Open Air Wrap
Although you wouldn’t know it from looking at me, I really do love clothes and style and fashion. I don’t purchase September issues or Louboutins, but I do love the human spectrum that is expressed through clothing choices (thank you, New York City!).
This Open Air Wrap would definitely catch my eye on the street, inciting a reverie about the woman wearing it. If she had paired it with a trim black dress and patent leather pumps, I would think about the artistic her making a bid for self-expression, giving a nod to the unconventional. Or if a woman were wearing the Open Air Wrap with flowing skirts and layers of linen and long necklaces, I would admire that every iota of her wants to be free.
Where do we turn for the unexpected and the singular? Easy, Habu Textiles. For this project I chose their spectacularly fascinating Silk Wrap Paper. Not really paper, but paper-like, Silk Wrapped Paper is actually a slender linen tape bound with an even finer thread of silk. Knit up, it is sculptural, featherlight and totally statement making.
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
The super simple Purse Stitch, which essentially creates a net-like mesh, gives the Silk Wrap Paper plenty of room to breathe and to express itself. Which brings us back to the beginning. We wear what we wear, from high tops to topsiders, to be ourselves and to tell the world who we are. So, toss your own Open Air Wrap over your shoulders and express yourself! -Whitney
Update: New Yarn
JUNE 17, 2016
Our Open Air Wrap loves a yarn with personality! The original version, in Habu’s crispy Silk Wrap Paper, was a bit sculptural, a bit outside-of-the-box. And now in Linen Quill, the Open Air Wrap reveals a whole other side, one that is soft and voluminous, refined and classic. Visit the new post for more details and additional photos of the Linen Quill version.
Update: New Yarn
November 7, 2018
Our Open Air Wrap is a familiar favorite, but it undergoes a splendid reinvention when paired with our gorgeous new Tussock! This wrap may look as diaphanous as floating mist, but don’t be fooled…It’s really a halo of soft and cozy warmth. Tussock is 60% super fine kid mohair and 40% silk, a blend that insulates with a feather-light touch and a lovely luster. Read all about our latest update here!
Update: New Version
June 17, 2021
In our Linen Quill, the Open Air Wrap achieves a lovely combination of loft and drape. A blend of fine highland wool, alpaca, and linen, there are also dozens of gorgeous colors to choose from! We used Kiln Red because its warm glow is totally lovely on almost everybody.
UPDATE: NOW IN HANDWRITTEN
JUNE 2023
The simple mesh of our Open Air Wrap is perfectly poised to feature a truly special yarn, and our Handwritten is happy to tell its story! Supple and elegant as a line of cursive, this 100% organically grown cotton is a fine, flat ribbon, a structure that gives hand knits more volume and dimension than you might expect from a laceweight yarn. Handwritten’s adorable spool holds over 900 yards of ready-to-go yarn and comes in twenty-six gorgeous colors. Choose a two-spool, two-color Open Air Wrap Bundle, and cast on for this signature wrap!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoOpenAirWrap. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 5 skeins of Habu’s Silk Wrap Paper, 99% linen and 1% silk. Each skein of this lace-weight yarn is 117 yards/ 14 grams; approximately 590 yards required. We used White Navy.
- US 4 (3.5 mm), straight or circular needles
Shop our wonderful collection of lace-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
Gauge
21¾ stitches = 4 inches in stitch pattern, unblocked
20 stitches = 4 inches in stitch pattern, blocked
Size
Finished Dimensions, Unblocked: 18 inches wide x 56 inches long
Finished Dimensions, Blocked: 20 inches wide x 60 inches long
Notes
Yarn Overs Before Purls
This stitch pattern requires you to make yarn overs before purl stitches, a maneuver that confuses a lot of beginner knitters. The first thing to remember is that a yarn over is simply the act of moving the working yarn from one place to another. That movement does create a stitch once you work the next stitch, but the yarn over itself does not make a stitch. Here’s how to yarn over in the case of the Purse Stitch…
The first yarn over of each row happens after a knit stitch and before a purl two together (p2tog). So, you will knit the first stitch of the row, then bring the working yarn forward into the purl position:
Now bring the working yarn up and over the right needle, wrapping the needle in an away-from-you motion and returning the yarn to the purl position, ready for the p2tog:
For the rest of the row the yarn overs occur between two p2tog’s. In those cases the working yarn is already in the forward purl position (from just having made a p2tog); and so all you have to do is bring the yarn up and over the right needle, wrapping in an away-from-you motion and returning the yarn to the purl position:
Purl Two Together (p2tog)
In this stitch pattern every p2tog is made by inserting the right needle into first the p2tog from the previous round and then the yarn over from the previous round:
Then, as with any normal purl stitch, wrap the working yarn counter clockwise around the right needle and pull a stitch through. Drop the two stitches from the left needle and get ready to yarn over!
WHY P2TOG AND NOT K2TOG?
In this pattern, when you purl 2 together, you insert the right needle into a p2tog from the previous round and then a yarn over, which is actually easy to do! But if you were to knit 2 together, your right needle would have to first go into the yarn over, which doesn’t have much tension on it and would be a bit dicey to grab with your needle. In addition, working all k2tog’s tends to create a biased finished fabric… Not the end of the world, but something to consider!
PATTERN
Cast on 98 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1: K1, *yarn over, purl 2 together (see Notes), repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Repeat Row 1 until you have used all five skeins, minus several yards. [Piece measures approximately 56 inches from cast-on edge.]
Bind off loosely, purling each stitch.
Weave in all ends and gently wet block to finished dimensions.
Wear your Open Air Wrap all summer long!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
Is it possible to do the same technique only using the knit stitch? it seems like it would be so much faster than purling every row…
You can get a pretty piece using K2tog, yarn over; but you will see that it looks different from the Purse stitch shown here. Look up the term “faggoting” online or in knitting books, and you will see examples of plain stitches that make a lacy effect. They are all simple, but they look different. It is a matter of what you like.
Gorgeous
Awesome! I just want to run to a shop to get me some nice yarn and start knitting NOW.
I love it, it looks like mist. Thanks for the clear yarn-over instructions. I made a Christmas-load of narrow purse stitch scarves in worsted yarn on big needles a few years ago and now you've made me want to make a wider one with "invisible" yarn for myself.
Hi Suerita-
You could certainly knit this yarn on larger needles using just garter stitch (all knitting) to get a nice open fabric. I would try a size 8 or larger. It would be open like this but would look pretty different.
You can always give it a try and see if you like it!
Thanks
Molly
Molly, I think what the previous poster was asking about is using a "k2tog, YO" on every row instead of the "p2tog, YO". If you are purling both sides, could you also knit both sides, to the same effect? Some of us are not as fast purling as knitting 🙂
Either way, the question could be answered with a quick swatch. Thanks so much for another inspiring pattern!
This is gorgeous! I've never worked with this type of yarn. Is it soft? Or could one use another type of yarn for a softer feel? If so, what would you recommend?
Can I slip the first knit stitch for a cleaner edge? Thanks! Also, will it make a difference in the edge if I do a purl cast-on? Thanks!
I am becoming more and more of a process knitter and Habu Textiles is always the right ticket for adventurous and unexpected knitting. Gorgeous scarf!
So, my brain is fuzzy on the math right now… 🙂 If I wanted to make this not as wide, would I just cast on an even number of fewer stitches? Or I am I looking for a multiple of something else? I am wondering about the k2tog vs p2tog also. I might need to swatch it.
Is there a reason that you used the Addi Rockets instead of Addi Lace?
Nothing like a Habu project. This is pretty much perfect. Thanks for the great post.
Is the object knit from this yarn actually washable, or do you wear it until it is grimy and throw it out? I mean, PAPER?
Serious question
Hi everyone wondering about k2tog vs p2tog,
Making yarn overs between purl stitches requires you to wrap the yarn over the needle. This creates bigger "holes" than you would get if you made yarn overs between knit stitches (which just requires you to bring the yarn forward into the purl position). So ultimately, the difference is that the Purse Stitch creates a more open "net" than a k2tog stitch would, but feel free to experiment and pick your favorite technique!
Thanks for asking and please let us know if any of you have any more questions!
Whitney
Hi Kristyn,
I would say that the Silk Wrapped Paper has a crisp rather than soft feeling, which is why is has so much body and structure. Using a softer yarn would also be beautiful, making a more traditional wrap with a lot of drape and flow.
Here is a link to all of Purl Soho's laceweight yarns: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/3-knitting-crochet-yarn?filters%5B%5D=2
Some especially soft choices would be Jade Sapphire's Khata and Anzula's Mermaid, but please let us know if you have specific questions about any of the options. We'd be happy to help you decide! Thanks so much for asking!
Whitney
Thanks for the yarn recommendation! When using the lace weight, what size needles would you recommend? I still love the openness of the pattern, and using such small needles (1-3) seems like I’d lose this.
Hi again Kristyn!
The Silk Wrapped Paper is also a laceweight yarn that would more traditionally be knit on size US #2 or #3 needles. I’m honestly not sure why I went up a needle size, some sort of instinctive decision I guess! But the real point here is that the openness of the pattern actually comes from the yarn overs, not from using a big needle size.
