Valley Yarns Reservoir Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Reservoir Knit Wrap

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Reservoir is an elegant knit wrap designed by Julie Turjoman. This intermediate-level project creates a romantic rectangular shawl measuring 18 inches wide by 64 inches long. The wrap features a distinctive design combining a leafy lace border with a textured field, creating a sophisticated accessory suitable for layering or draping.

Construction Method

The Reservoir is worked sideways in one continuous piece using a flat knitting technique. The wrap begins with the lace border, which is worked back and forth in rows using a repeating pattern. Once the border is complete, the field is then worked upward from the top edge of the border. This sideways construction approach allows the scalloped lace edge to form the elegant perimeter of the finished wrap.

Lace Techniques and Stitches

The border showcases a romantic leafy lace pattern worked over a multiple of 20 stitches plus 7 edge stitches, repeating over 32 rows. The lace motif incorporates classic lace-making techniques including:

• Yarn overs (yo) to create the openwork characteristic of lace
• Decreases using knit two together (k2tog) and slip, slip, knit (ssk) to balance the yarn overs
• Garter stitch edges worked in knit stitches for a finished frame around the lace pattern

The lace border is offset by a simple yet textured field worked in reverse stockinette stitch combined with knit stitches worked through the back loop. This combination creates extra stitch definition and visual interest in the main body of the wrap.

Yarn and Fiber Content

The Reservoir is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Leverett, a premium blend of 70% Pima cotton and 30% linen. This fiber combination offers excellent stitch definition to showcase the lace motif beautifully. The cotton-linen blend has the desirable quality of becoming softer with wear and washing, making this wrap increasingly comfortable over time. The project requires 7 hanks of yarn, with each hank containing 50 grams and 109 yards. The sample shown is worked in colorway 008 Sky.

Needles and Gauge

The Reservoir is worked on US size 5 (3.75 mm) circular needles in a 40-inch length. Circular needles are used for flat knitting, allowing the wrap to be worked back and forth in rows while accommodating the large stitch count. Achieving proper gauge is important for this project: the lace stitch pattern should measure 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches when blocked, while the stockinette stitch field should measure 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches when blocked.

Additional Materials

Beyond yarn and needles, the Reservoir pattern calls for stitch markers to help track placement within the repeating lace pattern—markers are placed between each 20-stitch repeat to maintain pattern accuracy. A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in ends upon completion.

Skill Level and Pattern Notes

Rated as an intermediate-level project, the Reservoir is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle lace work. The pattern begins with a Long-Tail cast-on of 327 stitches, establishing the width of the finished wrap. The seamless, flat construction means there are no seams to finish, and the one-piece design simplifies assembly. The repeating lace pattern and clear stitch marker placement help knitters maintain their place throughout the border section.