Winter Sunset In Rowan Kaffe Fassett Kidsilk Haze Knitting

Winter Sunset In Rowan Kaffe Fassett Kidsilk Haze Knitted Wrap

What Is Being Made

The Winter Sunset is a rectangular knitted wrap designed as a beginner-friendly shawl and wrap project. The completed wrap measures 48 centimeters (19 inches) wide and 167.5 centimeters (66 inches) long, making it a versatile accessory suitable for draping across the shoulders or wearing as a lightweight wrap.

Knitting Techniques Used

This wrap employs fundamental knitting techniques appropriate for beginner crafters. The project begins with a cast-on of 106 stitches using smaller needles, followed by garter stitch edging worked over 4 rows to create a stable, textured border. The main body transitions to stockinette stitch (alternating knit and purl rows), which creates a smooth, classic fabric. The pattern uses an extensive striping technique, with yarn colors changing frequently throughout the 124 rows of the pattern to create the sunset color progression. This color-work approach adds visual interest without requiring complex colorwork techniques like intarsia or Fair Isle.

Stitches and Stitch Abbreviations

The wrap utilizes basic knitting stitches:

• K (knit stitch) — the fundamental stitch used throughout
• P (purl stitch) — used in the main body rows to create stockinette stitch texture
• g st (garter stitch) — created by knitting every row, used for the edge borders
• st st (stockinette stitch) — the primary fabric created by alternating knit and purl rows

The pattern notation indicates edge stitches are maintained in garter stitch (K3 at each end) while the center stitches are worked in stockinette, creating a finished edge that lies flat and prevents curling.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Winter Sunset wrap is constructed using two complementary yarn types from Rowan, creating a sophisticated blend of textures and weights:

• Rowan Kidsilk Haze — a lightweight, delicate yarn in 25-gram balls, used in multiple colorways including Blancmange, Tangerine, Celery, Meringue, Lichen, Violet, and Petunia
• Rowan Felted Tweed — a heavier, more structured yarn in 50-gram balls, used in colors such as Delight, Apple, Daffodil, Marigold, Fuchsia, Regal, and Cucumber

The pattern requires two pairs of needles in different sizes to accommodate the yarn weight changes:

• 3¼mm (UK size 10 / US size 3) needles — used for the initial cast-on and garter stitch border rows
• 4mm (UK size 8 / US size 6) needles — used for the main body of the wrap worked in stockinette stitch

The tension specification of 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10 centimeters, measured over stockinette stitch using the 4mm needles, ensures the wrap achieves its intended finished dimensions and drape.

Color Palette and Striping Pattern

The Winter Sunset design features an intricate striping sequence that cycles through 14 distinct yarn colors (labeled A through N) across 124 rows. The color progression creates a sunset effect by combining warm tones (tangerine, daffodil, marigold, fuchsia) with cool tones (celery, lichen, violet, petunia) and neutral shades (blancmange, meringue, regal, cucumber). Stripe widths vary from single rows to multi-row sequences, creating visual rhythm and preventing monotony in the striped pattern.