Montebello

Montebello Knit Wrap Shawl by Hanks And Needles

Project Overview

The Montebello is an advanced-level knit wrap shawl designed by Makenzie Alvarez for Hanks And Needles. This elegant wrap draws inspiration from the ornate beauty of decorative iron fencing and lush garden landscapes, translating natural elegance into a wearable knit design. The finished wrap measures 24 inches by 64 inches when blocked, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering and styling.

What Is Being Made

The Montebello is a rectangular wrap shawl crafted using the knitting technique. This garment type offers both aesthetic appeal and practical warmth, functioning as a decorative wrap that can be worn across the shoulders, draped around the body, or styled in multiple ways. The design emphasizes the interplay between structure and drape, creating a piece that showcases stitch definition and texture.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern requires 1500 yards of aran weight yarn, providing substantial yardage for a substantial finished piece. The sample garment was created using Cascade 220 Aran Superwash Yarn in Silver Grey, utilizing 10 hanks of 150 yards each (3.5 oz per hank). Aran weight yarn is a medium-heavy yarn that creates defined stitches and provides good stitch definition for complex stitch patterns.

Essential tools include a US 9 (5.5mm) circular needle measuring 24 inches minimum to accommodate the stitch count, two cable needles (double-pointed needles may be substituted), and a tapestry needle for weaving in ends during finishing.

Stitches and Techniques

The Montebello employs cable knitting techniques, requiring the use of cable needles to create the decorative twisted stitches that evoke the ornamental iron fencing inspiration. Cable stitches are formed by crossing groups of stitches over one another, creating raised, rope-like texture that adds visual interest and dimension to the finished wrap.

The pattern is provided in both written and charted formats, allowing knitters to follow either written instructions or visual stitch diagrams according to personal preference. This dual-format approach accommodates different learning styles and makes the pattern more accessible to knitters at various experience levels within the advanced category.

Pattern Customization

The Montebello pattern offers flexibility for customization:

• Width adjustment: Knitters can increase or decrease the width by working additional or fewer 24-stitch multiples
• Length adjustment: The length can be modified by repeating Rows 1-32 until the desired finished length is achieved, allowing for personal preference and yarn availability

Skill Level and Gauge

This pattern is rated as advanced difficulty, making it suitable for experienced knitters with solid foundational skills and comfort working with cable stitches. The blocked gauge is 16 stitches by 20 rows per 4 inches, which is typical for aran weight yarn and should be carefully checked before beginning the project to ensure proper finished dimensions.

Pattern Format

The Montebello is available as a downloadable PDF pattern from Hanks And Needles, the independent designer brand behind this creation. The pattern includes comprehensive instructions, stitch charts, and all necessary information for successful completion of this advanced wrap shawl project.