Urban Wrap

Urban Wrap Cardigan by Melissa Wehrle

What is Being Made

The Urban Wrap is an intermediate-level knitted cardigan designed by Melissa Wehrle. This garment features a fitted silhouette with waist shaping and is available in seven size options, with finished bust measurements ranging from 30 inches to 53 inches (76 cm to 134.5 cm). The cardigan length varies from 22.5 inches to 26.5 inches (57 cm to 67.5 cm) depending on the chosen size, making it a versatile layering piece suitable for various body types and style preferences.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Urban Wrap employs several advanced shaping techniques worked simultaneously throughout the pattern, requiring careful attention during construction. The garment features front shaping, waist shaping, armhole shaping, and shoulder shaping that are all executed concurrently, demanding intermediate-level knitting skills and pattern-reading ability. The pattern notes emphasize reading through the entire pattern carefully before beginning to ensure proper execution of these overlapping shaping elements.

The front rib hem is constructed separately and is later picked up along with the neck trim, allowing for a finished, professional appearance at the neckline and front edges. This technique ensures clean edges and proper ribbing definition on a garment that requires precise finishing.

Stitches and Stitch Techniques

The Urban Wrap utilizes fundamental knitting stitches and techniques appropriate for an intermediate project:

• Stockinette stitch serves as the primary fabric, creating a smooth, classic knit surface
• Ribbing is used for the front hem and neck trim for elasticity and definition
• Increases (inc) and decreases (dec) are used throughout for shaping the bust, waist, and armholes
• Make 1 purl stitch (M1p) provides invisible increases within the fabric
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) decreases are employed for left-leaning decreases
• Bind off (BO) and cast on (CO) techniques secure the beginning and ending of the garment pieces

Materials and Tools

The Urban Wrap is designed to be knitted with Lanas Puras Melosa Worsted, a 100% Merino wool yarn available in the Passion colorway. Each skein contains 100 grams and yields 215 yards of yardage. Depending on the chosen size, the project requires between 4 and 8 skeins of yarn, allowing crafters to select the appropriate quantity based on their desired finished size.

The pattern calls for specific needle and hook sizes to achieve the correct gauge and fabric drape. Knitters will need US 8 (5mm) straight needles for working flat sections and a US 8 (5mm) circular needle measuring 36 inches or longer for working in the round or managing larger stitch counts. A US I (5.5mm) crochet hook is included in the materials list, likely for finishing details such as the front rib hem or neck trim application. Additional tools include a stitch holder for managing stitches during construction and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends and seaming if necessary.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is worked at a gauge of 18 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the proper finished measurements and fit. The seven available sizes accommodate a wide range of body measurements, making this cardigan accessible to knitters seeking different levels of ease and fit.