Thursday, June 9, 2016

Primavera Wrap

Primavera Wrap
Primavera Wrap

When I first bought this yarn, I definitely considered it a bit of a score; not only was it a fancy color gradient with size and texture fluctuations to boot, but it was also HALF OFF, price-wise. What can I say - I'm my mother's daughter, and can't pass up a good deal. But then, when I actually started trying to design a pattern for the stuff, it took everything I had not to give up and crawl into the bottom of a bottle. Why? Because, my friends, fancy yarns like these do not take many (probably most) stitch patterns well, and I was also hell-bent on making something with some interest value that wasn't a cowl or a scarf. And while I'll spare you the full details of my tribulations, I will say that I think I came out victorious in the end. This pattern, after all, is well-suited to a fancy fiber, and also grows in a triangle shape so that you will still make something interesting and style-able even if you're not working with a huge amount of yarn.

Yarn: Lang Yarns Ella (38% Cotton, 30% Polyester, 26% Viscose, 6% Nylon; 174 yards [160 meters]/50 grams); #0048 Altrosa - two skeins

Primavera Wrap
A better look at the pattern.
Needles: Straight needles in size US 7

Notions: Tapestry needle

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

Okay, so let's make a wrappy thing! And with that goal in mind, first cast on 3 stitches loosely. Then work 5 rows in garter stitch, which will make a little tab from which you'll continue. So, without turning your work, continue as follows:

Tab Row: yo, and then pick up 3 stitches along the edge of your garter stitch tab. At this point, you should have 7 stitches on your needle (3 from the end of the tab; one yo, and 3 that you've picked up along the edge of the tab) (oh and if I'm confusing you, just watch the video, below)


Complete the tab row and then we'll begin our set-up rows, as follows:

Set-up Row 1 (wrong side): p4, k3

Set-up Row 2: k4, yo, ssk, k1

Set-up Row 3: k1, yo, ssk, k4

Set-up Row 4: k3, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1 (8 stitches)

Set-up Row 5: k1, yo, ssk, k5

Set-up Row 6: k5, yo, ssk, k1

Set-up Row 7: same as set-up row 5

Set-up Row 8: k3, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k1 (9 stitches)

Set-up Row 9: k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k4

Set-up Row 10: k4, (yo, ssk) twice, k1

Set-up Row 11: same as set-up row 9

Set-up Row 12: k3, yo, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1 (10 stitches)

Set-up Row 13: k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, p1, k3

Set-up Row 14: k5, (yo, ssk) twice, k1

Set-up Row 15: same as set-up row 13

Set-up Row 16: k3, yo, k2, (yo, ssk) twice, k1 (11 stitches)

Set-up Row 17: k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, p2, k3

Set-up Row 18: k6, (yo, ssk) twice, k1

Set-up Row 19: same as set-up row 17

Knit these 19 set-up rows. Then we'll move straight to our main pattern, as follows. And yes, I know the thing looks like a beast, but it's not - it just takes this long to write out directions for an 8-stitch pattern during which you add 1 stitch every 4 rows. I promise you'll get the hang of it quickly! Anyway, continue to work like so:

Row 1 (right side): k3, yo, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row (+1 stitch)

Row 2: * k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, p2; rep from * until you have 4 stitches left in row; end k4

Row 3: k4, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row

Row 4: same as row 2

Row 5: k3, yo, k1, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row (+1 stitch)

Row 6: * k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, p2; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in row; end k5

Row 7: k5, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row

Row 8: same as row 6

Row 9: k3, yo, k2, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row (+1 stitch)

Row 10: * k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, p2; rep from * until you have 6 stitches left in row; end k6

Row 11: k6, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row

Row 12: same as row 10

Row 13: k3, yo, k3, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row (+1 stitch)

Row 14: * k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, p2; rep from * until you have 7 stitches left in row; end k1, yo, ssk, k4

Row 15: k4, yo, ssk, k1, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row 

Row 16: same as row 14 

Row 17: k3, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row (+1 stitch)

Row 18: * k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, p2; rep from * until you have 8 stitches left in row; end k1, yo, ssk, k5

