Rowan Snug Wrap Knitting Pattern

Rowan Snug Wrap by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Snug Wrap is a generously sized knitted shawl and wrap designed to provide warmth and style. This finished wrap measures 66.5 cm (26¼ inches) wide and 197 cm (77½ inches) long, making it a substantial accessory suitable for draping around the shoulders or wearing as a traditional wrap. The design combines classic knitting techniques with modern construction methods to create a versatile garment that works for various occasions.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished design:

• Bottom-up construction: The wrap is knitted from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on and adjust the length as needed during the knitting process.
• Seamless, flat knitting: The entire wrap is worked flat on straight needles without seaming, creating a clean, unified fabric with no joins to interrupt the pattern flow.
• Cable work: Decorative cable stitches are incorporated throughout the main body of the wrap using a cable needle, adding textural interest and visual depth to the design.
• Garter stitch borders: Garter stitch is worked at both the beginning and end of the pattern, as well as along the edges, providing a stable frame for the more complex patterned sections.

Stitches Used

The Rowan Snug Wrap utilizes a combination of fundamental and intermediate stitches:

• Garter stitch (g st): Created by knitting every row, this stitch forms the foundation rows and edge stitches, providing stability and a classic textured appearance.
• Cable stitches: Two specialized cable techniques are employed: sl 2R (slip next stitch onto cable needle and leave at back of work, slip next stitch purlwise onto right-hand needle, then knit one from cable needle) and sl 2L (slip next stitch purlwise onto cable needle and leave at front of work, knit one, then slip stitch from cable needle onto right-hand needle). These create the twisted, rope-like texture characteristic of cable knitting.
• Slip stitches: The pattern uses sl 1p wyf (slip one stitch purlwise with yarn in front) at the beginning of rows to create neat, finished edges throughout the wrap.
• Chart-based patterning: The main body of the wrap follows a 52-row repeat chart that is worked 13 times in total, allowing for the wrap's impressive length while maintaining consistent pattern repeats.

Materials

The Rowan Snug Wrap is designed to be worked in Rowan Softyak DK yarn, a DK-weight yarn that provides excellent drape and softness. The pattern requires 14 × 50-gram balls of yarn, totaling 700 grams. The photographed sample is shown in Taupe 245, a neutral colorway that complements various wardrobes.

The pattern calls for two pairs of needles to accommodate the tension changes throughout the wrap:

• 3¼mm (US 3) needles: Used for the initial cast-on and garter stitch foundation rows, as well as the final rows and cast-off edge. These smaller needles create a tighter gauge suitable for edge definition.
• 4mm (US 6) needles: Used for the main patterned section of the wrap, where the cable and chart-based stitches are worked. The larger needle size creates the appropriate gauge for the pattern repeat.
• Cable needle: Essential for manipulating stitches when working the cable techniques throughout the pattern.

Gauge and Finished Dimensions

The pattern specifies a tension of 25 stitches and 35 rows to 10 centimeters when measured over the patterned section using 4mm (US 6) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is important for obtaining the intended finished dimensions and ensuring the wrap drapes properly. The completed wrap spans a generous width and length, making it suitable for multiple styling options from a traditional wrap to a large shawlette.