Classic Elite Yarns Bernadette Wrap Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Bernadette Knit Alpaca Shawl

What Is Being Made

Bernadette is a triangular shawl designed to be knit in alpaca sock yarn. This one-piece accessory measures 58 inches wide across the top and 22½ inches long from top to bottom, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or draping. The shawl was originally published in New Mode 9236, a printed collection of designs by Classic Elite Yarns, and is designed by Angela Tong.

Construction Method and Techniques

This shawl is constructed using a top-down seamless approach, worked flat in one continuous piece without seaming. The design begins with a small garter stitch tab cast-on of just 3 stitches, which is then expanded by picking up stitches along the selvedge and cast-on edge to create the foundation. The shawl grows outward from a central stitch marked with stitch markers, creating a balanced triangular silhouette through strategic increases on both sides of the center point.

The shawl is divided into two distinct sections. The upper section features a 4-row repeat pattern worked 28 times, during which 8 stitches are increased with each completed repeat. The lower section uses an 8-row repeat pattern worked 4 additional times, with 16 stitches increased per repeat. This graduated increase strategy allows the shawl to expand gradually and maintain its triangular shape.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern incorporates several key stitches to create textural interest and visual appeal:

• Garter Stitch: Forms the foundation tab and creates a stable, reversible fabric
• Ridge Stitch: A textural stitch combining knit and purl rows with yarn overs and decreases (k2tog and kfb), used for swatching purposes. This stitch is worked over an even number of stitches in a 4-row repeat
• Yarn Overs (yo): Create decorative eyelet details and contribute to the lace qualities of the design
• Make One Increases (m1-l and m1-r): Left-leaning and right-leaning increases positioned on either side of the center stitch to maintain shaping
• Knit Front and Back (kfb): An increase stitch used within the textural sections
• Decreases (k2tog and p2tog): Used in combination with yarn overs to create reversible lace patterning

The lower section features lace patterning created through alternating rows of yarn overs and decreases (yo, p2tog and p2tog, yo combinations), which produce an openwork effect that complements the solid upper section.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern is designed to be worked in alpaca sock yarn from Classic Elite Yarns. The use of sock yarn—a fingering-weight yarn typically worked on smaller needles—combined with the lace and textural stitches creates a lightweight, drapable finished shawl. The variegated nature of the yarn is highlighted by the pattern, as noted in the design description: the textural stitches paired with the variegated yarn create a colorful accessory with visual depth and interest.

Skill Level and Suitability

This pattern is rated as Intermediate skill level, indicating it is suitable for knitters with foundational knowledge of basic stitches and comfortable working with stitch markers and pattern repeats. The top-down construction and use of stitch markers to track the center point make the shaping straightforward to follow, while the combination of textural and lace stitches provides engaging complexity.