Wrap me in a Rainbow

Wrap me in a Rainbow Knitted Shawl

What is Being Made

Wrap me in a Rainbow is an asymmetrical knitted shawl designed by Chloe Bailey that celebrates colour through rainbow striping. This downloadable knitting pattern is ideal for crafters looking to create a vibrant, wearable accessory that showcases multiple yarn colours in a single cohesive design. The shawl's asymmetrical silhouette makes it a versatile garment suitable for various styling preferences and body types.

Design and Structure

The shawl features an asymmetrical shape that is knitted flat in a back-and-forth motion rather than in the round. This construction method makes the pattern accessible to intermediate knitters and adventurous beginners who are comfortable with basic shaping techniques. The design incorporates simple increases and decreases worked on each side to create the asymmetrical form, allowing the knitter to develop shaping skills while working on a manageable project.

Colour and Yarn Usage

One of the most appealing aspects of this pattern is its flexibility with yarn stash management. The shawl uses a main colour for the base and incorporates 10 additional contrast colours for rainbow striping. Each rainbow stripe requires only 6g of DK weight yarn, making this an excellent project for using up small yarn remnants and minis from your stash. The pictured sample uses Stylecraft Batik DK in the following colours: Cream 1900 as the main colour, with contrast colours including Old Gold 1902, Pistachio 1910, Olive 1911, Sage 1908, Teal 1909, Violet 1912, Plum 1907, Raspberry 1905, Cherry 1904, and Coral 1903. The main colour requires 150g, while each contrast colour stripe uses only 6g.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate-level pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques that build essential skills. The primary techniques used include:

• Flat knitting: Working back and forth on circular needles rather than in the round, which is a core knitting method
• Increases: Shaping increases worked on each side to create the asymmetrical silhouette
• Decreases: Corresponding decreases that work in conjunction with the increases to achieve the desired shawl shape
• Colour changes: Transitioning between the main colour and contrast colours to create the rainbow stripe effect

While specific stitch names are not detailed in the pattern overview, the design utilizes basic knit and purl stitches combined with the shaping techniques mentioned above to create the finished asymmetrical shawl.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The pattern calls for DK weight yarn, which is a medium-weight yarn suitable for creating garments with good drape and structure. The recommended yarn is Stylecraft Batik DK, which contains 138 metres or 151 yards per 50g ball and is composed of 80% acrylic and 20% wool. This fibre blend provides durability, easy care, and a pleasant texture suitable for a wearable shawl. The total yarn requirement is 150g of main colour plus 6g each of 10 contrast colours, allowing for creative colour selection and stash busting.

Tools and Equipment

To complete this project, you will need a 4mm circular needle with a minimum cable length of 80cm. The longer cable accommodates the width of the shawl as it grows during the knitting process. Additional supplies include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and scissors for cutting yarn.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, this pattern is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle simple shaping techniques. The straightforward increases and decreases, combined with the flat knitting construction, make it an excellent project for building confidence in garment shaping while creating a beautiful, colourful finished piece.