Valley Yarns Fern Leaf Wrap Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Fern Leaf Wrap

What Is Being Made

The Fern Leaf Wrap is a rectangular knitted shawl designed by Kirsten Hipsky, measuring approximately 20 inches by 64 inches after blocking. This piece combines organic lace patterns with the natural beauty of hand-dyed yarn to create a refined yet approachable garment suitable for advanced beginners seeking to develop their lace knitting skills.

Techniques Used

This shawl is worked using several key knitting techniques that define its construction and visual appeal:

• Lace knitting: The pattern features delicate openwork created through strategic yarn overs and decreases that form fern-like motifs throughout the fabric
• Seamless construction: The wrap is knitted as one continuous piece without seaming, creating a unified, flowing garment
• Worked flat: Rather than working in the round, this shawl is worked back and forth on straight needles, making it accessible for knitters who prefer flat construction methods
• Blocking: Rigorous blocking is essential to set the lace pattern and achieve the final dimensions, with blocking adding approximately 10 percent to the length

Stitches Used

The Fern Leaf Wrap employs fundamental knitting stitches combined in a repeating pattern to create its distinctive appearance:

• Knit (k): The basic stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• Purl (p): Used on wrong-side rows to create the reverse stockinette borders
• Yarn over (yo): Creates the openwork eyelets characteristic of lace knitting
• Knit 2 together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease that balances yarn overs
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease that pairs with yarn overs to form the lace motifs

These stitches are worked in an 8-row repeating pattern that creates the fern leaf design, with stockinette stitch forming the base fabric between lace elements.

Materials

The Fern Leaf Wrap requires specific materials to achieve its intended appearance and drape:

• Yarn: Four skeins of Valley Yarns BFL Worsted Hand-Dyed in the colorway Verdure. This yarn is 100 percent Blue Faced Leicester wool, offering softness and elasticity ideal for lace work. Each skein provides 100 grams and 216 yards of yardage, totaling approximately 864 yards for the completed project
• Needles: US size 7 (4.50mm) needles or the size required to achieve proper gauge. Straight needles are used for the flat, back-and-forth construction
• Gauge: Approximately 5 stitches equal 1 inch in stockinette stitch, which is essential to verify before beginning to ensure the finished dimensions match the pattern specifications

Pattern Overview

The pattern begins with casting on 96 stitches and knitting 2 foundation rows. The main lace pattern is then established over 8 rows, with rows 2, 4, 6, and 8 (wrong-side rows) worked consistently as knit 2, purl to last 2 stitches, knit 2. Rows 1, 3, 5, and 7 feature the lace motifs with varying arrangements of yarn overs and decreases that create the fern leaf effect. This 8-row repeat is continued for approximately 56 inches or about 10 percent short of the desired finished length, accounting for the growth that occurs during blocking. The pattern concludes with 2 knit rows and a bind-off edge, followed by rigorous blocking to set the lace and achieve the final 20-by-64-inch dimensions.