So whatever yarn you pick, feel free to go up a needle size or two for the heck of it, and rest assured that you’ll end up with an open fabric because that’s the way it works!
Good luck and please let us know if we can help again!
Whitney
HI Sarah,
I think it would be fine to slip the first stitch. Try it on your gauge swatch and see if you like it. Same with the purl cast on: if you like the look of it, I say, go for it!
Thanks for your questions and please let us know if you have any others!
Whitney
Hi Jennifer C,
Cast on any even number and you're on your way!
And, please check out my answer above to all of you asking about knitting 2 together rather than purling…
Thanks for both questions and please let us know if you have more!
Whitney
Hi Sarah,
The Addi Lace needles are wonderful for very slippery yarns, like cashmere or alpaca, but their slightly slower shafts aren't as wonderful for "sticky" plant fiber yarns (like this one). So, for me, the Rockets, with their fast Turbo shafts and sharp Lace points, were the perfect combination for this project.
Great question! Please let us know if you have any others!
Whitney
Hi Genia,
It's called "paper", but Silk Wrapped Paper is actually linen, so yes, indeed, you can hand wash it and wear it in the rain!
Thanks for asking!
Whitney
I waited one day and your sold out of the yarn!!! Are you restocking any time soon, or is there a substitute that would work? Thank you!
It's really lovely! I wish I was a better knitter to be able to make one for myself!
Just want to say what a gorgeous scarf. It's the kind of scarf I'd stop someone in the street and ask where they got it. 🙂
Hi Amy-
Please email customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com and they can let you know when we expect more of this yarn. They can also email you when it comes in if you like!
Thank you!
Molly
The wrap is beautiful, but it's the close-up photos of that yarn that really made my jaw drop. What an amazing and unique yarn! I may have to do something like this, just for the chance to try it out.
I swatched it. Like Molly said above, the*yo p2tog* gives a bit different design than the k2tog. I think you might have to do a *yo ssk* to get the same look and that is WAY too much trouble! It'svnot so bag to do all that purling once you get in the swing of it. I have a bunch of Habu Cotton Gima that I've been trying to use, and I think this might be perfect!
I was wondering if you're able to knit this in the round as a cowl?
In response to the comment about a softer yarn, I made a similar scarf for my daughter a few years ago with Alchemy's Silken Straw. She liked it a lot–it was slinky rather than airy.
Just wondering how difficult it is to "hide" the woven-in ends. With this yarn, I think it would be difficult? But from your photos I can't tell.
Thanks. Love the project and would love to give it a try.
Hi Ellen,
Yes, I think if you cast on an even number of stitches and yo, p2tog every round, you'll be in business!
Thanks for asking. Sounds like a great plan!
Whitney
Hi Laura,
Weaving in the ends was really easy, actually. I just followed the grid of the stitch pattern, and the texture and whimsy of the yarn hid the tails very nicely.
Thanks for the great question and please let us know if you have any more along the way!
Whitney
I've been trying to get this project going, but it keeps coming out clumpy. Big holes where for the yos and clumps at the p2togs. I've tried different sizes and types of needles, adjusting my tension and grip, but nothing seems to help. Any suggestions?
Hi Sarah,
I'm having a hard time imagining what you mean… Could you send a picture? In the meantime, some questions I have… What yarn are you using? Is it very textural? Is it somehow not allowing the stitches to settle where they should? And, are you sure you're making the yo's properly, i.e. bringing the yarn over the right needle as shown in the Notes section of the pattern? And finally, is your problem something that resolves when you block your piece? Maybe try blocking your gauge swatch if you haven't already.
I'm sorry I don't have a definitive answer for you. I'm a little mystified, so please let me know how else I can help!
Whitney
please let me know when you get more of this gorgeous yarn in. This project is breathtaking!
Just love the open airy look and the beautiful yarn…. However , I am a combination knitter… My knits are through the back , when I purl I grab the yarn under and pull through… Will the pattern still work for me? Do I have to do the yarn overs differently? … I love the look of the stitch and want to maintain that look… Any suggestions would be appreciated…. Thanks so much
Hi Val-
Please send an email to customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com and they'll get in touch when the yarn comes back in stock.
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
Hi Rochelle,
I've never tried combination knitting (your question has piqued my interest!), but from what I've researched about it, I think you'll be just fine! Since the yarn still comes from the front when you purl, you will still have to bring the yarn up and over the right needle to make the yarn overs, exactly as this pattern explains. Try a little test swatch and let us know how it goes!
Thanks so much for your question and please let us know if you have more!
Whitney
I love the open weave and I was wondering how many stitches would I cast on to turn this shawl into a scarf? Also how many skeins?
Thanks so much for all the incredible patterns you share with us.
Carole
I love your website but cannot read your printing. It is very pale. Is there anyway you could get the person designing this website to make the ink darker? I have printed off many of your patterns and love your ideas enormously.
Hi Judy-
Sorry to hear that you're having this issue. We are in the process of redesigning some things on the Purl Bee and we'll keep your comment in mind as we move forward!
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
Hi Carole,
You should cast on the number of stitches per inch by the width you'd like your scarf to be. For example, the gauge here is 5.4375 stitches per inch x 10 inches (say) = 54 stitches.
And how many skeins you need would depend on how wide you make your scarf. It helps to figure the square inches. The area of this wrap is about 1000 square inches, and a scarf that's 10 x 60 inches would be 600 square inches, so you'd need 60% of 5 skeins (i.e. 3 skeins).
I hope this all helps you plan your scarf. Please let us know if you have any other questions and good luck!
Whitney
Silk wrapped paper? It looks amazing but can’t imagine how it feels. Is it soft? And how does it wash?
Hi M Maakeson-
This yarn isn’t really paper but more “paper like” as the introduction explains. It’s not soft exactly but it isn’t scratchy either, it’s cool and crisp like silk. And it handwashes well. Thank you for your question!
Best-
Molly
This is beautiful! Could you provide instructions for a circular loom?
You have a wonderful sense of style. I’m new to knitting and am inspired by the sophisticated designs on your site.
Hi Maureen-
We don’t have any experience with circular looms so unfortunately we can’t help you adapt the pattern for that. But thank you so much for getting in touch and for the kind words about the site!
Best-
Molly
I would like to use anzul’s mermaid for a softer feel. How much should I buy?
Hi Patty-
You would only need one skien of the Mermaid to make this!
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
I’m thrilled to find this stitch in English. I’m trying to make a cowl with this stitch but I haven’t worked out how to decrease or increase it yet. Can I pick your brain for experts tips? I would be most grateful if you had an idea!
Beautiful projects as ever! Thanks for sharing,
Camille
Hi Camille!
You’d simply need to choose an even number to make this pattern work!
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
How come the print feature doesn’t include photos?
Hi Nancy-
It should include them but they do take a little bit to load. I’d suggest trying another browser and if that doesn’t work trying it at a different location with a stronger internet connection. If those options don’t work for you you can always cut and paste the pattern into a Word or Text doc and print (or save as a PDF) from there.
Thanks for getting in touch and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Molly
While working on this wrap, you will find that the stitches tend to cling together. A slower steady knitting cadence is necessary to keep the stitches spread apart to help prevent this from happening. As a check, as you are purling across each row, the YO from the previous row will ALWAYS be the second stitch in your purl 2 together. If this isn’t the case, you have probably had a YO and purl 2 together stick together to look like one stitch. This isn’t an easy yarn to work with, but the beauty it produces is well worth the effort.
Hello! This is just lovely and may be the type of wrap I’d make for my daughter’s summer wedding. I see it doesn’t come in white. Is there something you would recommend that would be white? Thanks a bunch
Hi Donna!
You might want to try Habu’s Knitted Ramie Linen Tape! It has a similar texture.
Happy Knitting!
Thomas
Just got my 5 skeins in the mail from your snow day free shipping offer! I’m very excited to make this unique project.
OMG! How beautiful is this pattern? I could not wait to start it, and am working it with a self-striping yarn. It’s coming out beautiful, and is perfect for an on-the-go project. I imagine it would look greatvin ANY yarn! Thank you for sharing it!
Help…how do I unknit a yo p2tog??? I don’t want to start all over! Thank you.
Hello Londa,
Unknitting stitches can be very difficult especially when increases and decreases are involved. You absolutely do not have to start all over. When you unknit you want to go under the bridge and then go into the previous purl stitch. Make sure you keep your yarn in front. As your unknitting the row you want to make sure you have a stitch and yarn over alternating on the needle. If this isn’t clear to you, please give us a call at 212-420-8796 or stop by our NYC shop if you can!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Hi, this may sound silly, but how to we add a new skein of yarn as we finish another? Thanks.
Hello Melissa,
Thank you for the comment! When introducing a new skein you want to make sure you are at the beginning of a row. Leave yourself a tail of at least 8 inches and simply knit the first stitch in the row. This stitch will be very loose and feel a little uncomfortable but keep knitting the rest of the row. Once you’ve knit a couple of rows you can pull the tail to tighten up that stitch and weave the ends and you will have a seamless scarf!
Hope this helps and feel free to write back with any more questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
You indicate knitting across the row but the pattern is to purl across the row? So what is the best way to introduce a new skein via purl vs knit?
Thank you.
