My mom and I have a deal. Every Christmas she gives me an IOU for a class I’d like to take, and in return, I share with her what I learn. Over the years I’ve taken quilting classes, Italian, calligraphy, weaving, machine knitting, the list goes on… What will this year’s class be you ask?!?! Indigo dyeing!

Arctic Wrap | Purl Soho

I picture this class in a flower-filled garden or a breezy field (proof, I suppose, that I’ve grown very tired of winter). While I wait to find this perfect springtime class, my imagination fills with inky blues and seeping dyes, and so, I decided to translate the as-of-yet unknown art of indigo dyeing into something I do know… knitting. And since this polar winter is seemingly endless, it feels just right for right now!

Arctic Wrap | Purl Soho

For my Arctic Wrap I used Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist merino in the color Heirloom White as a constant backdrop and Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure for beautiful, shifting color. In a basic 1 stitch x 1 stitch Fair Isle pattern, the blooming halo of Alpaca Pure hovers over the smooth finish of Worsted Twist, highlighting the textural difference and softening the pixelated stitches into a gorgeous knit translation of a dip-dyed fabric.

Arctic Wrap | Purl Soho

Working on this generously sized wrap has kept me cozy warm as I daydream about my indigo dyeing class, the sun on my cheeks, my fingers stained deep blue. Are any of you chronic class takers? What are you most curious about lately? Whatever it is, I hope it inspires you to create… maybe even this Arctic Wrap! -Laura

Arctic Wrap | Purl Soho

PS: Two of my all-time favorite classes have been Improvisational Patchwork with Denyse Schmidt, which my mom and I actually took together, and a Calligraphy Workshop with Maybell Imasa-Stukuls, hosted by Bellocq, whose shop and tea I just LOVE.

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.

Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoArcticWrap, and #PurlSohoWorstedTwist. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

  • MC: 5 skeins of Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist, 100% merino wool; approximately 820 yards required. (NOTE: We no longer offer Worsted Twist, but choose from one of our other worsted/aran weight yarns.)
  • CC1: 3 skeins of Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure, 100% super baby alpaca; approximately 355 yards required. (NOTE: We no longer offer Alpaca Pure, but choose from one of our other worsted/aran weight yarns.)
  • CC2: 2 skeins of Alpaca Pure; approximately 240 yards required
  • CC3: 1 skein of Alpaca Pure; approximately 120 yards required
  • CC4: 1 skein of Alpaca Pure; approximately 66 yards required

(Please Note: We no longer offer Alpaca Pure but recommend Worsted Twist as a perfect substitute!)

You’ll also need…

  • US 9 (5.5 mm), straight or circular needles

Glacier

Arctic Wrap | Purl Soho

  • Main Color (MC): 5 skeins of Worsted Twist in Heirloom White
  • Contrast Color 1 (CC1): 3 skeins of Alpaca Pure in Artemisia
  • Contrast Color 2 (CC2): 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure in Steel Blue
  • Contrast Color 3 (CC3): 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure in Timeless Navy
  • Contrast Color 4 (CC4): 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure in Dark Loam

Mountain

Arctic Wrap | Purl Soho

  • Main Color (MC): 5 skeins of Worsted Twist in Wheat Flour
  • Contrast Color 1 (CC1): 3 skeins of Alpaca Pure in Honey Pink
  • Contrast Color 2 (CC2): 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure in Copper Penny
  • Contrast Color 3 (CC3): 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure in Peach Stone
  • Contrast Color 4 (CC4): 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Alpaca Pure in Rose Granite
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Gauge

  • 20 stitches = 4 inches in Fair Isle stitch (see Rows 1 and 2 of Work First Section of Fair Isle, below)

Finished Size

  • Approximately 90 inches long by 20 inches wide

Notes 

Arctic Wrap | Purl Soho

In the TRANSITION sections of the pattern, you will be working with three strands of yarn. I devised an untraditional stranding method in order to disrupt the pattern on wrong side of the fabric as little as possible. Below is a photo tutorial with detailed instructions on how to carry the yarn across the back when working with three strands during these TRANSITION sections.

For Rows 1, 5, and 7 (right side)

Arctic Wrap | Purl Soho

Identify the working yarn. Pull it straight up towards you, separating it from the other strands.

Arctic Wrap | Purl Soho

Take the working yarn towards the right, then under the other strands and knit.

