Lafant Wrap

Lafant Wrap by Lesley Jones

What is Being Made

The Lafant Wrap is an elegant knitted shawl designed by Lesley Jones, featuring decorative cables and lace elements. This versatile wrap measures 70 inches in width and 12 inches in length, making it a generous accessory suitable for draping and layering. The design is constructed from the bottom up using short row shaping techniques, which creates elegant contours and depth in the finished piece. The wrap is finished with a decorative picot cast off edge, adding a refined detail to the perimeter.

Construction Techniques

The Lafant Wrap employs several advanced knitting techniques to achieve its sophisticated appearance. Short row shaping is used throughout the construction to create dimensional shaping while building the wrap from the bottom edge upward. This technique involves turning the work before completing a full row, which allows the knitter to add depth and curvature to the fabric. The picot cast off creates a decorative finished edge with small loops, adding a delicate, ornamental border to the completed wrap.

The pattern incorporates cable work and lace stitches as primary decorative elements. These techniques are interspersed throughout the design to create visual interest and texture variation. The combination of cables and lace requires careful attention to stitch placement and tension to ensure the pattern reads clearly in the finished fabric.

Stitches Used

The Lafant Wrap utilizes a range of fundamental and intermediate knitting stitches:

• Knit (k) – the basic knit stitch forming the foundation of the fabric
• Purl (p) – the reverse of the knit stitch, used to create texture and pattern definition
• Yarn over (yo) – creates deliberate holes in the fabric, essential for lace sections
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used to shape the wrap and create lace patterns
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease that pairs with k2tog for balanced decreases in lace work
• Slip (SL) – moving stitches from one needle to another without working them, used in various techniques
• Purl 2 together (p2tog) – a decrease worked on the purl side of the fabric
• Cable 4 front (C4F) – a cable cross that creates twisted rope-like texture; worked by slipping 2 stitches onto a cable needle and holding it in front of the work, then knitting the next 2 stitches before knitting the 2 stitches from the cable needle
• Lateral Braid – an advanced stitch technique that creates braided texture by knitting into the back of stitches without slipping them off the needle

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Lafant Wrap requires 450 yards (411 meters) of 4-ply or fingering weight yarn. The original sample was created using Araucania Ranco Solid yarn in this weight. Knitters should use 4mm needles or the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge, along with a tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

The pattern notes that while the original design uses fingering weight yarn, a thicker wrap can be created by substituting a heavier weight yarn. This flexibility allows crafters to customize the wrap's drape and weight according to personal preference. However, using heavier yarn will increase total yardage requirements beyond the specified 450 yards.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this advanced project. The specified gauge is 18 stitches by 40 rows over 4 inches in the main stitch pattern. The finished wrap dimensions are 70 inches wide by 12 inches long. The pattern allows for easy length adjustments by knitting additional or fewer repeats of the pattern sequence, though yarn requirements will vary accordingly with any modifications to length.

Difficulty Level

The Lafant Wrap is rated as an advanced knitting project, suitable for experienced knitters who are comfortable with cable work, lace stitches, short row shaping, and reading complex stitch patterns. The combination of techniques and the precision required for proper gauge and stitch definition makes this design appropriate for knitters seeking to expand their technical skills.