Moroccan Tile Wrap

Moroccan Tile Wrap by Jane Crowfoot

Project Overview

The Moroccan Tile Wrap is a knitted shawl design created by Jane Crowfoot that features a distinctive modular construction method. This downloadable PDF pattern produces a finished wrap composed of three separate strips, each measuring 11 rectangles in length, which are joined together along their cast-off edges to create the complete garment. The design showcases intricate colorwork inspired by traditional Moroccan tile patterns.

Construction Method

This wrap employs a unique strip-based construction technique where rectangular modules are knitted individually and then connected. The pattern includes Strip A, which is made twice, and additional strips that complete the design. Each rectangle is created by picking up and knitting stitches along the cast-off edge of the previous rectangle, allowing the strips to grow organically without requiring seaming. This method creates a seamless integration between rectangles while maintaining the structural integrity of the wrap.

Knitting Techniques

• Intarsia Method: The primary colorwork technique used throughout the Moroccan Tile Wrap. Intarsia involves working with multiple yarn colors within a single row, changing colors as indicated by the pattern charts. This technique creates distinct blocks of color that form the Moroccan tile motifs without carrying yarn across the back of the work.
• Chart-Based Colorwork: The pattern utilizes detailed charts (Chart 1 and Chart 2 referenced in the instructions) that guide color placement and changes. Knitters read these charts row by row, alternating between right-to-left on right-side rows and left-to-right on wrong-side rows, following standard knitting chart conventions.
• Pick-Up and Knit: After completing each rectangle, 37 stitches are picked up and knit along the cast-off edge of the previous rectangle, maintaining the correct color order according to the chart. This technique ensures proper color alignment and creates a smooth transition between modules.
• Cast-On and Cast-Off in Pattern: The wrap begins with a standard cast-on of 37 stitches using 3.25mm needles. Throughout the pattern, stitches are cast off in pattern, meaning the cast-off row follows the colorwork sequence to maintain visual consistency at the edges.

Stitches and Stitch Count

Each rectangle in the Moroccan Tile Wrap is worked over 37 stitches and 58 rows, creating uniform modules that stack together visually. The pattern works primarily in stockinette stitch as the base fabric, with the intarsia colorwork creating the decorative Moroccan tile design across these rectangular sections. The consistent stitch and row count ensures that all rectangles align properly when joined, creating a balanced and cohesive final wrap.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

The Moroccan Tile Wrap is designed for 4-ply yarn weight, a lightweight fingering-weight yarn that produces a delicate, drapable fabric ideal for wrap garments. The pattern is worked on 3.25mm needles, which are appropriately sized for 4-ply yarn and create a fabric with good stitch definition for showcasing the colorwork details. The design requires multiple yarn colors to achieve the Moroccan tile effect, with specific color changes indicated throughout the charts. The 4-ply weight ensures the finished wrap will be lightweight and suitable for layering while maintaining enough structure to drape elegantly.

Pattern Structure Summary

The complete Moroccan Tile Wrap consists of three strips total, with Strip A being made twice. Each strip contains 11 rectangles joined along their cast-off edges. This modular approach allows knitters to work on manageable sections before combining them into the finished wrap, making the project less intimidating than working a large piece from a single cast-on. The repetitive rectangle-by-rectangle construction, combined with the charted colorwork, creates a meditative knitting experience while producing a visually striking finished garment.