Berroco Nella Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Nella Shawl

What is Being Made

The Berroco Nella is a triangular shawl designed by Alison Green, measuring approximately 26 inches wide at its widest point and 64 inches long after blocking. This is an intermediate-level knitting project that creates an elegant wrap suitable for layering or draping.

Construction Method

This shawl is worked bottom-up and seamless, meaning it is knitted as one continuous piece without requiring seaming. The shawl is worked flat on straight needles, making it accessible for knitters who prefer traditional needle techniques over circular needles.

Techniques Used

The Nella incorporates several advanced knitting techniques to create visual interest and structure:

• Cable work featuring 2/2RC (right cable) and 2/2LC (left cable) crossings that add texture and dimension to the design
• Lace elements created through yarn overs and centered double decreases (CDD), producing delicate openwork sections
• Decorative loop edging created using a special "Make Loop" technique that adds a unique textured border detail
• Strategic increases worked throughout the piece to shape the triangular silhouette

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern employs a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Garter stitch as the primary fabric base, providing a stable, reversible texture
• Purl stitches used to frame and highlight the cable and lace sections
• Yarn overs paired with decreases to create the lace pattern repeats
• Knit through the back loop (kfb) for strategic shaping increases
• Cable stitches worked with a cable needle to create twisted stitch columns

Materials Required

This project requires minimal materials, making it an efficient use of yarn and supplies:

• Yarn: 5 hanks of Berroco Quechua in colorway #1346 Sandalwood (250 grams total; 50 grams per hank)
• Needles: Straight needles in size 6 (4.00 mm), or the size needed to achieve proper gauge
• Notions: One cable needle for working cable crossings and 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern sections

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch after blocking. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished shawl achieves the intended dimensions. Blocking is recommended to open up the lace sections and set the final measurements.