Hi Elsie,
Thanks for the question. What Jake means by “knitting across” is “continue in stitch pattern”. Often you’ll hear knitters say “knitting” as a general term. After you add the ball of yarn you’ll want to continue with the pattern as normal. Hope this helps!
-Adam
Has anyone tried crocheting with silk wrapped paper ?
Thanks ~ Barbara
Hi Barbara,
Thank you for the comment! I do not know anyone who has tried to crochet it but I’m sure it will work! I recommend just being gentle as it is a fairly delicate yarn and probably doing a looser crochet stitch with a larger hook. I’d love to hear how it works out!
Happy Crocheting!
Jake
For those having an issue with doing this with the purl stitch rather than the knit stitch, I recently changed my purl stitch to the Norwegian purl. What a difference! First of all, it goes just as quickly as the knit stitch, and secondly, for the first time in my life my gauge is right on!
This is a stunning pattern with this yarn and I know just the young lady I will knit this for!
Peggy
I just youtubed the Norwegian Purl Stitch… it looks so much faster than what I’ve been doing. It might crush the purl fear that I have 🙂
Thank you for sharing.
Love the Norwegian Purl. Thank you!
I LOVE this stitch. Going to cast on a scarf right away. Thanks so much. beautiful website.
Would this come out the same if the pattern were:
Row 1: P1, *yarn over, k2tog, repeat from * to last stitch, p1. ?
Hi R’Sue,
Thank you for the comment! You can absolutely do knit stitches rather than the purl stitches as written in the pattern. One thing to keep in mind is many people purl looser than they knit so I would recommend going up some needle sizes. I would try a gauge swatch on a size US 6 or 7 needle and see if your getting a similar gauge to our pattern!
I hope this helps and feel free to write back if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Dear Purl Bee,
What is the Norwegian purl stitch?
Thanks,
Peggy
Hi Peggy,
Thank you for the comment! A Norwegian purl stitch is just another method for creating purl stitches. Doing purl stitches in this method is a little easier to control tension and may be a little less awkward of a motion for doing this type of stitch. If you’d like to try it out here’s a great video tutorial; http://www.knittinghelp.com/video/play/the-purl-stitch-norwegian-continental
I hope this helps and feel free to respond if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
What is the yarn yardage required for this project? Also, what is the yarn weight? I may try to substitute.
Hey Terri,
Thanks for the comment. You will need about 600 yards of a sport weight yarn to make this project!
Feel free to respond if you need anymore suggestions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
What yarn are you substituting with? I would like to do the same!
I’m going to try it with Alchemy Silken Straw.
Hi Ellen,
That’s an amazing option for the project! It will be beautiful!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
This is the wrap that made me learn knitting. I would like to point out that this yarn is very slippery so be careful when sliding the P2Tog off the needle or you might pull the rest of your work with it. On the plus side, the yarn is sort of stiff and holds its shape so you can slide your work back on the needle.
I wonder if you should try using bamboo or wooden needles Edward, as they grip the yarn better.
I went to revelry and read several comments about the yarn not being very comfortable to wear on the skin – there were comments about the difference between Habu yarn N 24 and N 94.
Which is softer? Which is recommended for this pattern? I would have to order the yarn, without being able to feel it, so I’d like to know which is the softest…
Thank you!
Hi Sheri,
Thank you for the comment! These yarns are pretty much the same in softness. Both are linen based with silk threads wrapped around. The silk wrap paper (n-94) is a little stiff and scratchy when you work with it but like all linen yarns it softens and becomes drapier with age and washing. I haven’t noticed any difference in the softens between these two options though. If you want something that will definitely be softer I’ve recommended people try this pattern in Alchemy’s Silken Straw which works beautifully. You can view the color selection for that yarn here; https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/1408-Alchemy-Silken-Straw
I hope this aids your decision making and feel free to respond if you need anymore advice!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
This is just the most stunning wrap. I had never heard of Paper Silk. I will definitely do this right after I finish the socks. One question, would you recommend circulars or straight needles?
Hi Jeanne,
Thank you for the comment! You can use either type of needle for this project. Circular needles are nice because the project can fit more relaxed on the needles but the best option is really based on your personal preference!
I hope this helps and feel free to respond if you have any other questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
What is the best method to block this project? Is it ok to soak in lukewarm water then block? Don’t want to ruin all my work!
Hi Cindy,
Thank you for the comment! You can either do wet blocking by submerging it in water or spritz it with a spray bottle. I would use room temperature water for both options!
Good Luck and let me know if you have any questions!
Jake
Can I please check the needles used. I cannot see a 24inch US#4. Am I looking for the right thing?
Hi Jo,
Thank you for writing us! You can use any US 4 size needle with any cord length or straight needles. We recommend using the 20-24 inch because it fits nicely on that size without having too much excess cord. You can view our entire selection of needles here and select the one you think will be most comfortable for you!
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/8-knitting-crochet-knitting-needles
Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Could I use euroflax linen instead?
Hi Lila,
Thank you for commenting! I think the Euroflax linen would be an awesome yarn substitute. It will have a really nice earthy feel and drape really well.
I’d love to see what it looks like knit up!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Does this stitch “lock” into place. I have a similar wrap that I made for my daughter’s prom that just keeps getting longer and skinnier! There is no re blocking it into shape as the moment you pick it up it starts reshaping itself. I would love an optional design that would maintain its shape better.
Hi Margot,
Thank you for the comment! This is an issue that is not uncommon with a lot of knit designs. This project has actually held up a lot better than I had originally thought it would. Our store sample, which is handled all day everyday, has maintained it’s shape really well! There is something in the paper yarn that is kind of magical in this way.
I hope this answers your question and let us know if you have anymore questions!
Good Luck!
Jake
How would you go about blocking this? I have reservations about getting this anywhere near water! Am I just taking the ‘paper’ part of the name too literally?
Hi Hannah,
Thank you for the comment! We wet blocked our store sample and it was fine, just was handled very delicately. If your a really worried though I would try spritzing it with a spray bottle since you can lay it flat and have a little more control. The paper portion of the yarn does hold up to water but should always be handled with care!
Good luck and feel free to let me know if you need anymore suggestions!
Jake
Thank you ever so much! It’s knitting up a treat so far 🙂
How would you describe the feel of the yarn? Is it scratchy? stiff? Does it drape?
Hi Beth,
Thank you for commenting! The yarn is very unique and has some interesting qualities. It is not necessarily a classic definition “soft”, but it’s soft in the way that a linen yarn can be soft. It is fairly structural but when knit in this stitch pattern it creates quite a nice drape. While the scarf itself weighs almost nothing the yarn has a weighty feel in how it drapes. It also definitely softens with blocking and it does block fine, although should always be handled with care!
I hope this gives you a sense of how the yarn is. Feel free to respond if you have any more questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Do you think this will work in an infinity scarf? I would love to make one for summer. If so, do you know how many stitches I should cast on?
Thanks!
Hi Esther,
Thank you for commenting! Unfortunately this stitch pattern comes out different when it’s knit in the round. The only way to get the yarn overs to alternate the direction they slant is to flip the work which requires knitting flat. You can absolutely turn the scarf into a infinity scarf by seaming together your cast on and bind off edges, but it still needs to be knit flat.
I hope this helps and feel free to write back if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
I get your email newsletter & when I saw the picture of this (of course I don’t read just see) I thought this was made from jewelry making wire. Very interesting! Then I read on….. From silk I am sure that it is divine to wear! Love It!
I’m so glad your email newsletter highlighted this beautiful wrap, which otherwise I may miss it. I’d would love to try this as a scarf but I was wondering what you think if I use Linen wrap silk? Or cotton Gima? These two have the color I want to use for my friend. I love the structure of this.
Hi Betty,
Thank you for the comment! This pattern can be knit beautifully in a lot of different yarns. The Linen wrap silk would be a very interesting option, it is less structural than the yarns I usually suggest so it would have more of a super lightweight, ethereal effect. The Cotton Gima is more similar to the original yarn used in the pattern, however it’s a little heavier and more rigid so if you choose that yarn I would go up to a size 8-9 needle size. I definitely would do a gauge swatch with whichever yarn you choose in order to find the appropriate needle size to achieve the fabric quality you like.
I hope this helps with your decision and feel free to respond if you’d like anymore suggestions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
is there any other yarn you would recommend for this project? i’m not crazy about the variated colors. thanks.
Hi Sydney,
Thank you for the comment! There are some great solid colored alternatives for this project! Alchemy’s silken straw is a alternative that knit’s up beautifully in this stitch pattern. You can browse the color selection for that yarn here; https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/1408-Alchemy-Silken-Straw
Habu also makes a bunch of other yarns in silk, linen and cotton that mostly work beautifully; Specifically the Root Sizing Silk, The Silk Gima and The Ramie Knitted Linen Tape. You can browse those yarns here;
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/3-knitting-crochet-yarn?company=62
I hope one of these options suits you and feel free to write back if you’d like anymore suggestions!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Hi there.
Is there a PDF version of this pattern to print?
Thanks.
Hi Karin,
Thank you for the comment! To print the pattern click the print icon that is on the right hand side of the project page. It will prompt you to either print the pattern or download it as a PDF. You can also remove photos or take out parts of the patterns like the materials list if you’d like.