Row 19: k5, yo, ssk, k1, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row

Row 20: same as row 18

Row 21: k3, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k1, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row (+1 stitch)

Row 22: * k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, p2; rep from * until you have 9 stitches left in row; end k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k4

Row 23: k4, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row

Row 24: same as row 22 

Row 25: k3, yo, k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row (+1 stitch)

Row 26: * k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, p2; rep from * until you have 10 stitches left in row; end k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, p1, k3

Row 27: k5, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row

Row 28: same as row 26

Row 29: k3, yo, k2, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row (+1 stitch)

Row 30: * k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, p2; rep from * until you have 11 stitches left in row; end k1, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, p2, k3

Row 31: k6, (yo, ssk) twice, k1, * k3, (yo, ssk) twice, k1; rep from * until end of row

Row 32: same as row 30 

Knit rows 1 - 32 until piece measures desired length or you're almost out of yarn, and you've just finished a right-side row (for reference, mine measures about 52" along the garter stitch edge and 22" wide at the base of the triangle after blocking). Bind off, knitting the stitches you would have knit in pattern and purling those you would have purled. Tuck in ends and block ferociously (or not, whatever - this pattern doesn't much curl, but you might like to stretch your stuff out, especially if you didn't start with much yarn).

Primavera Wrap

Primavera Wrap

Primavera Wrap

Primavera Wrap

Primavera Wrap

Primavera Wrap

34 comments:

  1. Hi Gretchen,
    It amazes me how you come up with these beautiful knit creations. I made it my goal to knit all of your hats, but then your throw in a beautiful scarf! what is a knitter to do??? Love the purple and the violet hues.
    As always,
    Ramona

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    1. Thanks Ramona!

      I really liked this yarn when I saw it and I tried like four designs before I came up with one that actually suited it. This pattern is very adaptable, though, and would work with different weight yarns as well as shorter or longer lengths. I'm excited to start to see some projects!!! :)

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  2. Love the purple and violet colors and everything about this wrap. Must add to my must knit list which seems to be growing longer and longer. Thank you very much.

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    1. I'm so glad to hear that you like the design! And I really liked the yarn too, even though I struggled to use it. I was just happy when I finally came up with something that suited the fanciness of this fiber and drapes nicely too! :)

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  3. Do you think this pattern would work with 99% cotton 1% polyester yarn?

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  4. I just bought a yarn that's almost exactly these colors, and I don't want to just make a scarf either. But I'm sort of a beginner. I made a lace scarf with a lot of yarnovers, do you think it's too hard for me? Or do you have an easier version?

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    1. Hi Jean! I realize that this pattern looks a bit daunting, but the stitch pattern itself is quite easy - it's an 8 stitch pattern that is repeated every two rows. The difficultly is just that you're adding stitches every four rows, so until you've added a full 8 stitches (which takes 32 rows, of course!), you're working with less than a full pattern repeat. Long story short, if you've already tangled with counting lace, I don't think this pattern is too difficult! And you will be working on the narrow end while you're getting the hang of it, which will make counting easier!!! :)

      Anyway, let me know if you have any more questions!

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  5. Hey Gretchen,
    I started work on this project a couple days ago, and as I've been working, I'm noticing that my piece isn't increasing as quickly and has a sharper end than in your pictures. Am I doing something wrong?
    Thanks a million!

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    Replies
    1. Hi! Sorry for the super delayed response; somehow this comment got caught up in my spam folder (so confusing!). Anyway, I have no idea if you're doing anything wrong or not; it may just be that your piece looks narrower before blocking, or that your yarn is a slightly different gauge. If you're still struggling with this, though, feel free to email me a picture at ballstothewallsknits@gmail.com and I'll see if I can make a diagnosis! :) And again, I'm sorry for the delay!!!

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  6. Just love this wrap and the pattern. Thank you for giving it to us FREE. You're so generous. This is going to be one of my new projects as soon as I finish 3 other projects... I know. But I like having this project to look forward to! Thank you!

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    1. I definitely know how it is - I have quite a few projects on my needles as well! :) Glad to hear you like the pattern, though, and let me know if you have any questions!

