Rowan Waffle Wrap Knitting Pattern

Rowan Waffle Wrap by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Waffle Wrap is a luxurious knitted shawl and wrap designed by Martin Storey. This finished piece measures 48 cm (19 inches) wide and 230 cm (90½ inches) long, making it an elegant accessory suitable for draping across the shoulders or wearing as a generous wrap. The design combines softness and sophistication through its use of premium yarn and thoughtful stitch construction.

Craft and Construction Method

This is a knitting project worked using the seamless, worked flat technique. The wrap is constructed by casting on stitches and working continuously in rows from one end to the other, creating a unified piece without seams. This method ensures a smooth, professional finish throughout the garment.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

The Rowan Waffle Wrap employs several fundamental knitting stitches to create its distinctive texture and appearance:

• Garter Stitch (g st): Used for the borders at the beginning and end of the wrap, garter stitch creates a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges. The wrap begins with 8 rows of garter stitch and concludes with 7 rows of garter stitch, providing neat, finished edges.
• Knit Stitch: The primary stitch used throughout the main body of the wrap, creating smooth stockinette-like rows on the right side.
• Purl Stitch: Combined with knit stitches to create the waffle texture pattern, purled stitches are worked across the center section while edge stitches remain in knit, producing the characteristic dimensional waffle effect.

The main pattern repeats in two variations. The primary 6-row pattern repeat uses yarn A for knit rows and edge stitches, with yarn B for full knit rows that create color contrast and textural interest. A modified 4-row pattern repeat is introduced later in the construction, reducing the yarn B rows to create subtle variation in the waffle texture as the wrap progresses in length.

Techniques and Shaping

The construction employs several key knitting techniques:

• Two-Needle Sizing: The pattern uses needle size changes to control fabric density and drape. The wrap begins and ends with 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the garter stitch borders, then transitions to 4mm (US 6) needles for the main patterned body. This sizing strategy creates crisp, defined edges while allowing the central section to develop appropriate fabric characteristics.
• Color Work: Two distinct yarn colors are introduced and worked in alternating rows to create the waffle pattern's visual and textural depth. Yarn A (Silver Lining) forms the base and edges, while yarn B (Stormy Sky) is introduced to create contrast rows.
• Pattern Repeats: The wrap is constructed through systematic repetition of pattern rows, with the 6-row pattern repeated 24 times, followed by extended length work using a 4-row pattern variation until the desired 180 cm measurement is achieved, then additional rows to reach the final 230 cm length.
• Finishing: The wrap concludes with a cast-off worked knitwise on the wrong side, ensuring a neat, professional edge. Pressing is recommended to set the fabric and enhance the waffle texture.

Yarn and Materials

The Rowan Waffle Wrap is knitted using Rowan Cotton Cashmere yarn, a premium blend that provides both breathability and luxurious softness. The pattern requires:

• Yarn A (Silver Lining, shade 224): 6 x 50gm balls
• Yarn B (Stormy Sky, shade 225): 5 x 50gm balls

The needles required are:

• 1 pair of 3¼mm (no 10, US 3) needles for border sections
• 1 pair of 4mm (no 8, US 6) needles for the main patterned body

Tension and Fit

Achieving proper tension is essential for this wrap's success. The pattern specifies 19 stitches and 31 rows to 10 cm measured over the 6-row pattern repeat using 4mm needles,