If you have anymore questions feel free to write us back!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
I’m doing a gauge for the open air wrap using the US4 but my gauge for 4″ is 14 sts., not the 21 3/4 sts written in your pattern. I’m wondering why such a big difference?! Any thoughts? Thanks.
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for the comment! This pattern is a little tricky to figure out the gauge. One thing to keep in mind is that since every stitch is a p2tog, whatever number of stitches counted in 4 inches should be doubled to accommodate the fact that two stitches are knit together. Also lace patterns depend a lot on how the piece is blocked out and the type of yarn used so if your using a substitute yarn it may react slightly differently than the silk wrapped paper. Since this is a scarf and you don’t have to worry about the fit I would just decide if you like the fabric your swatch creates and choose your needle size according to that. If you want to make sure your scarf is a certain width you can take the stitches per inch you count on your swatch and multiply that by 18 to get your cast on number, just make sure it’s an even number!
I hope this helps and feel free to write us back if you have anymore questions!
Best of Luck!
Jake
Thank you, Jake, for your suggestions.
I received habu silk wrapped paper today as well as the addition turbo rockets. I casted on 98 stitches and knit the first stitch, did the yarn over and had a great deal of trouble getting the needle in to purl the two stitches together. So, I started over and casted on more loosely. I had the same problem. I have done purse stitch 2 or 3 times before. I’ve never worked with anything so thin before. Any suggestions?
Hi Lorie,
Thank you for the comment! I do find that casting on loosely helps a great deal. Due to the yarns tape construction and linen base it is tricky to do the p2tog. I find that doing the first row of stitch pattern is the trickiest to do. I would just knit with extra care for the first couple rows, once you get a few rows in it gets progressively more comfortable and easier to work. If you are still finding it very difficult to knit I also recommend trying larger needles. Since this is a lace stitch pattern if the stitches are a little more open it does not negatively effect the finished project!
I hope these suggestions help and feel free to respond if you have any other issues!
Happy Knitting!
Jake
Hi! You suggest in a later post that using the Root Sizing Silk would also work for this pattern. How many skeins would you suggest and what size needle would you use?
Thanks!
Hi Julie,
I’d recommend getting seven skeins of the Root Sizing Silk.
For your needles, you may need to experiment a little. I’d start with the same size I used here (a US 4) and see how you like it. Since the finished wrap doesn’t need to fit you exactly, the needle size is more a matter of liking the fabric, not of gauge, so play around a little!
Thanks so much for your questions and please let us know if you have any more!
Whitney
I love the kasuri paper moire yarn. Could I pair this with something more rigid for this pattern?
Hi Suzy,
Sure! I think adding a strand of Habu’s Silk Stainless or Linen Steel would be very beautiful (and interesting!). Here are links to both of those yarns…
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/2979-Habu-Textiles-Silk-Stainless
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8061-Habu-Textiles-Linen-Steel
Another option would be to make the wrap with just the Kasuri Paper Moire, going for a more flowing drape.
Either way, it sounds like a knitting adventure! Let us know how it goes and thank you for your question!
Whitney
Hi!
I purchased 4 skeins of the Habu paper silk at your store for this project instead of 5 by accident. I am going abroad and won’t be able to get the fifth skein. How can I adapt this pattern to get the same wrap look without it becoming a scarf or a too short wrap?
Thanks!
Hi!
I’m beginning the open air wrap but stitches are not like the photo..I’m just working 1 knit,Yarn over,2purltog..
How can I send you a photo?
Simonetta
Hello Simonetta!
Please send us a photo so we can help you more thoroughly! Put it to my attention at customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com. What type of yarn are you using? If its the Habu that is recommended or any 100% animal fiber, blocking will make the pattern open up and become much more visible. This step is crucial for this open-weave pattern!
Thanks for writing in! -Alyson
I am knitting the “Open Air Wrap” for my daughter after she saw it in your Soho store this past summer. I did not buy the yarn while I was in NYC but found it in a local yarn store in northern Ca when I got home. I tried following the instructions from your site, but the needle size was way to small to get the same effect that I saw in your store. I increased the N size to US 7 to get the “airy look” I saw in the sample. I have since started over twice because the 98, then 78, stitches were way too wide compared to what I saw in the NYC store. I am now trying 48 sts. on N US 7 and it is approximating what I saw in NYC. I am using Habu N-84, Wrapped Silk 6p, color 9. Is this different than the yarn I saw in your yarn sample? Any thoughts greatly appreciated, thanks!
Hello Michele!
That yarn is slightly different from what we used in our original pattern! We used the Silk Wrapped Paper (seen here: https://www.purlsoho.com/silk-wrap-paper-n-94.html), not the Wrapped Silk. Many customers and co-workers have used this yarn successfully and enjoyed this texture as well! As with any lace pattern, usually blocking will help you open up the stitch pattern!
It sounds like you wanted the shawl to be not as wide as what you originally had started with the cast on on 98 stitches. Are you happier with the 48 stitch cast on? Let us know how it turns out and best of luck! -Alyson
Hey, I have 600m/100g skein of a really nice lace weight yarn. The gauge on the label says approx 6.5 stitches per inch on 3.5 mm needles. Would I be able to make this scarf out of this skein?
Hi Laura,
Thanks for writing in! It sounds like your yarn is roughly the correct yardage. I am unsure of the gauge as Habu does not provide a suggested gauge. For this pattern we got 21 3/4 stitches over 4 inches in pattern unblocked. I would recommend knitting up a swatch using your yarn to see if you are getting this gauge.
The only other consideration to make is that yarn that we used has a lot of structure. This helps maintain its look after blocking. As a substitute, we recommend Silken Straw or Euroflax. The silk in the first yarn and the linen of the second help provide structure to the open work of the shawl. If you are using a wool based yarn, please know that you may need to aggressively block it to maintain the look of this lovely shawl.
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I have made the open air scarf and love it.
What should I know to block the scarf without changing the look of the open?
Hi Shari,
Great question! You can wet block the wrap by submerging it in tepid water for 5 minutes or so and then laying the wrap out on a dry towel making sure that it is laid out as you would like the final shawl to look. Or you could lay the finished shawl out on a dry towel and sprtiz it with a spray bottle filled with tepid water. In both cases, leave the shawl to dry and then enjoy!
I hope that this information helps!
Cassy
YIKES! So: I’m doing the k instead of p and I swatched up to a six needle. OK: so I started on a straight needle and then switched to Addi Lace. FOR the life of me, I cannot keep my stitch count straight. After the fourth frogging, I’ve decided to add markers every 20 stitches with additional stitches at the first and last stitches, along with the last small group. Any other advice because I have SEVEN of these bad boys to make before my daughter’s wedding in August. Hi to Sophia Lehman. With gratitude, Donna
Hi Donna,
Thanks for writing in! It sounds like you are doing exactly what I would recommend, which is using stitch makers to keep track of your stitches. Sometimes it is just getting into the grove of the stitch pattern. For me this generally means sitting in a quiet room and saying my repeat out loud as I go for a few rows.
I hope this helps and best of luck on your SEVEN wraps!!!!
Cassy
Thank you so much for the encouraging words and the suggestion! Indeed, I was watching tv and trying to do this: not good. Am going to grab my bag and sit in a quiet room and count my stitches. I hope I didn’t bite off more than I can chew. I am considering, because of the ease of the pattern, doing two at a time after I complete the first one. Your thoughts? Thanks again! dob
Hi Donna,
I think that once you get into the groove of that pattern, you could easily have 2 cast-on and working at the same time. That is how a beat second sock syndrome and I find that it works well for me.
Best of luck!
Cassy
Thanks! I am making these as bridesmaids’ gifts for my daughter’s friends. I find that going back over the comments on a particular project is very helpful to me. Thanks so much for all your suggestions. It’s great!
Hi. I found this pattern on Pintrest and love it but the yarns mentioned are not available in the UK can you recommend an alternative I could use. Many thanks
Hi Jan,
Thanks for your interest in this pattern! You have a few options if you would like this yarn. Firstly, we ship to the UK and you can order with us online or call the store directly. Secondly, I found a few locations in the UK that carry Habu. Please see the link below:
http://habutextiles.com/store-listing
I would try these options before trying to find a different yarn. The yarn really makes this pattern!
Best,
Adam
I cannot seem to find a link to a saveable PDF version of this free pattern. Can you give directions to a link.?
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for writing us! You can click on the print button on the right-hand side of the page and in the pop-up window you can choose to save as a PDF. Best of luck on the project!
-Adam
Hi
I have some quince Sparrow. Do you think this would make a good yarn substitute?
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for writing in! I don’t see a reason Quince&Co Sparrow wouldn’t work for this project! I think it’s a great idea and the wrap will end up having a beautiful texture. Best of luck on the project!
-Adam
If I make this project with the Alchemy Silken Straw, how many skeins will I need to purchase? Also – and I know gauge informs this in the long run – what size needles do I need for the Alchemy yarn to begin getting the gauge?
Many thanks!
Hi Megan,
What a wonderful idea! I think the wrap will look stunning in the Silken Straw. You will need four skeins of the Alchemy and I would start swatching on a US 5. Best of luck on the project!
