Universal Yarn Swan Wrap Knitting Pattern

Universal Yarn Swan Shawl and Wrap

What is Being Made

The Swan is a sophisticated shawl and wrap design created by Jennifer Sadler, featured in the Universal Yarn eBook Winter 2019. This elegant stole measures 32 inches wide by 94 inches long, making it an oversized wrap suitable for both casual and formal occasions. The design is versatile enough to pair with jeans for everyday wear or to complement dressier outfits for special events such as attending the ballet.

Techniques Used

The Swan stole is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create visual interest and structural elegance:

• Point-to-point construction: The shawl begins with a single stitch and increases gradually to the full width, creating the characteristic triangular or pointed shape. After reaching full width, the body is worked even (without shaping), and then decreases symmetrically back down to a single stitch, completing the point-to-point design.
• Seamless knitting: The entire project is worked as one continuous piece without seams, allowing for smooth, uninterrupted fabric.
• Flat knitting: The stole is worked flat on circular needles rather than in the round, making it accessible to knitters of all experience levels.
• Striping: Color changes are incorporated throughout the design, with yarn broken at each color change to create distinct stripes. This technique adds visual dimension while keeping the construction straightforward.

Stitches Used

The Swan stole employs a limited but effective stitch repertoire:

• Garter stitch: The primary stitch throughout the project, created by knitting every row. Garter stitch provides a textured, cushioned fabric with excellent drape while remaining simple enough for knitters to maintain consistent tension.
• Lattice lace: An easy-to-memorize lace insert that breaks up the garter stitch sections and adds an airy, delicate element to the design. The lattice lace is worked using yarn overs and knit two-together decreases in a repeating pattern.
• Decreases: Knit two-together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) decreases are used both in the lace pattern and for shaping the point-to-point construction.
• Yarn overs: Used in the lattice lace sections to create openwork and maintain stitch count through the lace pattern.

Materials

The Swan stole is designed to showcase the qualities of Universal Yarn Odette, a premium blend yarn composed of 61% superwash merino, 22% nylon, and 17% alpaca. This fiber combination creates a fabric that is light and airy while remaining incredibly warm, without adding excessive bulk. The yarn comes in 50-gram skeins with 241 yards per skein.

Yarn requirements: The pattern calls for 7 skeins of Odette in colorway 101 Bordeaux (main color) and 2 skeins in colorway 110 Gargoyle (contrast color), providing ample yardage for the full 94-inch length.

Needles and notions: The project requires US Size 7 (4.5 mm) circular needles measuring 24 inches or longer to accommodate the large number of stitches required during the widest sections of the stole. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends. To streamline finishing, the pattern recommends weaving in yarn ends as you work rather than waiting until completion.

Gauge: The pattern is worked at a gauge of 20 stitches by 40 rows over 4 inches in garter stitch. Checking gauge before beginning ensures the finished stole will meet the intended dimensions and drape beautifully.

Pattern Characteristics

The Swan stole combines simplicity with sophistication. The straightforward garter stitch base keeps the project accessible and meditative to knit, while the stripe work and lattice lace inserts provide visual interest and prevent monotony. The point-to-point construction method creates a graceful silhouette with excellent shaping, and the generous finished dimensions make this wrap suitable for layering over various outfits throughout the seasons.