Wrapped Up

Wrapped Up Shawl-Poncho by Susanne Sommer

What is Being Made

Wrapped Up is a versatile shawl-poncho hybrid design that transitions from a traditional top-down triangular shawl into a circular wrap. This innovative garment offers a stylish alternative to conventional shawls, functioning as a practical layering piece perfect for warding off autumn and winter chill. The design is available in multiple yarn weights and finished lengths, allowing crafters to create either a smaller, delicate wrap or a larger, more substantial garment depending on their preferences and yarn choice.

Techniques Used

The construction method for Wrapped Up combines several key knitting techniques. The pattern begins with a top-down shawl approach, establishing the foundational triangular shape. As the knitter progresses, the piece transitions to knitting in the round, allowing the shawl to be closed and extended into a full poncho-style wrap. This technique shift creates a seamless transition from the initial shawl structure to the circular garment. The pattern emphasizes fabric drape as an important consideration, recommending needle selection that produces a fabric with movement and flow rather than a dense, stiff fabric.

Stitches Used

Wrapped Up is constructed entirely in garter stitch, making it an excellent beginner-friendly project. Garter stitch—created by knitting every row when working flat and alternating knit and purl rounds when working in the round—produces a reversible, textured fabric with excellent drape characteristics. The simplicity of working exclusively in garter stitch allows the pattern to serve as a blank canvas for creative color work and yarn experimentation. The pattern is finished with an i-cord bind off at the hem, which mirrors a matching i-cord edge at the neck opening, creating a polished, coordinated finish.

Materials and Yarn Weight Options

Wrapped Up accommodates multiple yarn weights, offering flexibility for different seasons and personal preferences. The pattern provides specific yardage requirements for two primary versions: DK weight requiring approximately 330 meters (shown in a silver, gray, and purple colorway), and Worsted weight requiring approximately 460 meters (shown in dark gray and blue). Beyond these two featured versions, the pattern encourages experimentation with additional yarn weights including Lace or Fingering weight for lightweight summer wraps, and Aran weight for extra warmth. The designer emphasizes selecting needle sizes that produce fabric with excellent drape, ensuring the finished wrap has the desired fluidity and movement rather than a stiff or overly structured appearance.

Design Flexibility

One of the standout features of Wrapped Up is its adaptability. Crafters can customize the finished length by continuing to knit in the round until the wrap reaches their desired dimensions. The all-garter-stitch construction provides an ideal foundation for color experimentation, supporting solid colorways, striped patterns, color blocks, or gradient effects. This flexibility makes Wrapped Up suitable for both beginners seeking a straightforward project and experienced knitters interested in exploring color work and yarn combinations.