Saturday, December 27, 2008

Falling Leaves Wrap

This rectangular wrap is just the thing for a cool summer evening or to take the chill off in an over-air-conditioned restaurant or office. The original was knit in a merino yarn which is soft and lightweight. It’s sproingy, wonderful to knit with and blocks beautifully. Gauge isn’t critical because the wrap can be blocked to your desired dimensions. The pattern can easily be changed to accommodate different yarn weights by adjusting the size of the knitting needles used and by working fewer or more pattern repeats horizontally and vertically. The 16 row pattern isn’t daunting; after you’ve completed a 16 row pattern, you should be able to visualize what the stitches on each row are "doing" and you can easily find your place should you lose your row count.

Approximately 24"wide x 66" long (60 cm x 170 cm) after blocking.

Yarn: 2 skeins Colinette Jitterbug (640 yards) (585.2 meters) or any merino wool that you love the feel of.

Needles: U.S. size 6 (4 mm.)

Cast on 83 sts. loosely.

Row 1 (RS): K1, k2tog, k3, *yo, k1, yo, k3, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k3; repeat from * to last 7 sts, yo, k1, yo, k3, sl 1, k1, psso, k1.

Row 2 and every alternate even numbered Row: Purl.

Row 3: K1, k2tog, k2, *yo, k3, yo, k2, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k2; repeat from * to last 8 sts, yo, k3, yo, k2, sl 1, k1, psso, k1.

Row 5: K1, k2tog, k1, *yo, k5, yo, k1, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k1; repeat from * to last 9 sts, yo, k5, yo, k1, sl 1, k1, psso, k1.

Row 7: K1, k2tog, yo, k7, *yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k7; repeat from * to last3 sts, yo, sl 1, k1, psso, k1.

Row 9: K2, yo, k3, *sl 1, k2tog, psso, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3; repeat from * to last 8 sts, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k3, yo, k2.

Row 11: K3, yo, k2, *sl 1, k2tog, psso, k2, yo, k3, yo, k2; repeat from * to last 8 sts, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k2, yo, k3.

Row 13: K4, yo, k1, *sl 1, k2tog, psso, k1, yo, k5, yo, k1; repeat from * to last 8 sts, sl 1, k2tog, psso, k1, yo, k4.

Row 15: K5, *yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k7; repeat from * to last 8 sts, yo, sl 1, k2tog, psso, yo, k5.

Row 16: Purl.

Repeat these 16 Rows until there's not enough yarn left to allow you to complete another 16 Row pattern, making sure to leave enough yarn for 36 strands each 10" long for the fringe. Bind off loosely.

To make fringe: Cut 36 strands of yarn, 10" (25 cm.) long. Attach these at the 9 points at each end of the shawl, by taking 2 strands, folding them in half and pulling the folded end through each point, using a crochet hook if desired. Secure the fringe, by pulling the 4 cut ends through the loop tightly.

To block, place wrap in lukewarm water until thoroughly soaked, being careful not to agitate the fibres. Place between two layers of thick towel and gently press to remove excess moisture. Stretch the wrap into the desired shape, pinning onto a flat surface and allow to dry. Weave in loose ends. Here’s a link to the Yarn Harlot’s technique. It will make the straight edges of the wrap easier to block and then all you have to do is pin the 9 points at each end.

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2005/08/23/walk_around_the_block.html

Abbreviations used:

sl1 - slip one stitch as if to knit

psso - pass slipped stitch over

12 comments:

Trudi said...

Love the look of your wrap. I have spent days deciding what pattern to use to make my Mum a shawl for her 60th Birthday in October. I think I have found the pattern. I have never knit lace or a shawl before, so having 9 months to make it in should be good.

Thankyou for writing such a lovely pattern.

Leslie said...

Hey there! I found this pattern on Ravelry and I think it's what I need to salvage the yarn from a KAL that's turned out to be too big for my two treasured skeins of merino. Thanks for posting and making it available.

-LeslieEileen on Rav

Unknown said...

Alternate method for the k3tog in the center of the diamonds: knit two together through back loop, pass new stitch onto the left needle, pass second stitch on left needle over first (old over new), pass new stitch back onto right needle. You have now a k3tog that slants the other way (right). I have alternated two methods in varying patterns to lovely effect.

Aussie Maria said...

Found this pattern via Ravelry and after scanning a few of the amazing projects, I think I just HAVE TO make it
Thank you so much for sharing it

Jane Winter said...

Terrific pattern. Just found it on Rav and I'm really looking forward to knitting it. Thanks for your generosity in posting a free pattern.

Jane Winter said...

Terrific pattern. Just found it on Rav and I'm really looking forward to knitting it. Thanks for your generosity in posting a free pattern.

frenchvelvet said...

This pattern is great! I am using Stroll Tonal by KnitPicks, which comes in approx 430yd hanks. I was thinking I'd use about 1.5 hanks before binding off, but I was wondering if you had any suggestions for a specific length before blocking. I would also love to know if you recommend doing the fringe before or after blocking.

frenchvelvet said...
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Unknown said...
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Eucalyptus44 said...

The Falling Leaves pattern is so pretty. I wonder if you've had a chance to look at the comments on the Ravelry page? Several of us have problems with the stitch count. My troubles usually begin at Row 7 and I wondered if there's an errata published anywhere? Many thanks for any help you can give.

viola said...

I love this pattern but I want to make it wider. Can you tell me how many stitches for the pattern repeat.
Many thanks

Unknown said...

I would also like to make this wrap but wider...Can you please email me how many stitches for the pattern to repeat. Thanks