-Adam
It’s beautiful. When will you have quill yarn back in stock?
Hi Lori,
Thanks for the nice comment! We don’t know an exact date that we will get this yarn back in, but if you want us to call you when it does, we can add you to a call list for a particular color. Thanks again!
-Adam
I have purchased Rowan Puresilk for this project, a sport weight yarn with a U.S. size 6 needle recommendation. Do you suggest sticking with a size 6 needle and casting onto fewer stitches? If so, how many stitches would you suggest? Or should I just stick with the size 4 needle your pattern recommends? Thanks!
Hi Beth,
Thanks for writing in! I think that you should do a few swatches of the stitch pattern first and block them. Silk is a tricky fiber, as it tends to stretch out after blocking. Without seeing the yarn, it’s hard for me to suggest a needle size, but if the label says a US 6, I think I would gravitate toward that size or higher for this wrap. As for cast on, you’ll want to determine your stitches per inch on your swatches and multiply that by your desired width. Thanks again for writing in!
Best,
Adam
Any suggestions for the best cast-on for this project?
Hi Ruth,
A long tail cast on does just fine for this project. That’s what I used! Best of luck!
-Adam
OK, thanks!
Under “Notes,” do you have images in any other yarn? I find it impossible to see the detail in these photos. Thanks!
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for writing us! We have made this wrap in two yarns, the Linen Quill and the Habu Silk Wrapped Paper. Maybe you’ll be able to see the stitch definition better in the Linen Quill version. If the picture isn’t doing it for you, I’d try casting on 20 stitches and trying out the stitch pattern for yourself. Just know that blocking does wonders for this stitch! Best of luck on the pattern!
-Adam
Hello, bought the Linen Quill but the pics on the open air wrap story will not open for viewing, any suggestions?
Hi Laura,
Thanks for writing in. The pictures can’t be opened in another tab or window; they are just viewable on the page itself. I think this is what you are asking! Let me know!
-Adam
I started making this shawl in linen quill and loved the look of it. Unfortunately after knitting about 15 rows I made a mistake and was unable to “tink” it back. I wound up pulling it apart when I found that none of my more experienced knitting friends could “tink” these stitches either. I am afraid to begin again. Are there some other patterns you can suggest for me to use my 2 skeins of linen quill (or better yet, a surefire way to “tink” the YOp2tog?
Hi Patty,
I’m so sorry this happened! You can certainly put your stitches back on the needle after ripping out. The only thing to remember is that you will be picking up an “anchored stitch” (the purl) and a yarn over, which will float atop the needle with the leading leg of the stitch closest to you. You’ll insert your needle into the first stitch (a knit), then a yarn over, then a purl, then a yarn over, then a purl, and so on. A helpful tip is to look at the purl stitch and see where the yarn is going — this next loopy strand is your yarn over and it will also lead you to your next anchored purl. I hope this clears things up! Good luck and happy knitting! Let me know if you have any other questions!
-Adam
This yarn looks beautiful! However, I have some very thin recycled cashmere from a man’s sweater and I will try to double it to make this wrap. I lhave to work down my stash first before I can buy more yarn! Thanks for great patterns and a beautiful website.
THank you very much for your excellent knitting.
this “paper” is pretty stiff and scratchy. perhaps that is the intended beauty of the sculptural scarf. but can it be washed? blocked? does it soften?
Hi Maxine,
Thanks for writing in! You are quite right! The Habu yarn can feel quite stiff to begin with. The original sample in the shop softened up a lot with handling and became quite drapey and lovely pretty quickly!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
So if you are using linen quill. Do you use US 5 needles and cast on 98 stitches or is different ?
Hi Lori,
Thanks for writing in! The cast on is the same whether in Linen Quill or Habu. However, a US 5 needle works better with the Linen Quill, so this is the only difference. Thanks again!
-Adam
Do you YO before the K at the end of the row? Some how I am ending up with not enough stitches at the end of the second row? I took it off and am going to try again and be sure I counted correctly.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for the question! In this pattern you start with a knit and immediately yarn over and then purl 2 together. The yarn over always comes before the p2tog. At the end of your row you should end up with a yo, p2tog and then one more stitch, which you will knit. Is this what you are seeing? If not, you might have skipped the yarn over at the beginning or cast on the wrong amount. I hope this helps!
Best,
Adam
I just bought your Akron of Habu Kasuri Paper and would like to use it for this open air wrap. Will one skein be enough (476 yds)?
Hi Laura,
Thanks for writing in. I’m afraid you won’t have enough yardage to complete the pattern, but if you shorten the width, you should be able to get enough length. This wrap is rather wide so if you made the cast on around 70, you might be able to achieve 60″ in length or longer. Thanks!
-Adam
I love this pattern but would like to choose my own yarn bcecause I fear the silk wrap yarn will be too itchy for me and I’d like to buy some linen or other soft yarn locally (I don’t live in NYC). What other yarns/weights will work for this? Thank you so much.
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for writing in! We knit this lovely wrap up in an alternate yarn that I think would work better for you (https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2016/06/17/open-air-wrap-in-linen-quill/). We used out Linen Quill, which can be ordered on line. You could also substitute any fingering weight linen or use heavier weight and knit a gauge swatch to determine your cast on!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
thank you so much!
What would you recommend for putting a border on the scarf? I would want to stabilize the edges to keep it from rolling. Blocking never seems to be a permanent fix.
Hi Gwen,
Thanks for writing us. You could crochet the edges to keep it from rolling but I actually knit this sample and had no problems with curling. Once you wet block the Linen Quill it flattens out nicely — especially in this stitch. Best of luck and happy knitting!
Adam
Hi,
I love this pattern.!! Can I make it with worsted or chunkie yarn to use it in winter? I think it will be thick enough to be warm…. what do you think? If not, do you have a similar pattern for winter? Thank you
Hi Elida,
Thanks for writing us. You can certainly knit this in a worsted weight or a chunky yarn. All you’ll need to do is adjust the cast on amount so the wrap isn’t so wide. Best of luck and happy knitting!
Adam
The some of the photos make this look stiff, as in netting. Is it just the yarn shown, white with black, becausee the photos using linen quill looks soft and draping.
Hi Cherridah,
Thanks for the question. The yarn used in this post is made from linen paper, so it can be quite stiff. The Linen Quill is much softer so it drapes much more. Hope this helps!
Adam
Do you plan to offer linen quill in more colors?
Hi Eadie,
Thanks for reaching out! We did add quite a few new colors to our Linen Quill pallete this year. We are always looking for exciting new colors to add to our selection, but it may be a while since we updated this particular yarn so recently; however, if you receive our newsletters, you will be the first to know when we do!
Best,
Julianna
Ready to start. I have yarn.
Would the stitch pattern be any even number of stitches?
Hi Debra,
Thanks for writing in! You are spot on! You can use any even number of stitches to make this lovely wrap!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Kindly do a youtube tutorial on this pattern pls
Hello,
Thank you for your suggestion! I will pass along your request.
Warmly,
Marilla
Oh this pattern couldnt be any easier. Once you knit that first stitch its just yarn over, purl two together. Ya just gotta keep your finger on the yarn over when you do the purl2 together so you dont lose it. Otherwise it will be gone. Hope you get it now. Its so so fun and easy. Im using fingering weight wool. Good luck.
Hello: Sorry about my english I´m from Spain… I have one question.. if we do “Row 1: K1, *yarn over, p2tog, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.”
On Row 2 : I must do exactly the same, but it doesn´t look as in your pothograph because as you see on the pothograph you have : K1.. p2tog and yarn over, and when you are knitting you have first K1-p2tog yarn over,p2tog yarn over, and my result of knitting is K1 – yarn over p2tog,yarn over p2tog .Is it correct??
Hi Encarni,
Thanks for writing in! I think that I can clarify. This pattern is achieved be repeating row 1. The pattern will line up as expected. I would recommend knitting a small gayge swatch for a few inches and you will see the pattern emerge!
Best,
Cassy
It looks interesting! I like the youtube tutorial idea.
Hello! I was in the store a few weeks ago and I purchased your Spun Silk to make this wrap. I remember that the helpful staff member suggested I go up in needle size to a US7 or 8, and although I remember her suggesting I cast on fewer stitches, I can’t remember the modified number. Can someone help me with the calculations? So excited to get started!
Hi Dawn,
Thanks for writing in! You can use any even number of stitches to make this lovely wrap! If you would like to make a wrap the same width, you will need to knit a small gauge swatch, measure the number of stitches that you are getting per inch, multiply that number by 20 inches wide and cast on the nearest even number of stitches!
I hope that that helps!
Cassy
Can I send you a photo of my work?
I’m not sure to make the same stitch…
Hi Simonetta,
Thanks for writing in! You certainly can! Our email address is [email protected]
Best,
Cassy
I have forgotten that I’m using Silk paper wrapped N 94 and 3,5 mm needles ( =USA 4) ..
Are they too little ?
Simonetta( from Italy)
Hi Simonetta,
Thanks for writing in! We used the same yarn and needle size for this pattern so you should be all set!
Best,
Cassy
Could this pattern be done with a YO Knit 2together instead of Purl 2together? If so would it look different, because if you are purling every row isn’t that the same garter stitch as knitting every row?
