Gardiner Yarn Works Amethyst Wrap Knitting Pattern

Gardiner Yarn Works Amethyst Wrap

What is Being Made

The Amethyst Wrap is a delicate, shoulder-warming rectangular shawl designed by Chrissy Gardiner. This versatile accessory measures 16 inches by 50 inches after blocking and is perfect for elegant occasions such as a night at the opera or an outdoor concert in the park. The wrap is worked as a seamless, flat rectangle that provides graceful coverage without the bulk of heavier wraps.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several advanced techniques to create its refined appearance. The wrap is worked bottom-up in a seamless construction, meaning you cast on and work continuously without joining seams. The primary design element is lace patterning, which creates an open, airy fabric perfect for layering. The pattern uses charted instructions alongside written directions, allowing knitters to choose their preferred method of following the pattern.

The lace pattern is strategically divided into three sections using stitch markers: Chart 1 covers stitches 1-28, Chart 2 covers stitches 29-85, and Chart 3 covers stitches 86-113. The pattern requires working three repeats of Rows 1-8 from Charts 1 and 3 for every two repeats of Rows 1-12 from Chart 2, creating a balanced and harmonious design across the width of the wrap.

Stitches Used

The Amethyst Wrap utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined in lace patterns to achieve its delicate appearance. Core stitches include:

• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches as the foundation
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) for decreasing
• Slip, slip, knit (SK2P) and slip 2 stitches together, knit 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over (S2KP) for double decreases that shape the lace
• Slip stitch as if to purl (sl) for manipulating stitches without working them
• Cable needle (cn) techniques for creating textured elements within the lace pattern

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Amethyst Wrap requires fingering-weight yarn with a minimum yardage of 500 yards, though the pictured sample used approximately 800 yards. The sample was knitted using Handmaiden Sea Silk in Amethyst, which provides the wrap with its characteristic delicate drape and subtle sheen.

Essential tools include size 4 (3.5mm) needles for working the fingering-weight yarn. Additional supplies needed are a yarn needle for weaving in ends during finishing, a cable needle for cable stitch techniques, and 2 stitch markers to track the three pattern sections across the width of the wrap.

Gauge and Difficulty

The pattern specifies a gauge of 28 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches in the lace pattern, though the designer notes that gauge is not critical for this project, making it more forgiving for knitters with varying tension. The Amethyst Wrap is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with solid foundational skills who are ready to tackle lace patterning and charted instructions.

Finishing

Finishing is an important step that enhances the wrap's final appearance. After binding off all stitches very loosely, weave in ends and block the finished piece. Soak the wrap briefly in cool water with mild detergent or wool wash such as Eucalan or Soak. Gently remove the piece from water and remove excess moisture by rolling in towels or using a top-loading washing machine's spin cycle. The blocking process allows the lace pattern to open up and the wrap to reach its finished dimensions.