Swans Island Fireside Wrap Knitting Pattern

Swans Island Fireside Wrap

What is Being Made

The Fireside Wrap is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed as a women's wrap featuring a sophisticated cable and texture pattern. This one-size wrap measures 19 inches in width and 70 inches in length, making it a generous rectangular wrap suitable for draping around the shoulders or wearing as a versatile accessory. The design was created by Leah Coccari-Swift and is presented as Pattern No. 175.

Techniques Used

This wrap is constructed using seamless, flat knitting techniques, meaning the piece is worked in one continuous section from cast-on to bind-off without requiring seaming. The pattern employs cable work as a primary design element, incorporating multiple distinct cable panels throughout the wrap. The cables are created using a cable needle to manipulate stitches and create the characteristic twisted, rope-like texture. The wrap also features welted edging sections that frame the cable patterns, created by alternating reverse stockinette stitch and stockinette stitch in six-row intervals to produce a subtle textured border.

Stitches Used

The pattern combines several essential knitting stitches to create visual interest and structure:

• Stockinette Stitch (Stst): The foundational stitch worked by knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side, creating a smooth, classic fabric base
• Reverse Stockinette Stitch (Rev Stst): The inverse of stockinette, worked by purling on the right side and knitting on the wrong side, used in the welted edging sections to create textural contrast
• Seed Stitch: A textured stitch created by alternating knit and purl stitches in each row, worked in five-stitch sections between the cable panels to add visual separation and dimension
• Cable Stitches: Three distinct cable patterns are used throughout the wrap. Cable A and Cable C each span 12 stitches across 24 rows, while Cable B spans 8 stitches across 8 rows. These cables incorporate C4B (cable 4 back), C4F (cable 4 front), and C12B (cable 12 back) abbreviations, representing different cable cross techniques that create varied textural effects

Materials and Tools

The Fireside Wrap requires six skeins of Swans Island Natural Colors Collection yarn in 100% organic Merino wool, worsted weight. Each skein contains 100 grams and 250 yards, providing ample yardage for the complete 70-inch length. The yarn shown in the pattern is Natural YW211. Knitting is worked on US size 9 (5.5mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches or longer, though needle size may be adjusted as needed to achieve the correct gauge. Additional tools required include stitch markers for tracking pattern sections, a cable needle for executing the cable stitches, and a yarn needle for weaving in finished ends.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 5 stitches and 6¾ rows per 1 inch when worked in stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the desired finished dimensions. The wrap concludes with welted edging that mirrors the beginning, followed by a loose purlwise bind-off to maintain elasticity at the edges. All yarn ends are woven in during finishing to complete the wrap.