning: Decorative lace elements are incorporated throughout using yarn overs and decreases to create openwork sections
• Increases and decreases: Strategic placement of yarn overs (yo) and knit two together (k2tog) stitches shape the triangular silhouette

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined to create texture and lace effects:

• Garter stitch: Knit every row to create a textured, reversible fabric that serves as the base structure
• Yarn overs (yo): Create decorative holes and lace elements while simultaneously increasing stitch count
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used for shaping and creating lace patterns
• Central double decrease (CDD): A centered decrease technique used in the final point section for precise shaping
• Knit three together (k3tog): A more pronounced decrease used strategically in the pattern

Materials and Tools

The Maira shawl requires minimal materials, making it an accessible project:

• Yarn: Berroco Estiva in colorway #2618 Forest. Yardage requirements are 1 cake (150 grams) for the small size, or 2 cakes for the medium and large sizes. For medium and large sizes, the pattern recommends alternating between the two skeins every 2 rows to create a long color gradient throughout the shawl
• Needles: One 24-inch circular needle in size 11 (8.00 mm), or the size needed to obtain proper gauge
• Notions: One stitch marker to track the center point of the shawl

Gauge and Finishing

Proper gauge is essential for accurate finished measurements. The pattern specifies 10 stitches and 18 rows equal 4 inches in garter stitch after blocking. After completing all pattern repeats and the final point section, the shawl is finished by weaving in ends and blocking to the specified finished measurements, which sets the lace and ensures proper drape.