Twist Collective Yojimbo Wrap Knitting Pattern

Twist Collective Yojimbo Knit Shawl

What Is Being Made

Yojimbo is a sophisticated knit shawl worked as an elongated triangle with finished measurements of 65 inches (165 cm) wingspan and 28 inches (71 cm) depth. This is a side-to-side construction piece that combines decorative patterning with functional shawl proportions, making it suitable for both everyday wear and special occasions.

Construction and Techniques

The shawl is worked flat in a seamless construction from side to side, with strategic increases along one edge that gradually form the triangular shape. The design incorporates intarsia colorwork along the border edge to create clean color transitions without holes. The pattern uses slip-stitch and mosaic stitch techniques presented in chart form, which allows for complex visual patterning while maintaining relative simplicity in execution.

To achieve professional results with the intarsia border, the pattern requires careful yarn management: new colors must be picked up from below the old color with yarns intertwined to prevent holes at color changes. The old color yarn should be tugged gently to ensure consistent stitch size on either side of the color transition. Twisting the main color and contrast color more than once should be avoided to maintain fabric integrity.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The foundation of Yojimbo is stockinette stitch, which provides a smooth, classic base for the decorative elements. The slip-stitch and mosaic chart patterns are worked with single-color rows—when working rows using the main color, both the border and chart rows are completed in the main color. On contrast color rows, the border remains in main color while the chart section switches to the contrast color. All stitches in the slip-stitch patterns are slipped purlwise with yarn held in back on right-side rows and yarn held in front on wrong-side rows, creating the characteristic texture of mosaic knitting.

The beginning triangle section uses purl-front-back increases (pfb) to establish the growing edge, with knit rows worked flat between increase rows to build the foundation before transitioning to the charted pattern sections.

Materials and Gauge

The suggested yarn is Valley Yarns Charlemont, a premium blend consisting of 60% Fine Superwash Merino, 20% Mulberry Silk, and 20% Polyamide. Each skein provides 439 yards (401.5 meters) and weighs 3½ ounces (100 grams). The project requires 2 skeins each in #12 Navy Blue (main color) and Natural (contrast color), allowing for approximately 878 yards of yardage to complete the shawl.

The recommended needle is a Size 2 US (2.75 mm) circular needle measuring 24 inches (60 cm) in length. Needle size should be adjusted if necessary to achieve the correct gauge of 31 stitches and 42 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Checking gauge before beginning is essential to ensure accurate sizing and proper drape of the finished shawl.

A tapestry needle is required for finishing and weaving in yarn ends.