Twist Collective Osculation Wrap Knitting Pattern

Osculation Shawl by Katrine Birkenwasser

What Is Being Made

Osculation is a seamless, worked-flat shawl designed by Katrine Birkenwasser and published by Twist Collective. This triangular wrap measures 84 ½ inches in length and 18 inches in width, making it a generous accessory suitable for layering or draping. The shawl's distinctive construction and asymmetric shape create visual interest while remaining accessible to intermediate knitters.

Construction and Design Structure

Osculation is constructed in three distinct sections, each with its own shaping logic. The first section begins with a kite shape, featuring increases concentrated in the middle while decreases occur on both edges, creating a symmetrical widening and narrowing effect. The second section uses half of the stitches from the first section to form an asymmetric triangle, with decreases on one side and increases on the other, producing an off-balance triangular form. The final third section is created by picking up stitches along the side of the second section and joining them with the remaining stitches from the first section, allowing the shaper of the earlier sections to continue and evolve throughout the piece.

Techniques Used

This shawl employs several key knitting techniques that add depth and visual appeal:

• Seamless construction: The shawl is worked as one continuous piece without seaming, creating a polished finished product.
• Stripes: Two-color striping is worked throughout, with the main color (MC) alternating with contrast colors (CC) in a consistent pattern of two rows MC followed by two rows CC. Yarn is carried up the side of the piece rather than broken between color changes, maintaining continuity and reducing ends to weave in.
• Worked flat: Despite using a circular needle, the shawl is worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round, allowing for the asymmetric shaping and directional construction.
• Shaping stitches: The pattern employs increases (yarn overs, kfb) and decreases (k2tog, ssk) to create the geometric forms that define each section.
• Wrap and turn (w&t): Short rows are used selectively to add dimension and control shaping in specific areas.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches executed with precision:

• Knit stitch (k): The primary stitch forming the fabric base.
• Yarn over (yo): Creates decorative eyelets and contributes to increases for shaping.
• Knit front and back (kfb): An increase stitch that adds stitches while maintaining fabric integrity.
• Knit two together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used for shaping edges.
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease that provides balanced shaping on opposite edges.
• Garter stitch: The primary stitch pattern throughout, created by knitting every row, producing a textured, reversible fabric.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Osculation is designed to showcase the qualities of Lana Grossa Ecopuno, a blend of natural fibers combining comfort with sustainability. The yarn composition includes 72% cotton, 17% merino wool, and 11% alpaca, creating a fabric with breathability, elasticity, and subtle sheen. Each ball contains 235 yards (215 meters) and weighs 1 ¾ ounces (50 grams).

The colorway uses four distinct shades of Lana Grossa Ecopuno:

• 3 balls in #15 Anthracite (main color)
• 1 ball in #13 Light Blue (contrast color 1)
• 1 ball in #3 Yellow Green (contrast color 2)
• 1 ball in #14 Light Gray (contrast color 3)

This yarn selection allows for rich color play across the three sections, with each section featuring a different contrast color paired with the consistent anthracite main color.

Tools and Notions

The pattern requires a US Size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle measuring 29 inches (74 cm) in length, worked flat to accommodate the shawl's width. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and sh