Berroco Wallenda Cowl Knitting Pattern

Berroco Wallenda Cowl: Knitted Lace Design

What is Being Made

The Wallenda is a sophisticated knitted cowl designed by Mel Kennelly, suitable for intermediate-level knitters. This garment measures approximately 21 inches around with a 16-inch vertical drop at the center front, terminating in a decorative point. The cowl is constructed to drape elegantly around the neck and shoulders, combining both structured shaping and flowing lace elements.

Construction Method

The Wallenda cowl employs a hybrid construction technique that begins with a bottom-up approach worked flat in rows, then transitions to seamless in-the-round knitting. Specifically, the piece is worked from the bottom up in rows to the back neck, where it is then joined and completed working in the round to the top. This combination of flat and circular knitting allows for precise shaping during the initial rows while enabling efficient completion of the upper sections.

Techniques and Stitches Used

This pattern incorporates multiple advanced knitting techniques to create its distinctive appearance:

• Lace Pattern: The design features a lace pattern that develops progressively throughout the piece, with yarn overs (yo) and decreases creating openwork sections that become more elaborate as rows increase
• Yarn Overs: Yarn overs are used extensively to create the lace motifs and contribute to the garment's drape and visual interest
• Decreases: Slip, slip, slip, knit (SSSK) decreases are employed to shape the lace repeats and maintain stitch count balance
• Increases: Right-leaning increases (RLI) and left-leaning increases (LLI) are used during the initial flat rows to establish the proper width and shaping at the edges
• Stockinette Stitch: Stockinette stitch forms the foundation fabric in combination with the lace pattern
• Repeat Sequences: The pattern uses 8-row repeat sequences that are worked multiple times with increasing numbers of repeats, creating a graduated expansion from 3 stitches at the cast-on to 97 stitches by row 77

Materials and Tools

The Wallenda is designed to be worked with Berroco Spree yarn, requiring 2 balls of the 50-gram weight in colorway #94120 Pine. The yarn is worked on a 16-inch circular needle in size 4 (3.5 mm), or the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge. Additionally, a size E (3.5 mm) crochet hook and 1 stitch marker are required for construction.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 19 stitches and 30 rounds measured over 4 inches in stockinette stitch and lace pattern, with gauge measured after blocking. Accurate gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements and proper drape of the lace elements.

Pattern Progression

The Wallenda demonstrates a carefully structured progression, beginning with a minimal 3-stitch cast-on that expands through strategic increases and lace repeats. The pattern includes both written row-by-row directions and charted instructions through round 113, with a return to written instructions at round 114, accommodating different knitter preferences for reading pattern information.