Greenwood Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Greenwood Shawl in Berroco Ultra Alpaca

What is Being Made

The Greenwood Shawl is a triangular knitted wrap designed by Martha Wissing. This intermediate-level shawl features finished measurements of 80 inches long with a 36-inch width at the wide end and 5 inches at the narrow end, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a traditional shawlette.

Construction Method

The shawl is worked from the bottom (wide end) upward, beginning with a decorative picot cast on and concluding with a matching picot bind off. This construction approach allows the shawl to gradually taper from its widest point to a narrow point, creating the characteristic triangular silhouette. The use of a circular knitting needle accommodates the increasing stitch count during the early rows of construction.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and texture to the finished piece:

• Picot Cast On: A decorative edge technique using the knitted method, creating a series of small loops along the cast-on edge. The picot cast on is executed by casting on 4 stitches, knitting 2, then passing stitches over to create the characteristic picot bumps, repeating until 132 stitches are established.
• Picot Bind Off: A matching decorative finish that mirrors the cast-on edge, creating a polished, symmetrical appearance.
• Kfbf (Knit Front Back Front): An increase stitch that creates 2 new stitches from a single stitch by knitting into the front, back, and front of the same stitch, used strategically throughout the pattern for shaping.
• Make Bobble (MB): A textured stitch worked over 2 stitches that adds dimensional detail. The bobble is created by knitting into the front, back, and front twice, then working several rows of decreases to form a raised bump.
• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch pattern, created by alternating knit and purl rows, providing a smooth, classic fabric base.
• Yarn Overs (yo): Decorative increases that create lacy openings in the fabric, contributing to the shawl's elegant drape.
• Slip Stitches (wyif/wyib): Stitches slipped with yarn in front or in back, used at pattern edges for neat selvage edges.
• Centered Decreases (SSK and k2tog): Shaping decreases that maintain the shawl's symmetrical triangular form.

Materials Required

The Greenwood Shawl is designed to be worked in Berroco Ultra Alpaca yarn, a luxury fiber blend. The pattern calls for 6 hanks of Berroco Ultra Alpaca in colorway #62189 Barley, with each hank weighing 100 grams. A 29-inch circular knitting needle in size 8 (5.00 mm) is required, or the appropriate size needed to achieve the specified gauge.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Achieving accurate gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements and drape of the shawl. The pattern emphasizes checking gauge before beginning to ensure successful results.