Floyd Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Floyd Shawl in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light

What Is Being Made

The Floyd Shawl is a triangular knit shawl designed by Åsa Buchta. This intermediate-level project produces a finished shawl measuring approximately 60 inches across the top edge by 30 inches down the center, making it a versatile wrap suitable for layering or draping across the shoulders.

Construction and Techniques

The Floyd Shawl is constructed using a top-down approach, beginning with a garter stitch tab cast-on. The shawl is worked by increasing at the sides and center down toward the border, creating the characteristic triangular silhouette. The design features quilt star motifs that are worked using the intarsia color-work technique, which allows for detailed patterning with multiple yarn colors.

Intarsia color work requires careful yarn management to prevent holes and loose loops. The pattern specifies holding yarn to the left and picking up new colors from underneath when changing colors. Additionally, yarn should not be carried across more than 3 stitches without twisting on the wrong side to prevent long loops that could catch or distort the fabric.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch: Used for the initial tab cast-on, creating a textured, reversible fabric
• Stockinette Stitch: The primary stitch throughout the main shawl body, providing a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Make One Left (M1L) and Make One Right (M1R): Increases worked at strategic points to shape the shawl's triangular form
• Intarsia: Color-work technique used to create the quilt star motifs with multiple colors

Materials

The Floyd Shawl is knit using Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light, a luxurious yarn blend. The pattern calls for 4 hanks of color #42189 Barley as the main color (MC), plus 1 hank each of the following contrast colors: #4267 Orchid (CC1), #4268 Candied Yam Mix (CC2), #4275 Pea Soup Mix (CC3), and #42105 Eggplant (CC4). Each hank weighs 50 grams.

A 32-inch circular needle in size 6 (4 mm) is required, or the size needed to achieve the specified gauge. Stitch markers are also necessary for tracking pattern repeats and increase points throughout the construction.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, measured after blocking. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure the finished shawl meets the intended measurements. Blocking is a necessary finishing step to set the stitches and achieve accurate dimensions.