Miso wrap

Miso Wrap by Brigitte Reydams

What Is Being Made

The Miso Wrap is a knitted shawl designed by Brigitte Reydams, measuring approximately 14 inches wide by 60 inches long. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a lightweight, colorful wrap suitable for layering and everyday wear. The design showcases a sophisticated use of color variation through multiple yarn shades, making it an ideal project for knitters seeking to expand their color work skills.

Design and Pattern Structure

This wrap incorporates mathematical elegance through the use of the Fibonacci Sequence, a design principle that creates naturally harmonious proportions and visual balance. The pattern features two primary stitch patterns that work together to create the finished fabric: a Chevron stitch pattern and a Domino pattern. These techniques combine to produce a dynamic, textured appearance with visual interest throughout the wrap.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Miso Wrap employs intermediate-level knitting techniques suitable for knitters with foundational skills. Key techniques include:

• Chevron Stitch Pattern: A 17-stitch plus 4-stitch repeat worked over 34 rows total, creating the characteristic zigzag or wave-like texture. This pattern uses yarn overs and decreases to form the peaks and valleys of the chevron design.
• Decreases: The pattern utilizes SSK (slip 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch, pass over slip stitch) and K2tog (knit 2 together) to shape the chevron formations and control stitch count.
• Yarn Overs: Incorporated as (K1, YO, K1 in same stitch) to create openwork elements and increase stitches strategically within the pattern.
• Domino Pattern: A secondary pattern technique that requires carrying yarn loosely across the back of the work, demonstrating color work capability and adding textural variety.
• Basic Stitches: Knit and purl stitches form the foundation, with stitch markers used to denote pattern repeats for accuracy.

Materials and Gauge

The Miso Wrap calls for 10 skeins of Prism Euro Flax Sport weight Linen yarn, one skein each in the following colors: Pearl (A), Ebony (B), Juniper (C), Aegean (D), Bittersweet (E), Violetta (F), Rosamund (G), Honeydew (H), Hibiscus (I), and Orchid (J). Knitters have the flexibility to substitute colors according to personal preference or reduce the number of colors used in the project.

The pattern recommends size 7 needles or the size required to achieve proper gauge. The working gauge in the Chevron stitch is 21 stitches (17 + 4) = 3¼ inches wide, which is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions of the wrap.

Yarn Weight and Fiber Content

This pattern uses sport weight linen yarn, a natural fiber choice that provides excellent drape and breathability. Linen is particularly well-suited for wraps as it becomes softer and more supple with wear and washing. The sport weight classification allows for a fabric with good structure while remaining lightweight and suitable for layering across seasons.

Design Flexibility

The pattern notes that the Miso Wrap calls for more yarn than is actually used in the finished piece, allowing for color variety and creative expression. Knitters who have completed the coordinating Miso Skirt project will have sufficient leftover yarn to complete this wrap as pictured. Additionally, the pattern accommodates modifications in color quantity, making it accessible to knitters working with different yarn stashes or preferences.