Rowan Samana Wrap Knitting Pattern

Rowan Samana Wrap by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Samana Wrap is a long, rectangular knitted wrap designed to be worked flat from one end to the other. The finished wrap measures 42.5 cm (16¾ inches) wide and approximately 210 cm (82¾ inches) long, making it a generous accessory suitable for draping and layering.

Craft and Techniques

This is a knitting project worked entirely flat on straight needles, rather than in the round. The wrap employs a sophisticated slip-stitch patterning technique that creates visual texture and color interest through the strategic use of two contrasting yarn colors. The pattern uses slip stitches worked on the right side and wrong side of the fabric to create a reversible, dimensional surface.

The construction begins with a two-color striped edge section worked in garter stitch, which provides a structured border. The main body features an eight-row repeat pattern that alternates between knit rows and purl rows with slip-stitch motifs. The slip-stitch technique involves slipping stitches purlwise with the yarn positioned at either the right side or wrong side of the work, creating floats that add depth and texture to the finished fabric.

A key technique note emphasizes stranding yarn loosely across slipped stitches to prevent distortion of the fabric, ensuring the wrap maintains its intended drape and appearance.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch – used for the edge sections, created by knitting every row
• Stockinette stitch – knit on right-side rows and purl on wrong-side rows, forming the base of the main pattern
• Slip stitches – specifically sL3RS (slip 3 stitches purlwise with yarn at right side) and sL3WS (slip 3 stitches purlwise with yarn at wrong side), worked in alternating directions to create the patterned texture
• Reverse stockinette stitch – purl stitches on the right side, used selectively within the pattern rows

Materials

The Samana Wrap is knitted using Rowan Island Blend Fine yarn, a fine-weight fiber that works beautifully with the slip-stitch pattern. Two yarn colors are required:

• Yarn A: Tungsten (color 110) – 7 x 50gm balls
• Yarn B: Jellyfish (color 107) – 3 x 50gm balls

The project requires two pairs of needles in different sizes to adjust gauge and fabric density at different stages:

• 2¾mm (US 2) needles – used for the cast-on edge and final border rows
• 3¼mm (US 3) needles – used for the main body pattern section

The recommended tension is 26 stitches and 63 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over the pattern using 3¼mm needles, ensuring consistent fabric density and finished dimensions.