Valley Yarns Sapodilla Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Sapodilla Knitted Lace Wrap

What is Being Made

The Sapodilla is an elegant, long wrap designed by Julie Turjoman that measures approximately 17 inches wide by 72 inches long. This versatile accessory features an allover diamond lace pattern suitable for year-round wear and is worked as a single, seamless piece in one color. The wrap combines luxurious fiber content with refined lace detailing, making it an ideal gift or personal project.

Knitting Techniques Used

This wrap employs several fundamental lace knitting techniques appropriate for an advanced beginner. The garment is worked flat in rows back and forth on straight needles rather than in the round, and is constructed bottom-up, meaning you begin at one short end and work toward the opposite end. The design is seamless, requiring no seaming or finishing joins. The lace technique is the primary decorative element, using strategic yarn overs and decreases to create openwork patterns throughout the fabric.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Sapodilla features a Diamond Lace stitch as its signature pattern element. This stitch pattern repeats over a multiple of 10 stitches plus 1, with a 20-row repeat cycle. The diamond lace field is created using fundamental lace stitches including:

• Yarn overs (yo) that create the openwork holes characteristic of lace
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) decreases that slant to the right
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) decreases that slant to the left
• Slip 2 stitches, knit 1, pass 2 slipped stitches over (s2kp2), a centered double decrease
• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches for structure
• Garter stitch borders, which consist of knit stitches on every row, creating a 1-inch textured edge on all four sides of the wrap

The combination of garter stitch borders with the delicate diamond lace field creates visual contrast and helps frame the lace pattern while providing stability at the edges.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Sapodilla is designed to be worked in Valley Yarns Alpaca/Silk, a premium blended yarn composed of 80% alpaca and 20% silk. One cone of this yarn, containing 8 ounces and 1,736 yards, provides sufficient yardage to complete the wrap. The pattern is written for the color French Blue, though the single-color construction allows for substitution with other Valley Yarns Alpaca/Silk colorways.

Needles required are US 6 (4mm) needles, or the size needed to achieve proper gauge. Additional tools include stitch markers to help track pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends after blocking.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when measured over the Diamond Lace stitch pattern after blocking. Achieving correct gauge is essential for obtaining the finished measurements of 17 inches wide by 72 inches long. Blocking the completed wrap is integral to the finishing process, as it sets the lace pattern and evens out the fabric.

Skill Level Appropriateness

Designated as an Advanced Beginner project, the Sapodilla serves as a suitable first lace knitting project for knitters who have mastered basic knitting techniques and are ready to explore lace construction. The straightforward bottom-up, worked-flat construction combined with a single, repeating lace pattern makes this wrap an excellent introduction to lace knitting without overwhelming complexity.