Berroco Trista Wrap Knitting Pattern

Berroco Trista Knit Lace Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Trista is a triangular knit shawl designed by Amy Christoffers. This wrap measures approximately 58 inches across the top and 21 inches down the center, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping. The shawl is worked from end to end using a structured increase and decrease construction that creates its distinctive triangular silhouette.

Craft and Techniques

This project is a knitting pattern that employs lace techniques combined with garter stitch construction. The shawl is worked flat on circular needles, meaning it is knitted in rows rather than in the round. The design uses a methodical approach: an increase section builds the shawl from a single cast-on stitch to its widest point, followed by a mirror-image decrease section that tapers back down to a single stitch. This symmetrical construction ensures balanced proportions and elegant drape.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The Trista features several fundamental knitting stitches that work together to create texture and openwork:

• Garter Stitch: The primary stitch throughout most rows, created by knitting every row. Garter stitch produces a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges.
• Yarn Overs (yo): Used in lace rows to create deliberate holes and openwork patterns. Yarn overs add airiness and visual interest to the shawl.
• Knit Two Together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used both to shape the shawl and to balance yarn overs in lace sections.
• Knit Front and Back (kfb): An increase stitch used during the increase section to gradually expand stitch count.

The lace pattern appears in alternating rows within the structured repeat, creating a subtle openwork detail that complements the solid garter stitch sections.

Materials and Gauge

This shawl is worked using Berroco Pima 100 yarn in the colorway Acorn (#8430). The pattern requires 2 hanks of this yarn, with each hank weighing 100 grams. Berroco Pima 100 is a pure pima cotton yarn, offering breathability and drape ideal for lace shawls.

The project uses a 29-inch circular needle in size 7 (4.50 mm). Circular needles are recommended for this flat-worked shawl to comfortably accommodate the increasing stitch count during construction.

The recommended gauge is 20 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished shawl meets the specified dimensions and drapes as intended.

Skill Level and Pattern Structure

The Trista is rated at intermediate skill level, making it accessible to knitters with some experience beyond absolute beginners. The pattern uses a 12-row repeat that is worked multiple times, with the increase section repeated 14 times before transitioning to the decrease section. This repetitive structure, while requiring attention to detail, provides a meditative knitting experience once the rhythm is established. The pattern concludes with finishing instructions to weave in ends and optional blocking to enhance the shawl's final appearance and drape.