Hi Anna,
Thanks for writing in! We did knit up a swatch using a k2tog instead of a p2tog before starting this project. We found that the p2tog created a much more open lace work that created the look that we liked best for this lovely wrap. You can certainly try using a k2tog on a small swatch and see if you prefer the look for your project!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi. I purchased a few skeins of the Habu Textiles Kasuti Paper Moore N-78C-2 (blue, purple)…it was love at first sight!! Is yarn appropriate to use to make this wrap? Should I mix it with another yarn like the Cattail silk?
Hello Claudette,
Thank you for writing us! I think the Open Air Wrap will be beautiful in your Habu yarn. No addition necessary!
Let us know how it goes and Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Is there any particular cast on method we should use for this pattern or is it just our preferred method? Thanks!
Hello Alisa,
Great question- It is your preferred method. If I were knitting it I would use a Long Tail Cast on.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Would it be possible to do this with the spun silk yarn?
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for writing in! If you would like to use a silk for this lovely wrap, I would suggest using out Cattail Silk. Spun Silk has quite a heavy drape and works better for more dense fabric than open work. The drape of the Spun Silk may not show the open lace work of the Open Air Wrap in the way you see here. The Cattail Silk is a less processed silk that still has a lovely drape but due to it’s texture will better show the texture here!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I only have 4 skeins of the linen silk wrap….how can I adjust this pattern for just 4 skeins?
Thanks
Hi Audrey,
Thanks for writing in! I can certainly help! If you have only 4 skeins, you can knit a thinner version of this wrap. I would suggest casting on 78 stitches and then following the pattern as written!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I am looking forward to doing OPEN AIR WRAP it looks like a pattern I have been looking for. I also will save my money to purchase some of the paper silk yarn Thanks for all you info.
Can I use Habu Root Sizing Silk N-6 and N-6b for this pattern? If yes, approximately how many stitches should I cast on in order to create the same size?
Thanks
Linda
Hi Linda,
Thanks for writing in! I think the Habu Root Sizing Silk would be a lovely substitute in this pattern! Both yarns knit to the same gauge so you should be able to follow the pattern as written; however, the Root Sizing Silk does have less yardage than Silk Wrapped Paper so I would recommend buying 7 skeins.
Warmly,
Julianna
Hi Julianna, for this pattern using Habu Root Sizing Silk, should I wet block the scarf after finish.
Thanks
Linda
Hi Linda,
I would definitely recommend wet blocking this wrap, regardless of yarn choice, to open up the lace pattern! Any open or lacy stitch pattern really benefits from blocking, and wet blocking is the most effective method.
Best,
Julianna
I’m planning to purchase the silk wrap paper N-94 for this project. Should this be wound into a ball before using?
Hi Sondra,
Thanks for writing in! The Silk Wrap Paper N-94 comes in a ball that you can knit from directly without rewinding it.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
My scarf has grown wider from the cast on edge and I cast on less stitches. Which cast on is best for this scarf, and does the width shrink when blocked?
Thank you.
Hello and thanks for writing in!
It is quite usual for the actual width of a knitting project to be larger than the cast on alone appears to be on the needles, so the best way to adjust the width of the wrap would be to knit a gauge swatch. The stitch we used for the Open Air Wrap actually blocks out even wider, so I would recommend also blocking your gauge swatch before measuring it to determine your stitches per inch.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I was so happy when I had the opportunity to visit your establishment last month!
What cast-on method do you advise? I used my “go too” twisted German cast-on but I am worried that it looks a bit tight.
Thanks.
Hello Ange,
Thank you for reaching out! I would recommend using the long-tail cast on for this wrap.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I would love your helping in figuring out what loops to pick up if I drop a stitch. I have been working on this scarf forever and I’m having trouble finishing it because every time I drop a stitch, I’m not picking up correctly and I am ending up with a mess instead of this gorgeous weave! Argh.
Hi Emmi,
I’m sorry to hear you are having trouble! Picking up dropped stitches in a lace or yarn-over-heavy pattern can be very challenging, even for advanced knitters. Unfortunately we don’t have a tutorial on this technique and there aren’t many useful videos out there, since the method for picking up a dropped stitch in lace is very dependent on the exact stitch or pattern. Even though it is more time consuming, I would recommend tinking, or working backward one stitch at a time, to take out a row or two of knitting as necessary to fix dropped stitches, rather than trying to pick them up.
Also you may find that you have more success with a different type of needle when working lace patterns! I like to use a super pointy needle when knitting patterns like our Open Air Wrap, and many knitters also find a grippier needle material, such as bamboo, to be helpful. Either Addi Turbo Rocket or Addi Bamboo needles would work well!
Best of luck, and I hope that helps!
Julianna
I live near a lace museum in the San Francisco Bay Area, and got a great tip from a lace-knitter I met on a tour. She said that periodically, if I knew the lace-knitted garment was correct, take the time to thread some waste yarn through that row before continuing. That way, if tinking or ripping out is necessary because of a dropped stitch, at least you know at which row the work was in good shape. The waste yarn also can be used as a holder of a row, so if done correctly all you need to is rip to that row, then reinsert your needles and proceed! Also, keep doing this periodically….and remember, the point of knitting is to knit, a useful object at the end is just icing on the cake!
this is a great advise! thanks to both erin and juliana! btw, i finished it and i love it! planning to make another with cotton dk yarn. <3
Hi
After several rows – just measured and my 98 casted on stitches are 38 inches.
I’m using the Habu linen silk yarn, US 4, 3.5 mm needles as called for.
First row is so difficult, I kept it loose so it would be easier to purl 2 together.
Do I start over casting on 48 ?
Suggestions?
Thanks!
Jittery knitter
Hi Holly,
Thanks for reaching out! This stitch is quite stretchy in every direction, so you may find when you have a bit knitted the weight of the yarn will stretch the wrap longer and narrower than it appears when only a few rows have been worked. I would recommend knitting and blocking a swatch before starting over. We did block our finished wrap to a narrower stitch gauge, so measuring a blocked swatch will give you a better idea of what the finished width of your wrap will be. If your blocked gauge does not match ours, I would recommend adjusting your needle size down as necessary rather than changing the cast on so that the lacy stitch pattern doesn’t turn out too lacy!
Best of luck and I hope that helps!
Julianna
Thanks! I’m carrying on, hoping for the best. No matter how many rows I knit it always seems to remain about 2” wide. I’m so curious to see if it’ll ever grow.
When this scarf is completed, can it be twisted and sewn together to create a moebius scarf?
Hi Denise,
Thanks for writing in! This wrap is completely reversible so it would make a lovely mobius cowl!
Best,
Julianna
Would it be possible to do this in the round to create an infinity scarf instead?
Hi Alissa,
Unfortunately, we do not have instructions for working this stitch in the round; however, you could certainly join it into a tube after knitting it flat, either by seaming the cast on and cast off edges together or by starting with a provisional cast on and joining the two ends with a three needle bind off or kitchener stitch.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Can I use a #4 needle instead of #5
Hello Elizabeth,
Great question! Your can use a US 4 Needle rather than a US5. This will change your gauge and create a denser knit.
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I love how this looks. Is it possible to make a triangle shawl with this stitch pattern? And could any fingering weight yarn be used?
Thanks!!
Hello Michelle,
Thank you for reaching out! You can use any fingering weight yarn to knit up this wrap. If your willing to do a bit of experimenting i’m sure this could be worked into a triangle scarf. You will need to add a border of some kind to work in your decreases or increases (depending on your cast on edge).
I hope this helps and let us know how it goes!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Help my low spatial intelligence, PS friends!
What would happen if I, a slow purler, knit this as *yo, k2tog* rather than p2tog? Doable?
Thanks.
Hi Maud,
Great question! Although it doesn’t seem like it would, the stitch actually turns out quite different when worked as k2tog instead of p2tog. Since the decreases are worked over such an open fabric, they act more like stockinette stitch than garter stitch, even though you are repeating the same stitch on both sides, so the knit version of the stitch turns out much smoother and has a more diagonal appearance, while the purl version has a more textured, open look. It is still a pleasing fabric though, so you can always work a swatch to see whether you prefer the knit or purl version!
Best,
Julianna
Many thanks for this free pattern, it looks delightful, I can’t wait to get started.
Try as I may I cannot seem to get this pattern to print.
I had the last page with the pattern in brief, and when I printed it I just got a photograph.
Is it possible for you to email the directions?
I am contemplating which yarn to purchase.
Thanks I have greatly enjoyed reading the comments and your replies.
Hi Karen,
Thanks so much for writing in! If you’re on a desktop version of the site, you will find a “print” icon in the right column just below the date and tags. If you’re on a mobile version of the site, you will find a “print” icon below the pattern and above the comments.
Follow the easy on-screen instructions to delete whichever parts of the pattern you don’t want to print or save. For example, you may decide to shorten the pattern by omitting certain images or the list of materials. To remove images, click the drop down next to the image icon and change from 100% to 0%.
Of course, if you are still having difficulties, please drop us a line at [email protected] so we can help you get a copy of the pattern. Once you decide which yarn to order, you can also leave a note in the comment section of your order asking us to print a copy of the pattern for you and we would be happy to include it!
