Wrap Knitting Pattern

Brushed Suri Wrap by Blue Sky Fibers

What Is Being Made

The Brushed Suri Wrap is a reversible knit shawl designed by Carolyn Vance that transforms into a versatile accessory suitable for layering and draping. This wrap features a sophisticated geometric lace pattern and requires no seaming, making it an elegant finished piece. The wrap measures 15 inches wide by 46 inches long before blocking, expanding to 19 inches wide by 70 inches long after blocking, providing substantial coverage and drape.

Techniques and Construction

This intermediate-level knitting project employs a three-panel construction method that creates a reversible design. The wrap is built by knitting a center panel with two side panels that are worked simultaneously, then joined together without seaming. The geometric lace pattern is worked from charts, and the reversible nature of the design means both sides are equally attractive, eliminating the need to hide a "wrong" side.

Key techniques include working from stitch charts to create the lace pattern, managing multiple panels on stitch holders, and strategic yarn joining between panels. The construction begins with a garter stitch border, transitions into the charted lace pattern for the main body, and concludes with another garter stitch section before binding off. Blocking is essential to achieve the final measurements and to set the lace pattern properly.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k): The foundation stitch used throughout the garter stitch borders and lace pattern
• Purl (p): Used in the lace pattern as indicated by the stitch charts
• Yarn Over (yo): Creates the openwork and decorative holes characteristic of the geometric lace pattern
• Knit Two Together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to shape the wrap edges and create lace pattern decreases
• Slip, Slip, Knit (ssk): A left-leaning decrease worked by slipping 2 stitches knitwise one at a time, then inserting the left needle in front of the slipped stitches and knitting them together, used for balanced decreases in the lace pattern

Materials and Tools

The wrap is knit using Blue Sky Fibers Brushed Suri yarn, which is renowned for its exquisite softness. The pattern offers flexibility in yarn choice: knitters may use 3 hanks of Blue Sky Brushed Suri (50 grams/142 yards per hank) or alternatively 2 hanks of Blue Sky Royal (100 grams/288 yards per hank). The photo example shown is worked in Whipped Cream #900, a neutral colorway that showcases the lace pattern beautifully.

Needles required are Size 9 (5.5mm) needles, or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. Additional tools include stitch holders for managing the three panels during construction and a tapestry needle for weaving in loose ends after completion.

Gauge

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this project. In the center lace pattern, the gauge is 17 stitches and 20 rows over 4 inches before blocking. After blocking, the gauge adjusts to 13 stitches and 16 rows over 4 inches, demonstrating the significant impact blocking has on the finished dimensions and drape of this lace wrap.