Berroco Paola Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Paola Knit Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Paola is an intermediate-level knit shawl designed by Amy Christoffers. This elegant wrap measures approximately 15 inches wide by 64 inches long (not including fringe), making it a generous accessory suitable for layering or draping. The finished shawl features a sophisticated two-color striped design worked in a charted pattern, creating visual interest through strategic color placement.

Techniques Used

This shawl is constructed using seamless, flat knitting techniques. The design employs a striped pattern where only one color is used per row, with the first and last stitch of each row indicating which color is active. The pattern is worked from a chart that repeats over 32 rows, allowing crafters to achieve consistent color blocking and pattern repetition throughout the entire length of the piece. The shawl is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, simplifying the construction process while maintaining structural integrity.

Stitches and Construction Details

The Paola shawl uses fundamental knitting stitches worked according to the charted pattern provided. Crafters begin by casting on 79 stitches and knitting one row with the first color before joining the second color and beginning the chart. The pattern repeats rows 1 through 32 continuously until the piece reaches the desired length of approximately 64 inches, ending on row 16 of the chart repeat. This strategic endpoint ensures proper color sequencing at the conclusion. The shawl is finished with a bind-off worked on the wrong side using the knitwise method.

Finishing and Embellishment

The Paola shawl features decorative fringe added to both the cast-on and bound-off edges. The fringe is created using a crochet hook to attach 15-inch strands of yarn. The pattern specifies 6 fringes in the second color across each first-color block and 5 fringes in the first color across each second-color block on both edges, creating balanced visual interest and movement.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Berroco Dulce, 3 balls each in #2017 Rose Quartz and #2021 Jade (6 balls total, 50 grams per ball)
• Knitting Needles: Size 8 / 5 mm or size needed to obtain gauge
• Crochet Hook: Size H / 5 mm for fringe attachment

Gauge and Blocking

The pattern specifies a gauge of 21 stitches and 33 rows over 4 inches in the charted pattern after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements, and the pattern instructions emphasize checking gauge before beginning to ensure accurate dimensions and proper drape of the completed shawl.