Floyd Shawl in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light - Downloadable PDF

Floyd Shawl in Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light

What is Being Made

The Floyd Shawl is an intermediate-level knit shawl designed by Åsa Buchta. This finished piece measures approximately 60 inches across by 30 inches down the center, making it a generous wrap suitable for layering or draping across the shoulders. The shawl is worked in a structured design that showcases colorwork through the use of a main color and four complementary contrast colors.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern calls for Berroco Ultra Alpaca Light, a DK weight yarn made from alpaca fiber. The project requires a total of 6 hanks: 4 hanks of #42189 Barley (the main color), plus 1 hank each of #4267 Orchid, #4268 Candied Yam Mix, #4275 Pea Soup Mix, and #42105 Eggplant (the four contrast colors). The alpaca fiber provides softness and drape, making it an excellent choice for a shawlette that will be worn close to the body.

Needles and Notions

Knitters will need a 32-inch circular needle in size 6 (4 mm) or the size required to obtain proper gauge. Stitch markers are also necessary to help track pattern repeats and construction throughout the project.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch, measured after blocking. Achieving accurate gauge is emphasized as essential for obtaining the correct finished measurements. The shawl should be blocked to set the stitches and achieve the intended dimensions and drape.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

As an intermediate-level project, the Floyd Shawl employs stockinette stitch as the primary stitch pattern. The design incorporates colorwork through the use of multiple yarn colors worked into the fabric, allowing the main color and four contrast shades to create visual interest and depth. The circular needle construction enables seamless knitting in the round or back and forth, depending on the specific shaping of the design. Knitters working this pattern should be comfortable with reading charts, managing multiple yarn colors, and executing color changes smoothly to achieve clean transitions between the Barley base and the Orchid, Candied Yam Mix, Pea Soup Mix, and Eggplant accents.