Rowan Contrast Squares Wrap Knitting Pattern

Rowan Contrast Squares Shawl by Kaffe Fassett

What Is Being Made

Rowan Contrast Squares is a knitted shawl designed by renowned colorwork artist Kaffe Fassett. This rectangular wrap measures 59 cm (23¼ inches) wide and 199 cm (78¼ inches) long, making it a generous accessory suitable for layering and draping. The shawl is constructed from two identical sections that are grafted together to create the finished piece.

Construction Method

The shawl is worked flat from the bottom up, meaning knitting begins at the cast-on edge and progresses toward the bind-off. Each of the two sections is created independently using the same pattern instructions, then joined using the grafting technique to seamlessly connect both pieces. This bottom-up, worked-flat construction allows for easy customization of length and provides clear visual progress as the shawl develops.

Colorwork Techniques

Contrast Squares employs multiple sophisticated colorwork methods to create its patterned design:

• Intarsia: This technique involves working with separate lengths of yarn for different colored sections, preventing long floats across the back of the fabric. Intarsia is ideal for large blocks of contrasting color and creates a smooth, flat fabric suitable for wraps.
• Stranded (Fairisle): Also called fairisle technique, stranded colorwork carries unused yarn across the back of the work, creating floats. This method is used in combination with intarsia throughout the pattern to achieve the contrast square design efficiently.

The pattern instructions specify using both intarsia and fairisle techniques as described in the accompanying information page, with the colorwork primarily worked in stockinette stitch.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The shawl features two primary stitch types:

• Garter Stitch (g st): Used for the initial 6 rows and maintained at the edge stitches (2 stitches at each end of every row) throughout the pattern. Garter stitch creates a textured, reversible fabric and provides a neat selvage edge.
• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The main stitch used for the patterned sections, worked in knit rows on the right side and purl rows on the wrong side. This smooth, classic stitch showcases the colorwork design effectively.

The pattern is worked from a chart containing a 40-stitch repeat that is worked three times across the row. Chart rows 20 through 60 are repeated five times in total to build the length of each section.

Yarn and Materials

Contrast Squares is knitted using Rowan Kidsilk Haze, a luxurious blend yarn worked double throughout the entire pattern. Two colorways are required:

• Yarn A: Turkish Plum (color 660) – 7 x 25gm balls
• Yarn B: White (color 612) – 7 x 25gm balls

Working yarn double means two strands are held together as one, creating a thicker, more substantial fabric from the delicate Kidsilk Haze fiber. This technique adds depth and ensures good stitch definition for the colorwork pattern.

Needles Required

The pattern calls for two needle sizes:

• 3¼mm (US 3) needles: Used for the initial cast-on and garter stitch foundation rows, which establish the base of the shawl.
• 4mm (US 6) needles: Used for the main patterned sections worked in stockinette stitch with colorwork.

The needle size change helps create a neat, controlled edge and ensures proper tension for the transition between the garter stitch border and the patterned body.

Tension and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a tension of 21 stitches and 23 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over the patterned stockinette stitch using 4mm needles and yarn worked double. Achieving correct tension is essential for the shawl to reach its intended finished dimensions of 59 cm wide by 199 cm long.

Pattern Features

The design includes several noteworthy construction details: the pattern repeat is an odd number of rows, which affects how the chart repeats are managed. The shawl is completed with pressing