Best,
Julianna
Question: how many yards are there in a Tussock yarn?
Hi Natasha,
Thanks for writing in! Each 25g skein of Tussock has 328 yards.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
How many stitches were cast on for the sample Open Air Wrap in Tussock on your website? Ordered 3 skeins and can’t wait to start.
Thank You,
Diana
Hello Diana,
Thank you for reaching out! You can follow the original Open Air Wrap Pattern to create the Tussock version. You will cast on 98 stitches.
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I am a relitively new knitter. I understand the yarn over and p2tog. My question is how do you do the last yarn over then knit the last stitch. Do I wrap the yarn all the way around and then back through to where it would be to knit? Not sure if that makes sense to you. Thanks
Hello Nancy,
Thank you for writing! Because you are repeating the sequence “yarn over, p2tog” over and over until your last stitch there is no yarn over between your last p2tog and your last stitch. I hope this clears things up for you and let me know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Hi,
Thank you for making this beautiful stitch available. I have made the Open Air wrap twice. I like it so much I would like to make it in the round for a cowl, but I am not sure how to do it: purl on one side and knit the other; or purl one side and knit through the back; or just purl…???
Thank you for your help,
Karen
Hello Karen,
Thanks you for reaching out! Unfortunately, we do not have instructions for working this stitch in the round; however, you could certainly join it into a tube after knitting it flat, either by seaming the cast on and cast off edges together or by starting with a provisional cast on and joining the two ends with a three needle bind off or kitchener stitch.
You could experimenting with alternating between knit and purl from round to round.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Do you have a preferred method for weaving in loose ends on such an open fabric?
Hi Janis,
Great question! I like to use Duplicate Stitch when weaving in ends in a lacy stitch pattern, although it’s not quite as straightforward in lace as it is in our tutorial! If you follow the grid of the stitches as best you can and avoid taking the yarn straight across any yarn over holes, the texture off the stitch and yarn should disguise your ends quite well.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I’ve been cricketing for 2 years and chose this as my first knitting project. When looking up on youtube how to do a p2tog it mentioned it was a decrease so just want to verify this won’t decrease with each row.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for reaching out! Although you are correct that a P2Tog is a decrease, a yarn over is an increase and each row of this wrap has an even number of p2togs and yarn overs which balance each other out so your stitch count stays the same.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
What method of blocking do you suggest with Habu 100% linen?
Hi Maxine,
Thanks for writing in! For this wrap, I would suggest wet blocking to open up the lace pattern; however, in a denser knit, 100% linen responds very well to machine washing and drying!
Best,
Julianna
Hi and thank you for this lovely pattern. I am working on it (with a silk/wool blend) and am beginning to panic about binding off. How do I bind off this stitch with all of these yarn-overs? If I purl them together without a yarn-over the bind off row will be too short? Help! 🙂 I clearly don’t understand . . . .
Hi Laura,
Thanks so much for writing in and for the kind words! You will not need to add any yarn overs during the bind off because the yarn overs from the previous row will be on the needle, and you will be treating each stitch and yarn over as individual stitches while binding off, so you will have the correct number of stitches. It is still quite important to bind off loosely, so I would suggest binding off with a larger needle just to be on the safe side!
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Whew! Thank you! This most definitely clears things up, and thank you also for the tip about using a larger needle to bind off.
OMG, I am so frustrated with this pattern. I made a mistake and now I cannot seem to be able to start it back up. Could someone explain how to undo stitches because I seem to have a huge hole and I have no yarn overs anywhere on the row. Please HELP!!
Hi Lydia,
Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear that you are running into problems! It sounds like you dropped a stitch or two which created the hole, and when you were trying to go back you lost the yarn overs. For a lacy stitch like this, it’s best to tink, or un-knit one stitch at a time. As you are working backwards, follow the working yarn with your needle into the stitch it’s coming from – if you follow it in correctly, you will be undoing a p2tog and will find yourself with two stitches on your needle after undoing one, one of which will be a yarn over. It is tricky to explain, but if you search for “tinking lace” you should find several helpful videos on how to undo decreases like this.
Once you are back on track, it might be a good idea to place a lifeline every few inches so you have a safe spot to go back to if you make another mistake. To do so, after completing a row, thread a piece of unwaxed dental floss or embroidery floss through all the stitches on the needle, including the yarn overs. If you have to go back, you can then safely unravel your work to this point without losing any stitches.
Best of luck and I hope that helps!
Julianna
I would love to purchase your Tussock . However I am so allergic to wool in any form I am afraid to order. Can anyone suggest a replacement.
Hi Jacquelyn,
Thanks for reaching out! I certainly understand your concern, but mohair is actually not wool! Mohair does not come from sheep, but from angora goats. Like any animal fiber, if you have an allergy or sensitivity to mohair or goats, Tussock would aggravate that sensitivity, but most people find it to be a lovely soft and fluffy fiber – in fact, I know several people with wool sensitivities who have no problem with mohair, since it comes from a different animal.
If you prefer not to take a chance, the yarn we used in our original Open Air Wrap, which you can see above, is Habu Silk Wrap Paper, which is all linen and silk. Another option would be to use Cattail Silk which also has no trace of wool or mohair.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
How do you weave in the ends in such an open fabric? Doesn’t seem like the ends would stay woven.
I’m looking forward to visiting the shop in June!!!! Really looking forward to seeing all your wonderful products.
Hello Jeanne,
Thank you for reaching out- this is a great question. You will be following the same idea as with any other knitted garment, this means you will want to follow your stitches as you weave in. For this stitch, I would stick to the stitches that are dense and only go over the yarn overs a couple of times.
I hope this helps and let us know if we can clarify anything.
We look forward to seeing you in June- happy knitting!
-Marilla
For knitters who are more comfortable with knit stitches than purl stitches, and since every row is the same (i.e., there is no “right side” or “wrong side”), I imagine that one could easily change the pattern as follows: P1, *yo, k2tog, repeat from * to the last stitch, p1. The only difference, besides exchanging knit and purl stitches, is that you would wrap the yarn in the other direction when doing the yarn over (and of course bind off in knit stitch instead of purl).
Hi Sean,
Thanks for reaching out! We did knit up a swatch using a k2tog instead of a p2tog before starting this project. We found that the p2tog created a much more open lace work that created the look that we liked best for this lovely wrap. You can certainly try using a k2tog on a small swatch and see if you prefer the look for your project!
Best,
Julianna
The description provided for the Habu Silk Wrapped Paper says
“This light, soft linen fiber is exquisitely wrapped in delicate silk for this one-of-a-kind fiber (nope, no paper involved!)”
yet your response to an enquiry from a knitter saying the yarn looked stiff, like netting says the Habu Silk Wrapped Paper can be stiff.
The photos of the yarn skeins certainly make it appear stiff. So, how can a yarn be both stiff and soft? Which is it?
Thanks
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out! Habu Silk Wrap Paper is quite structural and stiff at first, but like all linen, will soften up as you wash and wear the wrap. Despite this stiffness, the fibers used in Silk Wrap Paper are all quite smooth so the wrap is still comfortable to wear and will only get softer with time!
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I end the row with only one purl stitch and one ending knit stitch. I cannot understand why I don’t have two stitches to do before the ending knit stitch. What am I doing wrong?
Hello Dorothy,
Thank you for reaching out! This is very mysterious- the two things that come to mind that might be happening are either your stitch count is off or perhaps you could be forgetting to do the knit stitch at the beginning of your row.
I hope this helps and let us know if you continue to have any issues!
Warmly,
Marilla
Great pattern, thank you so much! I am thinking of using Habu Flat Silk wrapped silk – do you think it would be as nice? My reasons for substituting yarn is that the Linen Quill is a little too scratchy for me, & the Habu N-94 seems too stiff. Or would the Cattail Silk be better? The Habu flat silk just seems so interesting. Thanks.
Hello Anne,
Thank you for reaching out. I think this wrap in Habu’s flat silk would be stunning! I say stick with your instincts.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Thanks for your encouraging reply. You seem to have only 3 skeins of the Habu silk wrapped silk at the moment. When will you be getting more in? Will you be getting other colors too? (I like the green). Would it be possible to email me when it is back in stock? Thanks for your support, and PS’s great patterns. Best wishes, Anne
Hello Anne,
Thank you for your kind words! We wont be getting more colors of this yarn in stock. However hopefully we will be getting more of the colors that we do carry. I would contact [email protected] to see if they have a rough estimate.
Thank you and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I would like to make the open air shawl with Tussock. How many yards do I need?
Hi Elyse,
Thanks for reaching out! For our Open Air Wrap in Tussock, we used 3 skeins, or 984 yards. You can find all the details on the project page!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi I am currently waiting for my silk paper wrap to arrive so I can start knitting my wrap. I have been practising the pattern and found the cast on quite tight so used a larger needle to cast on and found that this seemed to work ok. Do you think that this will effect the wrap when I use the silk paper wrap.
Also I read in one of the earlier comments that this product creates quite a stiff garment. Will it soften when blocked.
Kind Regards
Claire
Hi Claire,
Thanks for reaching out! Casting on with a larger needle is a quite common trick for those of us who tend to cast on tightly and is a perfectly acceptable solution to the problem! Silk Wrap Paper does maintain its crisp structure even after blocking, but it does soften enough that the wrap is comfortable to wear.
