Berroco Rest & Reset Kabat Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Rest & Reset Kabat Knit Shawl

What is Being Made

The Kabat is an intermediate-level knit shawl designed by Alison Green. This is a substantial wrap-style shawl measuring approximately 92 inches wide by 41 inches long down the center after blocking, making it a generous accessory suitable for layering or draping across the shoulders.

Yarn and Materials

This shawl is crafted using Berroco Splash yarn, a specialty yarn featuring natural color variations and pops of color throughout. The pattern calls for 5 hanks of Berroco Splash in colorway #2419 Anacostia, with each hank weighing 50 grams. The yarn is worked on 32-inch circular needles in sizes 6 (4 mm) and 8 (5 mm), with size 8 needles used for the main body and size 6 needles for the edging. Waste yarn is required for the provisional cast-on method.

Gauge and Blocking

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in Pattern Stitch using the larger (size 8) needle. Gauge is measured after blocking, which is an essential step for achieving accurate finished measurements. Knitters are advised to check gauge carefully before beginning to ensure proper sizing and fabric characteristics.

Stitches and Techniques Used

The Kabat employs several fundamental knitting stitches and techniques:

• Stockinette Stitch (St st) — the primary stitch used throughout most of the shawl, created by knitting on right-side rows and purling on wrong-side rows
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch — used strategically over the colored sections of yarn to create visual contrast and texture variation
• Slip Stitch (Sl 1 wyif) — worked with yarn in front for a neat edge finish
• Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK) — a left-leaning decrease used in the edging
• Cable Cast-On — used for the edging to create a sturdy, finished edge
• Provisional Cast-On — worked with waste yarn to allow for later grafting or picking up of stitches

Pattern Stitch Details

The pattern stitch is worked over two rows and creates an interactive design with the Berroco Splash yarn's natural color variations. On right-side rows, the knitter works in Stockinette Stitch, but when encountering a pop of color in the yarn, the work switches to Reverse Stockinette Stitch over that colored section, then returns to regular Stockinette when the color ends. The same principle applies on wrong-side rows, with the stitches reversed (purling becomes knitting and vice versa). This technique creates a dynamic, textured surface that highlights the yarn's color variations.

Edging Construction

The shawl features a finished edging worked using the cable cast-on method. After switching to the smaller needle, 4 stitches are cast on and worked in a two-row repeat: Row 1 (right side) is worked as K3, SSK, turn; Row 2 (wrong side) is worked as Sl 1 wyif, k3. This repeat continues until 4 stitches remain, which are then bound off. This creates a neat, structured edge that frames the main shawl body.

Construction Method

The shawl begins with a provisional cast-on of 8 stitches using waste yarn and the larger needle. The project yarn is then introduced, and the main body is worked according to the pattern stitch instructions. Upon completion, the provisional cast-on is carefully unpicked, placing 4 stitches on each end of the needle to allow for finishing or grafting. This construction method provides flexibility in how the shawl edges are completed and ensures a polished, professional finish.