For Row 8 (wrong side)

Arctic Wrap | Purl Soho

Identify the working yarn. Pull it straight up towards you, separating it from the other strands.

Arctic Wrap | Purl Soho

Take the working yarn towards the right, then under the other strands and purl.

For Row 9 (right side)

Arctic Wrap | Purl Soho

For the Contrast Colors, work in the same way as described above for Rows 1, 5 and 7: Identify the working yarn, take it towards the right, then under the other strands and knit.

Arctic Wrap | Purl Soho

For the Main Color, carry it across the top of the one Contrast Color to its left.

Pattern

Begin with a Rolled Edge

With MC, cast on 104 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Row 1 (right side): Knit.

Row 2: Purl.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 one time.

Work First Section of Fair Isle

Row 1 (right side): *K1 with MC, k1 with CC1, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2: *P1 with MC, p1 with CC1, repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 38 inches.

Transition to CC2

Row 1 (right side): *K1 with MC, k1 with CC2, [k1 with MC, k1 with CC1] three times, repeat from * to end of row. Cut CC2.

Row 2: *P1 with MC, p1 with CC1, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 3: *K1 with MC, k1 with CC1, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 4: Repeat Row 2.

Row 5: *[K1 with MC, k1 with CC1] three times, k1 with MC, k1 with CC2, repeat from * to end of row. Cut CC2.

Row 6: Repeat Row 2.

Row 7: Repeat Row 1.

Row 8: *[P1 with MC, p1 with CC1] two times, p1 with MC, p1 with CC2, repeat from * to last two stitches, p1 with MC, p1 with CC1.

Row 9: *K1 with MC, k1, with CC1, k1 with MC, k1 with CC2, repeat from * to end of row. Cut CC1.

Row 10: *P1 with MC, p1 with CC2, repeat from * to end of row.

Work Second Section of Fair Isle

Row 1 (right side): *K1 with MC, k1 with CC2, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2: *P1 with MC, p1 with CC2, repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 26 inches.

Transition to CC3

Row 1 (right side): *K1 with MC, k1 with CC3, [k1 with MC, k1 with CC2] three times, repeat from * to end of

row. Cut CC3.

Row 2: *P1 with MC, p1 with CC2, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 3: *K1 with MC, k1 with CC2, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 4: Repeat Row 2.

Row 5: *[K1 with MC, k1 with CC2] three times, k1 with MC, k1 with CC3, repeat from * to end of row. Cut CC3.

Row 6: Repeat Row 2.

Row 7: Repeat Row 1.

Row 8: *[P1 with MC, p1 with CC2] two times, p1 with MC, p1 with CC3, repeat from * to last two stitches, p1 with MC, p1 with CC2.

Row 9: *K1 with MC, k1, with CC2, k1 with MC, k1 with CC3, repeat from * to end of row. Cut CC2.

Row 10: *P1 with MC, p1 with CC3, repeat from * to end of row.

Work Third Section of Fair Isle

Row 1 (right side): *K1 with MC, k1 with CC3, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2: *P1 with MC, p1 with CC3, repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 12 inches.

Transition to CC4

Row 1 (right side): *K1 with MC, k1 with CC4, [k1 with MC, k1 with CC3] three times, repeat from * to end of round. Cut CC4.

Row 2: *P1 with MC, p1 with CC3, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 3: *K1 with MC, k1 with CC3, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 4: Repeat Row 2.

Row 5: *[K1 with MC, k1 with CC3] three times, k1 with MC, k1 with CC4, repeat from * to end of row. Cut CC4.

Row 6: Repeat Row 2.

Row 7: Repeat Row 1.

Row 8: *[P1 with MC, p1 with CC3] two times, p1 with MC, p1 with CC4, repeat from * to last two stitches, p1 with MC, p1 with CC3.

Row 9: *K1 with MC, k1, with CC3, k1 with MC, k1 with CC4, repeat from * to end of row. Cut CC3.

Row 10: *P1 with MC, p1 with CC4, repeat from * to end of row.

Work Final Section of Fair Isle

Row 1 (right side): *K1 with MC, k1 with CC4, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2: *P1 with MC, p1 with CC4, repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for 6 inches.

Cut MC.

Finish with Rolled Edge

With CC4…

Row 1: Knit.

Row 2: Purl.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 one time.

Bind off in knit.

Weave in the ends and block as desired.

Arctic Wrap | Purl Soho