Blue Sky Fibers Nowthen Wrap Knitting Pattern

Blue Sky Fibers Nowthen Wrap

Project Overview

The Nowthen Wrap is an elegant, generously-sized knit wrap designed by Sylvia Hager for Blue Sky Fibers. This timeless accessory combines warmth and sophistication, measuring 78 inches in length and 18 inches in width when completed. The wrap is worked seamlessly from the bottom up using a blend of techniques that create visual interest and texture throughout the piece.

Craft and Construction Method

This is a knitting project suitable for intermediate-level crafters. The wrap is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for a traditional construction approach. The design employs a bottom-up building method, beginning with a cast-on edge and progressing upward to the finished length before binding off.

Techniques and Stitch Patterns

The Nowthen Wrap showcases multiple knitting techniques to create its distinctive appearance:

• Rib Pattern: The wrap begins and ends with a rib pattern that frames the central design elements. This ribbed section measures 3 inches at both the top and bottom of the finished piece, providing structure and elasticity.
• Eyelet Lace: The main body of the wrap features eyelet lace panels that are 28 stitches wide. These lace sections create an open, airy quality while maintaining the wrap's drape and elegance. The eyelet lace is worked over 24 rows per 4 inches of fabric.
• Cables: Integrated throughout the design, cable stitches add textural depth and a classic aesthetic to the wrap.
• Seamless Construction: The wrap is designed without seams, creating a continuous, unified piece from cast-on to bind-off.

Yarn and Materials

The Nowthen Wrap is designed specifically for use with Blue Sky Fibers Eco-Cashmere in DK weight. This yarn is an environmentally conscious blend of 50% recycled cashmere and 50% virgin cashmere, combining sustainability with luxury softness. The pattern requires 8 hanks of yarn, with each hank containing 50 grams and 164 yards of fiber. The colorway shown in the pattern is No. 1800 Polished Purl.

Needles and Tools

Two sizes of needles are required to achieve proper gauge throughout the wrap:

• Size 5 (3.75 mm) needles: Used for the rib pattern sections, these smaller needles create the tighter gauge needed for the structured ribbed areas. The rib pattern should measure 20 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches when worked on these needles.
• Size 7 (4.5 mm) needles: Used for the eyelet lace panels, these larger needles accommodate the more open lace work. The eyelet lace panels should measure 22 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches when worked on these needles.

Additional tools needed include stitch markers to track pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends during finishing.

Pattern Structure and Gauge

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this wrap to reach its intended finished measurements. The pattern provides two separate gauge measurements to account for the different stitch patterns and needle sizes used. Knitters should swatch both the rib pattern and the eyelet lace panel before beginning to ensure their tension matches the pattern specifications.

Construction Steps

Step 1 - Main Wrap: Using the smaller needles, cast on 98 stitches and work the rib pattern for 3 inches. Switch to the larger needles and begin the lace section, which combines knit stitches, eyelet lace panels, yarn overs, and decreases in a repeating sequence. This lace section is worked until the piece measures 75 inches in length. The wrap is then finished with another 3-inch rib pattern section before binding off.

Step 2 - Finishing: After binding off, weave in all yarn ends using the tapestry needle. Block the wrap as desired to set the stitches and even out the lace pattern.

Step 3 - Care: The wrap should be hand washed or dry cleaned. Wash in tepid water using mild soap, avoiding twisting. Shape the wrap and dry it flat on a towel to maintain its dimensions and prevent stretching.

Design Details

The Nowthen Wrap is part of Blue Sky Fibers