Melanie Berg Beachy Keen PDF Wrap Knitting Pattern

Melanie Berg Beachy Keen Knitted Shawl

Project Overview

Beachy Keen is a textured knitted shawl designed by independent designer Melanie Berg that captures the essence of summertime relaxation through its gentle waves of color and stitch. This seamless, flat-worked wrap features alternating bands of ocean-inspired hues—sandy tones, sunny oranges, and smoky grays—creating a breezy aesthetic perfect for warm-weather wear. The finished shawl measures 94.5 inches across the wingspan along the top edge and 19.75 inches deep, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or draping.

What Is Being Made

Beachy Keen is a triangular or crescent-shaped shawl and wrap, designed to be worn as a lightweight layer during summer months. The generous wingspan and moderate depth make it versatile for various styling options, from a shoulder wrap to a decorative shawlette. The design emphasizes relaxed, easygoing aesthetic inspired by beach and coastal themes.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to create its distinctive texture and visual interest:

• Cable stitches: The pattern features 3-stitch cables worked using custom cable techniques labeled CL (cable left) and CR (cable right). These cables are integrated into textured bands that create the wave-like visual effect throughout the shawl. The CL technique involves inserting the right needle from back to front to secure stitches before crossing, while the CR technique works from the front. Knitters have flexibility in executing these cables using their preferred cable techniques.
• Garter stitch: A smoky gray garter stitch forms the primary background of the shawl, providing a neutral canvas that allows the colored cable bands to stand out prominently.
• Stripes: Textured bands in varying colors—including ocean blues and sunny oranges—alternate against the garter stitch background to create a striped effect that mimics the movement of waves and sand.
• Seamless construction: The shawl is worked seamlessly without requiring seaming, allowing for continuous knitting from cast-on to bind-off.
• Flat working: The piece is worked flat rather than in the round, making it accessible for knitters who prefer traditional flat needlework.

Stitches Used

The primary stitches featured in Beachy Keen include garter stitch for the background and 3-stitch cables for the textured bands. The cable stitches are customized with specific techniques (CL and CR) that require careful stitch manipulation. Knit stitches form the foundation of the entire piece, with the abbreviation kk used to denote a knit stitch worked after cable crossing to maintain pattern integrity.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The sample shown in the pattern was created using Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply yarn, a 100% Merino wool yarn that provides softness and breathability ideal for summer wear. The main color (MC1) is "Sycamore," with 1 skein (96 grams / 349 yards / 319 meters) used in the sample. The secondary main color (MC2) is "Fieldmouse," also 1 skein (100 grams / 364 yards / 333 meters) used in the sample. Contrast colors are sourced from Miss Babs Yummy 2-Ply Toes (a fingering-weight option), including Desert Holly (CC1), Manzanita (CC2), Sacred Datura (CC3), Screwbean Mesquite (CC4), Desert Senna (CC5), and Chaparral (CC6), with specific yardages used for each colorway in the sample.

The pattern is designed with yardage flexibility in mind. Knitters are encouraged to use their favorite gradient yarn sets and can adjust the finished size by binding off earlier if yarn runs short, as Beachy Keen is engineered to make the most of available yardage. The blocked gauge is 11 stitches by 22 rows over 2 inches by 2 inches (5 centimeters by 5 centimeters) in garter stitch, which should be verified before beginning to ensure proper finished dimensions.

While specific needle size recommendations are not detailed in the provided content, knitters should select needles appropriate for the yarn weight and desired gauge to achieve the 11-stitch, 22-row gauge specified in the pattern.