Blue Sky Fibers Frances Wrap Knitting Pattern

Blue Sky Fibers Frances Wrap

What is Being Made

The Frances Wrap is a sophisticated art deco-inspired shawl and wrap designed by Elizabeth Mautz-Redmann. This knitted wrap features dramatic angles and eye-catching intarsia colorwork using jewel-like metallic yarns. The design is available in two sizes: a scarf measuring 47¾ inches long by 5¾ inches wide, and a larger wrap measuring 74¾ inches long by 11½ inches wide. The wrap is worked flat and seamed, making it an intermediate-level knitting project.

Techniques Used

The Frances Wrap employs several advanced knitting techniques to achieve its striking visual impact. Intarsia is the primary color technique used throughout this project. Intarsia is a method of color knitting that introduces a new strand of yarn for each distinct block of color, allowing for bold, defined color changes without the floats associated with stranded colorwork. When working intarsia, yarn strands must be carefully wrapped to prevent gaps at color transitions. On right-side rows, the previous color yarn is brought over the new yarn to the left while the new yarn is brought up from below on the right. On wrong-side rows, the previous color yarn is brought over the new yarn to the left while the new yarn is brought up from below on the right, maintaining proper tension throughout the color changes.

The wrap is worked flat rather than in the round, allowing the knitter to work back and forth in rows. After the flat knitting is complete, the wrap is seamed together to create the finished garment. This construction method provides excellent control over the intarsia colorwork and the dramatic angles that define the design.

Stitches Used

The Frances Wrap is primarily constructed using Tubular Stockinette Stitch, a specialized stitch that creates a smooth, polished fabric. Tubular Stockinette Stitch is worked over a multiple of 2 stitches and is created by repeating a single row pattern: slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in front, then knit 1 stitch. This row is repeated throughout to build the tubular stockinette fabric. The gauge for this stitch is 42 stitches and 27 rows over 4 inches, providing a dense, structured fabric suitable for a dramatic wrap.

Materials and Yarn

The Frances Wrap is designed to be worked with Blue Sky Alpacas Metalico yarn, a specialty yarn that provides the jewel-like metallic effects central to the design's appeal. The pattern photograph shows the wrap worked in three coordinating colorways: Silver #1611 (Color A), Opal #1610 (Color B), and Platinum #1612 (Color C). These metallic shades create the striking intarsia color blocks that form the art deco pattern. The pattern is presented as a downloadable PDF format, allowing knitters to access the complete instructions and stitch charts digitally.

Project Details

• Experience Level: Intermediate
• Craft: Knitting
• Construction: Worked flat and seamed
• Primary Stitch: Tubular Stockinette Stitch
• Gauge: 42 stitches and 27 rows = 4 inches in Tubular Stockinette Stitch
• Available Sizes: Scarf (60 stitches total) and Wrap (120 stitches total)
• Yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Metalico