Carousel Wrap

Carousel Wrap by Yarn & Blarney

What is Being Made

The Carousel Wrap is a crocheted shawl designed by Sarah McFall of Yarn & Blarney. This is a rectangular wrap measuring approximately 17 x 48 inches, making it a versatile accessory suitable for draping over the shoulders or wearing as a lightweight wrap. The finished piece features an open, airy fabric construction that allows for easy draping and comfortable wear.

Craft and Techniques

This project uses crochet as the primary construction method and is classified as a beginner-level design, making it accessible to those new to crochet. The pattern is written using UK crochet terminology, which differs from US terminology—notably, UK trebles are equivalent to US double crochets. The wrap features an open fabric structure created through strategic stitch placement, which contributes to its stretchy, flexible nature. The open construction is intentional and eliminates the need for buttonholes, as the fabric naturally accommodates the three decorative buttons included in the design.

Stitches Used

The Carousel Wrap employs a limited stitch palette, keeping the pattern simple and beginner-friendly:

• Chain stitch (ch): Used to create the foundation and spacing throughout the pattern
• Treble stitch (tr): The primary structural stitch, worked in UK terminology (equivalent to US double crochet). The first and last rows are made entirely of trebles for a solid edge
• V stitch (v st): The signature stitch of this wrap, created by working [1 tr, 1 ch, 1 tr] to form a V-shaped motif. Each row contains 13 v stitches, except for the foundation and final rows

Materials and Tools

The Carousel Wrap is designed to be worked with chunky weight yarn. The pattern calls for King Cole Carousel Cake in the colorway Twister, which provides 200g and 316 meters (346 yards) of yarn in a single skein. A 9mm crochet hook is required to work with this yarn weight. The pattern also includes three 1-inch diameter buttons for decorative finishing, along with a needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Yarn Flexibility and Customization

The pattern notes that any chunky weight yarn with similar yardage to the King Cole Carousel Cake can be substituted as an alternative. This flexibility allows crafters to choose from various chunky yarn options while maintaining comparable results. Since tension is not critical for this project—the wrap's stretchy nature accommodates minor variations—beginners need not worry excessively about achieving exact gauge. The wrap can be customized in length by continuing additional rows as desired; approximately 5 grams of yarn should be reserved for the final row to ensure sufficient material for completion.

Finished Specifications

The completed Carousel Wrap measures approximately 17 inches wide by 48 inches long. The working tension is 5 rows by 4 v stitches over a 4 x 4 inch swatch, though as noted, exact tension matching is not critical to the success of this project. The finished fabric is notably stretchy and open, contributing to its comfortable, flexible drape.