Blue Sky Fibers Weldon Alpaca Wrap Knitting Pattern

Blue Sky Fibers Weldon Alpaca Wrap

Project Overview

The Weldon Alpaca Wrap is an elegant knitted shawl designed by Virginia Sattler-Reimer that combines practical warmth with sophisticated style. This versatile wrap features high sheen and beautiful drape, making it suitable for both evening wear and everyday layering. The finished wrap measures 70 inches in circumference with a 14½-inch width, allowing it to be worn long, double-wrapped, or triple-wrapped depending on personal preference and styling needs.

Craft and Techniques

This project is executed using the knitting craft with a straightforward construction method ideal for beginners. The wrap is worked flat back and forth in rows rather than in the round, despite using a circular needle to accommodate the large number of stitches. The simple construction involves creating a rectangular piece through basic knit and purl rows, which are then seamed together at the cast-on and bind-off edges to form the circular wrap shape. This seaming technique creates a unique finished piece with a distinctive construction detail.

Stitches Used

The Weldon Alpaca Wrap employs fundamental knitting stitches in a repeating four-row pattern:

• Knit stitch (k): Used in rows 1 and 3 of the pattern repeat
• Purl stitch (p): Used in rows 2 and 4 of the pattern repeat

This alternating knit and purl sequence creates textured rows throughout the wrap. The pattern repeats rows 1 through 4 continuously until the piece reaches the desired length of 70 inches or longer, with the final row completed as row 4 before binding off.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The wrap is knitted using Blue Sky Fibers Baby Alpaca in sport weight. The fiber content is 100% Baby Alpaca, prized for its softness and luxurious drape. Eight hanks of 50 grams each (providing 110 yards per hank) are required to complete the project. The pattern features two colorways: Pomegranate (No. 813) shown on the cover and Denim (No. 522) shown on the inside.

Needles and Tools: A 24-inch circular needle in size 6 (4mm) is required, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. The circular needle is used to accommodate the 75 cast-on stitches, even though the piece is worked flat. A tapestry needle is needed for seaming the wrap edges together and weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 21 stitches and 32 rows measured over 4 inches in pattern. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements of 70 inches in circumference and 14½ inches in width. The pattern includes a schematic diagram showing the wrap's proportions.

Difficulty Level

This wrap is classified as a beginner project, making it accessible to knitters new to the craft. The simple alternating knit and purl pattern requires only basic stitch knowledge and familiarity with fundamental techniques such as casting on, binding off, and seaming edges together.

Care Instructions

The Baby Alpaca wrap should be hand washed or dry cleaned to maintain its quality. When hand washing, use tepid water with mild soap and avoid twisting the fabric. After washing, shape the wrap and dry it flat on a towel. Storage should be neat and folded, as this wrap may become a cherished family heirloom.