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  7. Hi there!

    First off - I looked up your yarn, it looks beautiful. :) That being said, I think you really only have one choice if you want to work this pattern with this fiber - to use the same size needles I did (which are of course much bigger than gauge needles for a fingering weight). If you try to knit this wrap in gauge you definitely won't have enough yarn, though. Long story short, I think your best bet is to swatch in large needles (the US 7 or something close) and see if you like the way the pattern looks in that size. If you like it, go ahead! And if you don't (sadly!) I think you'll need to find another pattern for your yarn or get more of it.

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  8. Just got some beautiful hand-dyed Superwash Merino. The colorway is Dawn, think pinks, blue, violet, with a splash of yellow. Can’t wait to cast on! My pattern search is complete!

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    1. That sounds absolutely beautiful! Let me know if you have any questions!!! :)

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  9. Thank you for sharing this beautiful pattern. I have wool I bought in Scotland in similar hues, however it is a heavier yarn, hand dyed. Do you think it could still work in this pattern. It is a fine 8ply.

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  10. Yes, I think this pattern is easily adaptable to different sized yarns! Just use the recommended needle size, or a little larger (since you'll want it drapey and not tight) and I think you'll be fine! :)

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  11. What is the shawl shape? Is it a triangle. I read the directions and I cannot visualize without knitting it. Thanks

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  12. Yes, it starts in the narrow corner and then grows progressively wider and longer as you work! :)

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  13. I'm new to knitting. What does (+1 stitch) mean? I can't wait to make this beautiful wrap!

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    Replies
    1. Hi there!

      First off, I apologize for my delayed response - somehow I didn't get the email about your comment! Anyway, in general, any time you see notes at the end of a line that say something like +1, +2, etc, or -1, -5, whatever, it means that your stitch count should have changed by that number when you reach the end of the row. So here, the pattern is always increasing, and the +1 lets you know that you've added one stitch by the time you reach the end of the pattern row. :)

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  14. There is no abbreviation guide. What is "ssk", please?

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    1. Hi there! It's slip, slip, knit, a left-leaning two-to-one decrease. Here's a link to more info:

      https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/slip-knit-ssk-2116155

      Also, you can find any other abbreviations in my glossary page, here: https://www.ballstothewallsknits.com/p/glossary-of-knitting-terms.html

      Let me know if you have any other questions! :)

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    2. Thank you so much! Gorgeous pattern.

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  15. There is no abbreviation guide. What is "ssk", please? Gorgeous pattern, btw, I can't wait to knit it!

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    1. Hi! An ssk is just a slip slip knit... Here's a link for more info!

      https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/slip-knit-ssk-2116155

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  16. What attracted me to this pattern is the casual way you write it! The wrappy thing and the beastly thing is so funny. Once I finished the fourth row in the pattern I did get it! It is beautiful and very elegant. I made it with silky thread and a size 6mm needle and am very pleased.

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  17. Hello, I am hoping you can save me please. I am very much enjoying this pattern and I have about 2.5 feet and 56 stitches and I love it!! BUT I have made a mistake. Please help! 56 stitches means I should be somewhere between row 17 and 21 I think but my stitches don't match up. I just finished K3, (ssk, yo)x2, k, p2, k, (ssk, yo)x2, k, p2, k ... k, p2, k, (ssk, yo)x2, k. it looks fine but I do not know where to jump back in. Help please.

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  18. Hi Gretchen, I love this pattern, but I am a little confused. On the set up row 2 there is 7 st from row 1. Then row 2 states k4 yo ssk k1 which with the yo amounts to 9 st. Row 3 should have 8. Does the yo make another stitch or am I not doing it right? Thank you for your help.

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    1. Hi there! Row 2 only has seven stitches as well - k4, like you said, then the yo counts as a stitch, then the ssk is a 2-to-1 decrease, so it only counts as one stitch, and then the final k1. Hope that helps! :)

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  19. Hello is this anyway similiar to the primavera scarf which no longer exists?? thanks

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    1. Hi! I don't know anything about a primavera scarf... This is the only thing of a similar name I've ever had on the site!

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