Chrysocolla Shawl in Berroco Ultra Wool DK - Downloadable PDF

Chrysocolla Shawl in Berroco Ultra Wool DK — Pattern Summary

The Chrysocolla Shawl is a sophisticated, elongated rectangular shawl designed by Donna Yacino and published by Berroco. Available as a downloadable PDF, this intermediate-level knitting pattern produces a finished piece measuring approximately 28" wide by 77" long after blocking — a generously sized wrap that drapes beautifully over the shoulders or can be worn in multiple ways.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a striped, textured shawl worked in three distinct sections. The construction begins with a center panel worked from the bottom upward, and then two side panels are added by picking up stitches along the side edges of the center panel and working outward toward the edges. This three-panel construction gives the shawl a structured, symmetrical appearance while keeping each section manageable in size. The finished shawl has a rich, dimensional surface texture created by the interplay of two carefully sequenced stitch patterns worked in a two-color stripe sequence.

Construction Technique

• Three-panel construction: The center panel is knitted first, then stitches are picked up along both side edges to work the two outer panels outward — a technique that creates seamless, integrated joins and eliminates the need for seaming.
• Stitch pickup: Picking up stitches along a selvedge edge is an intermediate skill that requires even spacing to maintain the fabric's integrity and ensure the side panels lie flat.
• Blocking: Blocking is essential to this pattern. The gauge is measured after blocking, meaning the stitch patterns open up and the fabric relaxes to its intended dimensions only once wet-blocked or steam-blocked.
• Stripe sequencing: A repeating stripe sequence alternates between the two colors in a specific rhythm — 8 rows in Pattern Stitch A with C1, followed by 4 rows in Pattern Stitch B with C2, then 2 rows of Pattern Stitch B with C1, and finally 4 rows of Pattern Stitch B with C2 — creating a nuanced, non-uniform stripe that adds visual depth.

Stitches Used

The Chrysocolla Shawl features two custom pattern stitches, both worked over an odd number of stitches and combining knit, purl, and a distinctive knit-in-the-row-below stitch:

• Pattern Stitch A: A two-row repeat. The wrong-side row works a k2 border followed by a ribbed sequence of p1, k1 across, ending k1. The right-side row introduces the signature technique of knitting into the stitch in the row below alternated with purls, creating a subtle elongated-stitch texture.
• Pattern Stitch B: Also a two-row repeat with a similar structure but a slightly shifted arrangement. The wrong-side row works a simple k1, p1 rib across. The right-side row begins with k1, p1 before entering the knit-in-the-row-below sequence, giving it a marginally different surface character compared to Pattern Stitch A.

The knit-in-the-row-below technique — sometimes associated with brioche or fisherman's rib traditions — creates a lofty, squishy fabric with excellent drape and a woven-like appearance. When combined with the two-color stripe sequence, the colors interact subtly at the transitions, lending the shawl its characteristic richness.

Materials

• Yarn: Berroco Ultra Wool DK (100g balls), a 100% wool yarn in DK weight. The pattern calls for 4 balls in #83118 Marjoram (C1) and 3 balls in #83113 Black Pepper (C2) — a warm green paired with a deep, near-neutral dark tone that evokes the mineral colors of chrysocolla stone.
• Needles: A 29" circular needle in size US 7 (4.50 mm), or the size needed to achieve gauge. Circular needles are used to accommodate the stitch count comfortably, even though the shawl is