Classic Elite Yarns Jasperwood Wrap Knitting Pattern

Classic Elite Yarns Jasperwood Lace Shawl

What is Being Made

The Jasperwood is a triangular shawl designed by Susan Mills, worked from the tip upward in a seamless, flat construction. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a finished piece measuring approximately 68 inches wide and 26¼ inches deep at the center when blocked. The shawl features a sophisticated color-work design combining stripes with delicate eyelet patterning throughout.

Knitting Techniques Used

This shawl employs several key knitting techniques that build complexity and visual interest:

• Bottom-up construction: The shawl begins with a small cast-on at the tip and expands outward through strategic increases worked at the beginning of rows using the backward loop cast-on method.
• Lace knitting: Eyelet patterns are created through yarn-over and knit-two-together decreases, forming decorative holes that contribute to the shawl's elegant drape.
• Seamless, worked-flat design: The entire project is worked on circular needles in flat rows rather than in the round, eliminating the need for seaming while maintaining a traditional shawl construction.
• Stripe patterning: Color changes are introduced strategically throughout the piece, alternating between two yarn colors to create visual definition and depth.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Jasperwood utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined into a repeating pattern sequence:

• Knit stitch (k): Forms the base fabric and structural elements of the shawl.
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used both for shaping increases and creating eyelet holes.
• Yarn-over (yo): Creates the decorative eyelet holes that characterize the lace pattern.
• Slip stitch (sl st): Used in the bind-off technique to create a loose, flexible edge suitable for shawl finishing.
• Knit two together through the back loop (k2tog-tbl): A left-leaning decrease incorporated into the final bind-off.
• Pattern repeat: An 8-row repeat forms the foundation of the design, combining garter stitch sections with eyelet rows to create rhythmic visual texture.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Jasperwood pattern calls for Juna yarn by Classic Elite Yarns, a premium blend composed of 80% merino wool and 20% superfine alpaca. This fiber combination provides excellent stitch definition for lace work while offering the warmth and softness characteristic of merino and alpaca blends.

• Color A (Gray Gardens): 1 hank (approximately 439 yards) provides the primary color and uses nearly the entire hank in the finished shawl.
• Color B (Indigo): 2 hanks (approximately 878 yards total) are required for the stripe sections and final lace repeats.
• Needles: A US size 4 (3.5 mm) circular knitting needle measuring 24 inches or longer is required. The circular needle accommodates the expanding stitch count as the shawl grows from the tip, though the work remains flat throughout.
• Gauge: 23 stitches and 40 rows equal 4 inches in pattern stitch when blocked. Achieving proper gauge is essential, as the pattern includes guidance for adjusting repeat counts if gauge differs from specifications.

Construction Overview

The shawl begins with a 7-stitch cast-on and 4 rows of garter stitch foundation. The main body is then constructed through eighteen complete 8-row pattern repeats in the primary color, followed by three alternating stripe sequences of colors B and A. The piece concludes with eight additional repeats in color B, creating a total of 391 stitches before the final bind-off. The loose bind-off technique ensures the shawl edge remains flexible and drapes beautifully when worn.