Berroco Rhodocrosite Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Rhodocrosite Shawl by Norah Gaughan

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Rhodocrosite is a knitted stole designed by renowned knitwear designer Norah Gaughan. This elegant wrap measures approximately 18 inches wide by 60 inches long, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping. The stole is worked as a single flat piece from cast-on to bind-off, creating a rectangular shawl that combines lace elements with stockinette sections for visual interest and texture variation.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques that make it accessible to knitters with easy-level skills:

• Seamless construction: The entire stole is worked flat on straight needles without requiring seaming, simplifying the finishing process
• Lace knitting: Decorative lace sections are incorporated throughout the design using yarn-overs and decreases to create openwork patterns
• Stitch markers: Markers are placed strategically to help organize pattern repeats and maintain stitch accuracy across the width
• Flat working method: The piece is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round, allowing for easy pattern reading and adjustment

Stitches Used

The Berroco Rhodocrosite utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined in structured pattern sections:

• Stockinette stitch: Created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, forming the smooth, classic fabric base
• Yarn-overs (yo): These create the decorative holes and lace elements throughout the design
• Purl two together (p2tog): A left-leaning decrease that pairs with yarn-overs to form the lace pattern repeats
• Garter stitch: Knit rows worked consecutively create a textured, reversible fabric used in the edging and specific pattern sections

The pattern is organized into two distinct columns that repeat across the width. Column 1 spans 8 stitches and features a consistent yarn-over and purl two together repeat throughout all rows. Column 2 spans 20 stitches and alternates between stockinette sections and decorative lace bands, creating a rhythmic visual pattern. The edging begins with garter stitch, transitions into lace rows using yarn-over and purl two together combinations, and returns to garter stitch for a finished edge.

Materials

The Berroco Rhodocrosite pattern calls for specific materials to achieve the intended drape and finished dimensions:

• Yarn: Berroco Folio in color 4542, requiring 4 hanks of 50 grams each (200 grams total)
• Needles: Straight knitting needles in size 6 (4 mm), or the size needed to obtain proper gauge
• Notions: Stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats

The gauge is established at 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, which is essential for achieving the finished measurements of 18 inches wide by 60 inches long. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure their needle size produces the correct gauge with their chosen yarn, as individual tension variations can affect the final dimensions of the completed stole.