Rowan Ecru Top Knitting Pattern

Rowan Ecru Knitted Wrap

What Is Being Made

The Rowan Ecru is a knitted wrap designed by Jen Geigley. This intermediate-level project creates a generous rectangular wrap measuring 196 cm (77¼ inches) in length with a maximum width of 56 cm (22 inches). The finished garment features a sophisticated construction with decorative stitch pattern elements and slip stitch edging details.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several key techniques appropriate for intermediate crafters. The wrap features slip stitch edging, which creates a neat, finished appearance along the edges. The pattern note specifies that all slipped stitches should be worked with yarn positioned at the wrong side of work—at the back of work on right-side rows and at the front of work on wrong-side rows. This technique ensures professional-looking selvage edges.

The wrap incorporates stitch marker placement as a structural design element. Marked stitches are strategically positioned and tracked throughout the garment, with specific instructions to move markers progressively closer to the straight row-end edge on every eighth row. This creates a deliberate shaping and patterning effect across the wrap's length.

Decreasing techniques are used to shape the wrap, with decreases worked at specific intervals using K2tog (knit two together) decreases. The pattern progresses through 56 rows of charted pattern work, with decreases integrated at designated points to achieve the final dimensions.

Stitches Used

The Rowan Ecru utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined in a structured pattern. The primary stitch is stockinette stitch (abbreviated as st st), which forms the base fabric. The pattern also incorporates reverse stockinette stitch elements, created by purling on right-side rows and knitting on wrong-side rows, particularly around the marked stitch positions.

The initial cast-on edge features a rib pattern, alternating knit and purl stitches (K1, P1 rib) for the first four rows. This ribbed section provides elasticity and a finished appearance at the wrap's starting edge. Throughout the body, the pattern alternates between stockinette and reverse stockinette sections, with slip stitches worked at the selvage edges for a refined finish.

Materials

The Rowan Ecru requires 5 x 50 gram balls of Rowan Cotton Cashmere yarn, photographed in the Ecru colorway (shade 226). This yarn blend provides a luxurious feel with practical care properties suitable for a wrap garment.

The project is worked on 4mm (US size 6) needles, one pair required. The recommended tension is 20 stitches and 28 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over stockinette stitch using 4mm needles. Achieving proper tension is essential for the wrap to reach its intended finished dimensions.

Additional materials include stitch markers in three colors—blue, red, and green thread markers—used to track specific stitches throughout the pattern progression. These markers serve both a functional and design purpose in the garment construction.