Berroco Rochelle Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Rochelle Knit Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Rochelle is a lace knit shawl designed by Alison Green. This is a seamless, worked-flat triangular wrap measuring approximately 14 inches wide by 60 inches long, making it an ideal accessory for layering or draping across the shoulders. The finished dimensions provide generous coverage while maintaining a lightweight, elegant silhouette suitable for various occasions and seasons.

Skill Level and Construction

This pattern is rated as Intermediate difficulty, making it appropriate for knitters with some experience who are comfortable reading charts and managing stitch increases. The shawl is constructed in a seamless, flat-worked design that begins with a small cast-on and expands progressively through strategic increases, eliminating the need for seaming or assembly.

Techniques Used

The Rochelle employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its sophisticated appearance:

• Lace knitting: The primary design element, created through charted lace patterns that produce openwork and decorative motifs throughout the shawl
• Chart reading: The pattern uses three separate charts (Chart 1, Chart 2, and Chart 3) that must be followed sequentially to create the shawl's structure and design progression
• Garter stitch edging: One stitch in garter stitch is maintained at each edge of the shawl for a finished, neat border
• Strategic increases: The shawl expands from 3 cast-on stitches, with one additional 8-stitch pattern repeat added for each vertical repeat of Chart 1, eventually reaching 99 stitches before transitioning to the next chart section
• Blocking: After completion, the shawl is blocked to set the lace pattern and achieve proper finished measurements

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern utilizes charted stitch work that combines knit and purl stitches to create lace motifs. Knitters will work from three distinct charts in sequence:

• Chart 1: Worked over 24 rows, establishing the foundational lace pattern and shaping the initial width of the shawl. This chart is repeated nine additional times (10 times total), with each repetition adding one more 8-stitch pattern repeat to increase the overall width
• Chart 2: A 4-row repeating pattern worked continuously along the length of the shawl until the longer edge reaches approximately 60 inches
• Chart 3: An 8-row chart worked at the conclusion to shape and finish the shawl, decreasing from 99 stitches down to the final 3 stitches

The edge stitches in garter stitch are not shown on the charts but are maintained throughout construction for a polished finish.

Materials and Gauge

The Rochelle is designed to be knitted with Berroco Tiramisu yarn, a luxurious blend requiring 5 balls (250 grams total) in colorway #9233 Granita. Knitting needles in size 7 (4.5 mm) are used, or the size needed to obtain the correct gauge.

The specified gauge is 15 stitches and 21 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in pattern after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for accurate finished measurements, and knitters are advised to swatch and block their gauge swatch before beginning the project to ensure the shawl reaches its intended dimensions of 14 inches wide by 60 inches long.

Finishing

Once all knitting is complete, the shawl requires minimal finishing. All yarn ends are woven in securely, and the entire piece is blocked as desired to open up the lace pattern and set the final shape and measurements.