Valley Yarns Enfilade Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Enfilade Lace Wrap

What Is Being Made

The Enfilade is an all-over rectangular lace wrap designed by Julie Turjoman, measuring approximately 11 inches wide by 73 inches long. This giftable project combines elegance with wearability, making it suitable for layering or draping as a lightweight accessory. The wrap features an intricate lace pattern worked throughout, creating an openwork design that showcases the delicate qualities of the yarn.

Craft and Skill Level

This is an intermediate-level knitting project, suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to work with lace patterns. The Enfilade requires attention to stitch detail and pattern reading, but the straightforward construction makes it an accessible introduction to lace knitting for experienced crafters.

Techniques Used

• Bottom-up construction: The wrap is worked from the cast-on edge upward, allowing you to try on and measure progress as you knit
• Seamless, worked flat: The entire piece is created on straight needles without seaming, maintaining clean edges and consistent tension throughout
• Lace knitting: The all-over lace pattern uses yarn overs and decreases to create decorative openwork, requiring careful attention to stitch counts and pattern repeats

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Enfilade employs a range of fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches to achieve its lace effect:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P): Basic stitches that form the foundation of the pattern
• Through-the-back-loop (tbl): Twisted stitches that add texture and definition to the lace motifs
• Yarn overs (yo): Create the characteristic holes and openwork of lace knitting
• Decreases for shaping: Knit 2 together (k2tog), slip-slip-knit (ssk), slip 2 knit 1 pass slipped stitches over (s2kp), knit 3 together (k3tog), and purl decreases (p2tog, p3tog) work in concert with yarn overs to maintain stitch count while creating the lace design
• Stitch markers: Used to track pattern repeats and maintain alignment across rows

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Enfilade is designed to showcase the luxurious qualities of premium yarn:

• Yarn: 1 hank of Valley Yarns Hatfield, composed of 100% baby alpaca, providing a soft, next-to-the-skin feel ideal for a wrap worn close to the body. The single hank contains 437 yards, sufficient for the entire project
• Weight and yardage: 50 grams per hank
• Color: Rouge Pink
• Needles: US 5 (3.75mm) straight needles, or the size required to achieve proper gauge
• Notions: Stitch markers to track lace pattern repeats, and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when working the lace pattern on US 5 (3.75mm) needles, measured after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions and ensuring the lace pattern displays as intended. The wrap is blocked to open up and even out the lace motifs, enhancing drape and definition.