Stacy Charles Fine Yarns Auriela Wrap Knitting Pattern

Auriela Knitted Shawl by Stacy Charles Fine Yarns

What is Being Made

The Auriela is a rectangular knitted shawl and wrap designed by Lidia Karabinech. This elegant accessory measures 22 inches wide by 79 inches long (not including fringe), making it a versatile piece suitable for layering or draping. The pattern is offered in one size and is rated as easy difficulty, making it accessible to knitters with basic skills.

Techniques Used

This shawl employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive aesthetic. The primary construction method is seamless, worked flat knitting, meaning the entire piece is created in one continuous section without seaming pieces together. The most innovative technique featured in this pattern is the laddering effect, which is created through a strategic bind-off process. During the bind-off row, specific stitches are intentionally dropped off the needle and left to unravel all the way down to the cast-on edge. This controlled unraveling creates vertical ladder-like openings that widen and elongate the finished shawl, adding visual interest and drape. The pattern also incorporates lace elements through this laddering technique, creating an airy, openwork quality without traditional lace stitching.

Stitches Used

The Auriela pattern utilizes straightforward stitchwork, primarily featuring Stockinette Stitch (abbreviated St st) as the foundational stitch throughout the entire piece. Stockinette Stitch is created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, producing the classic smooth, V-patterned fabric that serves as the base for the laddering effect. The pattern also employs basic bind-off techniques and cast-on methods to establish and finish the edges. Crochet is used minimally, only for attaching the fringe using basic slip stitch techniques with a crochet hook.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Auriela pattern calls for 7 balls of Stacy Charles Fine Yarns FLORA, a high-quality blended yarn composed of 95% cotton and 5% polyester. Each ball contains 0.88 ounces (25 grams) and provides 114 yards (105 meters) of yardage. The recommended color for this pattern is #07 smoky quartz, a sophisticated neutral shade. The cotton-polyester blend provides breathability and drape ideal for a shawl, while the small polyester percentage adds durability and elasticity.

Needles, Hooks, and Tools

Construction of the Auriela requires one pair of size 6 (4mm) needles or the size necessary to obtain the correct gauge. A size G-6 (4mm) crochet hook is needed exclusively for attaching the fringe to the finished shawl. A yarn needle is essential for weaving in ends and finishing the piece.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 26 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in Stockinette Stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is emphasized as critical to ensure the finished shawl achieves the intended dimensions of 22 inches wide by 79 inches long. The pattern is offered in one size only.

Fringe Details

The Auriela features a decorative fringe finish along both short ends. The pattern requires cutting 140 strands of yarn, each approximately 15 inches (38 centimeters) long, prior to beginning the main knitting. During finishing, 14 fringes are attached to each short end using the crochet hook, with fringes placed in 4-stitch spaces. Each fringe is created by holding 5 strands of yarn together, creating a full, luxurious finish that complements the laddering effect of the body.

Pattern Construction Overview

The Auriela begins with casting on 82 stitches and working continuously in Stockinette Stitch until approximately 3 yards (1 meter) of yarn remains. The distinctive bind-off row creates the signature laddering: knitters bind off 4 stitches, then intentionally drop the next 2 stitches off the needle (leaving approximately 1 inch of yarn between bind-offs), bind off another 4 stitches, and repeat this sequence to the end of the row. Once all stitches are bound off, the dropped stitches are unraveled to the cast-on edge, creating