Costero Wrap Knitting Pattern

Costero Wrap in Malabrigo Arroyo

What Is Being Made

The Costero Wrap is a sophisticated knitted shawl designed by Meghan Huber that combines two semi-solid shades of yarn to create a striking visual effect. The wrap measures 27 inches (69 cm) wide and 92 inches (234 cm) long, making it a generous accessory suitable for draping and layering. The design draws inspiration from the natural meeting point of sand and ocean at the shoreline, with the two yarn colors twisting together and apart throughout the piece to evoke this dynamic landscape.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level project employs intarsia as its primary colorwork technique. Intarsia allows for the creation of geometric motifs by using separate lengths of yarn for different color sections, resulting in clean color transitions without the floats typical of stranded colorwork. The pattern utilizes short rows to build the intarsia wedges that form the geometric design across the wrap. These short rows are strategically placed and increased, then decreased, to create the dynamic visual pattern. The technique requires careful yarn management, including twisting the two yarns together at their junction points to prevent holes and maintain fabric integrity.

Stitches Used

The foundation of the Costero Wrap is garter stitch, which creates a fully reversible fabric. Garter stitch—formed by knitting every row—provides a textured, spongy base that showcases the intarsia colorwork beautifully on both sides. The pattern incorporates slip stitches worked purl-wise to create clean edges and transitions between color sections. Stitch markers are used throughout to track the placement of color changes and to manage the increasing and decreasing sections of the intarsia wedges. The stitch guide includes specific instructions for color increase rows and color decrease rows, which systematically expand and contract the colored sections to build the geometric motifs.

Materials

The Costero Wrap is worked in Malabrigo Arroyo, a 100% superwash Merino wool yarn. The project requires 4 skeins of Regatta Blue #134 (the main color) and 2 skeins of Sand Bank #131 (the contrast color). Each skein contains 335 yards (306 meters) and weighs 100 grams. The wrap is constructed on a US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle measuring at least 24 inches (61 cm) in length. A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in ends, and stitch markers assist in tracking pattern progression. After blocking, the gauge is 17 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch.