Malabrigo Barnstable Wrap Knitting Pattern

Malabrigo Barnstable Shawl

What Is Being Made

The Malabrigo Barnstable is a bottom-up, seamless knitted shawl and wrap designed by Lisa Hannes. This intermediate-level project features a distinctive triangular silhouette that begins from a single point and expands through strategic increases to create a fluid, body-draped garment. The finished shawl measures 78 inches along the top edge and reaches a depth of 17 inches at the point, making it an elegant accessory suitable for layering and draping.

Techniques Used

The Barnstable employs several advanced knitting techniques to achieve its unique aesthetic and construction:

• Bottom-up construction: The shawl is worked from a single point upward, with continuous increases across the body of the piece
• Bias shaping: The fabric is shaped on the bias to create the fluid drape and body-hugging fit characteristic of the design
• Stranded colorwork: A two-color mosaic segment creates visual interest and texture variation throughout the shawl
• Worked flat: The entire project is completed on straight needles without joining, maintaining a traditional flat-knit construction
• Mosaic knitting: This slip-stitch colorwork technique allows the knitter to work with two colors while carrying only one color per row, creating the appearance of complex stranded work with simplified execution

Stitches Used

The Barnstable pattern incorporates fundamental knitting stitches combined in strategic ways:

• Garter stitch: The solid-color foundation of the shawl is worked entirely in garter stitch, which creates a reversible, textured fabric with excellent drape
• Mosaic stitch: A two-color mosaic chart section introduces slip-stitch colorwork, where stitches are slipped with yarn in back (wyib) or yarn in front (wyif) to create color patterns
• Increase stitches: Knit front and back (kfb) increases are used at the beginning of rows to expand the shawl from point to edge
• Decrease stitches: Knit two together (k2tog) decreases maintain stitch count balance during the bias shaping
• Slip stitches: Slipped stitches with yarn held appropriately create clean edges and are essential to the mosaic colorwork sections

Materials and Yarn

The Barnstable is designed to showcase the qualities of Malabrigo Dos Tierras yarn, a luxurious blend of merino wool and baby alpaca. The pattern calls for 3½ ounces (100 grams) hanks, each containing approximately 210 yards (193 meters). The specific yardage requirements are:

• 2 hanks in color #850 Archangel (main color, or MC)
• 1 hank in color #36 Pearl (contrasting color, or CC)

The merino wool and baby alpaca blend provides softness, elasticity, and a beautiful drape essential for this shawl's design. The yarn's characteristics allow the garter stitch and mosaic sections to display their texture and colorwork clearly.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires two pairs of needles in different sizes to accommodate gauge changes throughout the project:

• One pair each of sizes 6 and 7 (4 and 4.5 mm) needles worked flat
• Smaller needles (size 6) are used for the solid garter stitch sections to achieve proper gauge
• Larger needles (size 7) are used for the mosaic chart section and final bind-off
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends and finishing

Gauge

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies 17 stitches and 34 rows equal 4 inches (10 centimeters) over garter stitch using the smaller needles in the main color only, or using the larger needles while following the mosaic chart. Knitters are strongly encouraged to take time to check gauge before beginning, as gauge accuracy directly affects the final dimensions and drape of the finished shawl.