Darling Isabella Wrap

Darling Isabella Wrap by Patty Olson Designs

Project Overview

The Darling Isabella Wrap is an intermediate-level knitted shawl designed by Patty Olson. This elegant wrap is a downloadable PDF pattern that creates a generous rectangular shawl measuring 70 inches in length and 14 inches in width when properly blocked. The design features a beautiful Diamond Stitch pattern that opens up during the blocking process, transforming the wrap from its pre-blocked dimensions of approximately 60 inches by 13 inches into its final, more spacious measurements.

What Is Being Made

This project produces a versatile knitted wrap—a lightweight shawl suitable for layering and draping. The rectangular shape and generous 70-inch length make it ideal for wrapping around the shoulders or wearing as a decorative accessory. The wrap's design emphasizes stitch definition and visual interest through its signature Diamond Stitch pattern, which becomes more pronounced and visually striking after blocking.

Techniques and Stitches Used

The primary stitch technique featured in the Darling Isabella Wrap is the Diamond Stitch pattern, which forms the foundation of the entire design. This pattern is worked repeatedly throughout the project, with knitters completing rows 1 through 36 a total of eleven times, followed by rows 1 through 34 once more, for a total of 430 rows.

The pattern includes a specialized stitch technique called Make a Knot, which adds textural interest and dimension to the wrap. This stitch is created by knitting into the front, back, and front of a single stitch, turning the work, purling those three stitches, turning again, then slipping two stitches knitwise and knitting the next stitch before passing the slipped stitches over. This creates a decorative knot-like element within the fabric.

Knitters have the flexibility to follow the Diamond Stitch pattern using either a charted version provided on page 3 of the PDF or written row-by-row instructions on page 2, allowing for different learning preferences and working styles.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for Cowgirlblues Merino DK yarn in the colorway Chatterbox. This is a 100% wool yarn with a yardage of 186 yards per 50 grams (170 meters per skein). The project requires 5 skeins total, providing sufficient yardage to complete the wrap with appropriate yardage for finishing and weaving in ends.

Needles and Notions: Knitters will need US size 6 (4mm) circular needles in a 20-inch length, sized to obtain the correct gauge. Additional supplies include stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn tails during finishing.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 23 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches when worked in the Diamond Stitch pattern and measured after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements. Before blocking, the wrap will measure approximately 60 inches by 13 inches. The blocking process is crucial to the final appearance, as it opens up the Diamond Stitch pattern and expands the wrap to its finished dimensions of 70 inches by 14 inches.

Difficulty Level and Finishing

Rated as an intermediate-level project, the Darling Isabella Wrap is suitable for knitters with some experience beyond the absolute beginner stage. The repetitive nature of the Diamond Stitch pattern, combined with the specialized Make a Knot stitch, provides an engaging project that builds skill without overwhelming complexity.

Finishing involves binding off loosely to maintain the wrap's drape and flexibility, then blocking to desired measurements to fully develop the stitch pattern's visual impact. The final step is weaving in all yarn tails with a tapestry needle to complete the wrap.