Swans Island Blaire Wrap Knitting Pattern

Swans Island Blaire Knitted Shawl

What is Being Made

The Blaire is a seamless, bottom-up knitted shawl designed by Michele Rose Orne. This one-size wrap features a finished width of 38¾ inches and a length from shoulder of 20 inches, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering and draping. The shawl is constructed using a thoughtful construction method that begins with two separate fronts worked upward, followed by back neck stitches that are cast on to complete the piece as it's worked down to the bottom edge.

Techniques Used

The Blaire employs several advanced knitting techniques to achieve its elegant construction:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The shawl is worked from the lower edges upward, allowing knitters to try on and adjust fit as they progress.
• Seamless Knitting: The piece is worked seamlessly on circular needles, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a unified, polished garment.
• Worked Flat: Despite using circular needles, the shawl is worked flat back and forth in rows rather than in the round.
• Short-Row Shaping: The pattern incorporates wrap-and-turn (w&t) techniques to create three-dimensional shaping and structure without increasing stitch counts dramatically. This technique involves slipping stitches and wrapping yarn to create turns that shape the fabric.

Stitches Used

The Blaire utilizes two primary stitch patterns:

• Stockinette Stitch (Stst): The main fabric is worked in stockinette stitch, which creates the smooth, classic knit appearance characteristic of refined shawls. Stockinette is formed by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side.
• Twisted Rib: An accent stitch pattern worked over an odd number of stitches, the Twisted Rib adds textural interest and structure. This stitch is created by working knits through the back loop (k1-tbl) alternated with purls, which creates a subtle twisted appearance. The pattern includes a set-up row worked on the wrong side, followed by alternating right-side and wrong-side rows that are repeated throughout the ribbed sections.

Materials

The Blaire pattern calls for Swans Island Ikat Collection yarn in fingering weight. The fiber content is 100% Organic Merino Wool, known for its softness, breathability, and elasticity. The pattern requires a total of 4 skeins: 3 skeins of Color A (Sea Salt, IFF209) and 1 skein of Color B (Onyx, IFF206). Each skein contains 100 grams and yields 525 yards of yarn, providing ample yardage for the finished dimensions.

Knitting needles required include US size 5 (3.75mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches or longer, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. Additional notions include stitch markers (including removable markers for pattern tracking), stitch holders for managing live stitches, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern. The gauge specifications are 6¾ stitches and 9¼ rows per 1 inch when measured in Stockinette Stitch, and 8 stitches and 9½ rows per 1 inch when measured in Twisted Rib. The pattern is offered in one size with finished dimensions of 38¾ inches in width and 20 inches in length from shoulder.