Quail Studio Morgan Wrap Knitting Pattern

Quail Studio Morgan Knitted Shawl and Wrap

What Is Being Made

The Quail Studio Morgan is a bottom-up knitted shawl and wrap designed to be worked flat on needles. The completed wrap measures 37 centimeters (14½ inches) wide and 235 centimeters (92½ inches) long, making it a generous accessory suitable for layering and draping.

Construction and Techniques

This design employs a structured approach to shawl construction, utilizing several key knitting techniques to create visual interest and shape:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The shawl is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it grows and adjust the final length if desired.
• Worked Flat: Rather than working in the round, this shawl is knitted flat on straight needles, which simplifies the construction process and makes it accessible to knitters of all experience levels.
• Stripe Patterning: The Morgan features a carefully planned stripe sequence using three different yarn colors (designated as A, B, and C). The stripe pattern repeats in structured blocks throughout the garment, creating a rhythmic visual pattern that changes as the shawl develops.
• Stitch Marker Placement: Strategic use of stitch markers helps maintain shaping and guides the knitter through the construction, particularly during increases and decreases.

Stitches and Shaping

The Morgan employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with directional increases and decreases to create its distinctive shape:

• Garter Stitch (g st): The primary stitch throughout the shawl, created by knitting every row. Garter stitch produces a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges and is ideal for wraps as it provides warmth and drape.
• Make One Left (M1L) and Make One Right (M1R): These directional increase stitches are worked strategically to shape the shawl. They create new stitches without leaving visible holes, maintaining the integrity of the garter stitch pattern.
• Knit Two Together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to shape the shawl as it progresses, particularly during the final sections where the wrap tapers.
• Slip Stitch (SLM): Stitch markers are slipped rather than worked, preserving the continuity of the pattern while marking important shaping points.
• Cast Off: Used to secure stitches and finish edges as the shawl nears completion.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

Yarn: The Morgan is knitted using Rowan Kid Classic, a soft and luxurious yarn blend. The pattern calls for a total of 11 balls of yarn distributed across three coordinating shades:

• Yarn A: 5 balls in Feather 828 (the primary color)
• Yarn B: 4 balls in Pumice 888 (a secondary color)
• Yarn C: 2 balls in Smoke 831 (an accent color)

Each ball weighs 50 grams, providing approximately 550 meters of yarn per ball when using Rowan Kid Classic.

Needles: The pattern specifies 4.5mm needles (UK size 7 / US size 7). These needles are sized to work with the Rowan Kid Classic yarn to achieve the appropriate fabric density and drape required for the finished shawl.

Pattern Structure and Progression

The Morgan follows a methodical progression through multiple sections. The pattern begins with set-up rows that establish the foundation and initial shaping, followed by a series of increase rows that build the width of the shawl. Once the desired width is achieved, the pattern transitions into the stripe sequence, where the three yarn colors are introduced in a repeating cycle. The final sections involve decreasing stitches and creating tapered edges, culminating in fastening off individual stitches to complete the wrap.

Finishing

Once all knitting is complete, the Morgan requires pressing to even out the stitches and enhance the finished appearance. Pressing is performed according to standard finishing instructions, helping to set the fabric and create a polished, professional look.