Lana Grossa Shawl Wrap Knitting Pattern

Lana Grossa Shawl in Colorissimo & Ecopuno

What Is Being Made

This is a large triangular shawl measuring approximately 125 x 180 cm, designed as a versatile wrap suitable for various occasions. The shawl showcases a sophisticated color palette combining multiple hues worked in two complementary yarn types for visual interest and textural contrast.

Yarn Materials

The shawl uses two distinct Lana Grossa yarns. The main body is worked with 300 grams of Lana Grossa Colorissimo, which is 100% extra-fine Merino wool with a yardage of 300 meters per 100 grams. The Colorissimo is worked in a multi-color blend featuring Olive, Turquoise, Light Green, Petrol, Camel, and Aubergine tones. The decorative lace border is created using 100 grams of Lana Grossa Ecopuno, a blend of 72% cotton, 17% Merino wool, and 11% baby alpaca with 215 meters per 50 grams, in Light Grey. This combination of a striped wool yarn with a cotton-blend border creates both color variation and functional structure.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires 4 mm and 4.5 mm circular needles, each 100 cm long. The use of circular needles accommodates the large cast-on and allows for working flat while managing the increasing stitch count as the shawl expands.

Construction Techniques

This shawl is worked using a top-down seamless construction, beginning with a small cast-on of 8 stitches and expanding outward to create the triangular shape. The piece is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, which is a common approach for large shawl projects. The seamless construction means there are no seams to join, resulting in a continuous, unified fabric.

Stitch Patterns and Techniques

The shawl incorporates multiple stitch techniques to create visual and textural interest:

• Garter Stitch: Used for the initial foundation rows, garter stitch (knitting every row) creates a stable, reversible fabric that serves as the base for the shawl's expansion.
• Stockinette Stitch: Abbreviated as St st, this fundamental knit stitch (knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows) forms the primary body of the shawl and provides a smooth, classic fabric.
• Lace Patterns: The shawl features sophisticated eyelet lace work created through yarn overs and decreases. The eyelet pattern is worked according to a detailed chart and includes decorative holes that add elegance and airiness to the fabric.
• Slip Stitch Patterns: Two slip stitch patterns are incorporated, each based on a 5-stitch repeat. Slip stitch pattern 1 alternates knit and slipped stitches, while slip stitch pattern 2 is worked according to a chart. These patterns create subtle texture and visual definition.
• Lace Border: A specialized border pattern based on a 3-stitch repeat is worked along the edge using the Ecopuno yarn. This border features yarn overs and decreases (k2tog, skp) to create an open, lacy finish, and includes a distinctive double yarn over technique that expands into multiple stitches on the following row.

Stitch Details and Pattern Repeats

The construction involves careful attention to selvage stitches (edge stitches that frame the pattern) and multiple pattern repeats. The eyelet pattern is worked for 12 rows total, followed by stockinette stitch sections. The border pattern uses a double yarn over technique, where a yarn over wrapped twice creates an expanded stitch that is worked into 5 stitches on the return row, adding decorative bulk and texture to the finished edge. The pattern concludes with a bind-off worked purlwise to create a neat, finished edge.

Finishing

The completed shawl is pinned to its finished measurements and blocked, a crucial step that sets the lace patterns, evens out the fabric, and helps the shawl achieve its intended dimensions and drape.

Design Characteristics

The combination of striped Colorissimo yarn in the body with the solid Light Grey Ecopuno border creates a sophisticated color contrast.