I hope your yarn arrives soon, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi, thank you for the lovely pattern! However, the k2tog look shifted on your photos (as opposed to being in line) – impossible for me to obtain the same with an even number of stitches.
Where is my mistake?
Cheers,
Carina.
Hello Carina,
Thank you for reaching out! You are correct, from row to row your yarn overs will be on top of you p2tog. This happens because your last two stitches are P2tog and knit one. This means that when you turn your work and begin your next row, you are knitting your first stitch and then doing a yarn over.
I hope this makes sense and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
What brand of needles would you suggest?
I like the tips of the one you are using in the photo.
Thanks!
Hello Alex,
Thank you for reaching out! We knit this wrap up with Addi Turbo Rockets .
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
As you need 3 hanks of Tussock yarn for the open air wrap pattern, how do you join a new hank when needed as is mohair and silk, do you do a Russian join, tie a knot, spit splice, what would you recommend?
Hi Gina,
Great question! We like to join the new yarn by simply starting to knit with the new strand, as we show in our Adding a Ball of Yarn tutorial, and then weaving in the ends later. Although there is a bit more work because you do have to weave in the tails, this is a nearly invisible yet very secure method for adding new yarn!
Best,
Julianna
I would like to do this scarf in Tussock, so do I still use #4 needles, casting on 98 stitches, and do I need 5 skeins, or how many? How can I match the dimensions of the black and white yarn for this pattern in Tussock yarn?
Hi Deb,
Thanks for reaching out! For our Tussock version of the Open Air Wrap, we did use US 4 needles and follow the original pattern exactly as written, using 3 skeins of Tussock. Tussock blocks out a bit wider than Silk Wrap Paper, but if you would like a narrower wrap, you could cast on 88 stitches.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Would cattail silk work for this pattern?
Hello Corey,
Thank you for reaching out! Cattail Silk would work beautifully for this pattern.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I’m thinking of using Line Weight for this pattern because I love the colors. Do you think it would work well? Should I change the needle size?
Hello Megan,
Thank you for writing! This will be an easy substitution, with no necessary adjustments.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi!
Do you think Habu’s N-85 Tweedy Silk could work for this pattern?
Thanks!
Tali
Hi Tali,
Thanks for reaching out! I would recommend knitting a gauge swatch in pattern to make sure, but it does look like it will turn out the correct gauge for this pattern!
Best,
Julianna
This is the first pattern I bought from PS. I bought the yarn too, but was afraid of messing it up I knit this in other, cheaper yarns. I love the look and drape of this. I’m making it again this summer.
Best part… this pattern is my go to for Zoom meetings.
I have 270 yards of linen. I like this wrap. How many stitches should I cast on? How many yards are on your skeins? If this is not enough yarn do you have a suggestion what I could knit with this?
Hi Sieglinde,
Thanks for reaching out! Our wrap used 590 yards of yarn, so you do have quite a bit less yardage; however, if you don’t mind a narrower wrap, you could cast on 44 stitches and still knit the wrap to the same length as ours!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hello – although it’s hard to argue with free, is there a way that you could post your patterns so that they could be printed more efficiently? I’ve tried twice to print patterns from your site and I end up with pages of pictures and background story and only a page or two of what I really need to knit the pattern. Thanks for considering this!
Hi Jo,
Thanks for reaching out! You can use our print function to select which images and sections of the pattern you do and do not want to print! To remove images, click the drop down next to the image icon and change from 100% to 0%, or to remove sections from the pattern such as the description or story, simply click on the paragraphs you wish to remove from the printed or PDF pattern.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
This is so incredibly helpful! I wish I’d asked this question years ago. I could have saved a couple of trees! Thank you very much, Julianna ❤️🧶❤️
I knit faster than I purl, so to change the pattern to knitting, I did a swatch as written, and another swatch using *rev YO, k2togtbl* which appears to replicate the pattern nicely. My only question now is, given that I’m knitting instead of purling, is it better to go with K1 for the selvages as written, or should I P1? BTW, I’m doing this in Line Weight, and I think it’s going to be scrumptious! Thanks for your help!
Hi Penelope,
Thanks for writing in, and I’m glad to hear you have found a knitted variation of this stitch that you are happy with! Since the fabric is reversible other than the selvage stitches, I don’t think it’s necessary to purl them, but I would probably try out both version of the selvage in a swatch just to make sure!
Best,
Julianna
Hi, I would like to make this shawl in white tussock for my daughter’s wedding – would like it to be a bit larger approximately 27” X 79”. Can you help me with how many stitches to cast on and how much to buy?
Thank you.
Hi Charlie,
Thanks for writing in, and what a lovely project! For a 27″ wide wrap, you will need to cast on 118 stitches, and you will need five skeins of Tussock.
I hope that helps, and please do let us know how it turns out!
Julianna
I’m knitting this one In Tussock (3 skeins). I’m assuming:
Size 4 needles
Cast on 98 stitches
Single strand (rather than double)
Is that correct?
Hi Anne,
I am happy to help! This is all correct! For the Tussock version, you will use US 4 needles, a single strand of Tussock and the same cast on as the original pattern above!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I am knitting the Tussock version and having a real problem with the yo P2togther off the cast on edge and was wondering what you would think about doing a row or 2 straight knitting before starting the actual pattern.
Also, specifically, what US 4 needle did your knitter use?
Hi Marilyn,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, I think you could do a single knit row before starting the lace, as long as you also knit one row before casting off so the two ends match. I’m afraid I don’t know what brand of needles our sample knitter used, but I would suggest using Addi Turbo Rocket needles for this project. They have a sharper tip than regular Addi Turbo needles, which should make it a bit easier to get into those stitches!
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi!
I love the colors in your sweetgrass collection! Would this yarn be suitable for the Open Air Wrap? Is it “structured“ enough to “accentuate the lace” as Cassy mentioned it should be in one of her comments for this pattern?
Thank you!
-Y
Hi Yuliya,
What a wonderful idea! Yes, I think Sweetgrass would be lovely for this wrap! The wrap won’t have the same crisp structure as the original wrap here, but the drape should be similar to our Open Air Wrap in Linen Quill!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
I could really use some help. I’m a relatively new knitter. I fell in love with dah doh cotton tape yarn. I saw that someone made this wrap using this cotton tape. I’m wondering how many stitches to cast on and on what size needle? I have 688 yards.
Thanks so much for your help.
Hi Jill,
Thanks for reaching out! I’m afraid I’m not familiar with that yarn, but if it is not fingering weight, I would recommend knitting a swatch in pattern using a needle one or two sizes larger than is recommended on the label. You can then measure your stitches per inch, multiply that number by 18 inches and round to the nearest even number to determine how many stitches to cast on. It’s hard to say how much yarn you will need when altering the gauge of a pattern like this, but our original wrap used 984 yards. If you end up casting on fewer stitches than we did you may need less yardage, but 688 yards might be a bit short. You may want to consider making your wrap narrower so that it doesn’t turn out too short.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Do you have any recommendations for casting on? I tried using a larger size needle for my swatch, but the cast on stitches are still *way* tighter than the stitch in pattern.
Hi Monika,
Thanks for reaching out! You might want to try working your cast on over two needles held together if just moving up a few needle sizes isn’t loosening things up enough. I also often find that a long tail cast on can be manually stretched fairly easily, so you might want to try giving your swatch a few tugs to see if you can get the cast on to match the width of the stitch!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hi there!
I keep making a mistake, and I’m having a really hard time “unknitting” a few stitches to see what I did wrong. As soon as I unknit the p2tog, I then lose the yarn over. I’ve been having to pull out the whole thing to start over! Any tips on not losing the yarn over when unknitting a few stitches? (I hope this makes sense!)
Thank you!
Nancy
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for reaching out! It can be quite tricky to take out stitches in this type of lace! I would recommend un-knitting, or tinking, one stitch at a time, and making sure that the tip of your left hand needle is going into both stitches in the p2tog before slipping anything off the needle. Hopefully this will help you catch the yarn overs!
Best,
Julianna
This looks so beautiful. I’m a relative beginner and am wondering what length circular needles would be best to use?
Hi Elizabeth,
Thank you so much for the kind words! You could use either a 24″ or 32″ circular needle for this pattern. If you are ordering a new needle, I would probably go with the 24″ needle!
Best,
Julianna
Hey, is it possible to get this pattern in german?
Hi Manja,
Thanks for reaching out! At present, our patterns are only available in English. We certainly appreciate the request!
Best,
Julianna
Can you show how to knit this left handed?
Hi Shauna,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately we don’t have a left handed tutorial for this pattern. If you’re just starting out, I would recommend trying to learn to knit the same way a right handed person would, as many left handed knitters follow the same instructions using the left hand instead. Because knitting is a two-handed activity you will still have to use your right hand either way, and as you start knitting more complicated patterns, it will probably become more and more difficult to reverse the instructions. I hope that helps!
Happy knitting!
Gaby
My left-handed mother was a self-taught knitter. She discovered in her fifties that she was knitting in the Continental style.
I knit in Continental style as well but that’s because I have crocheted for decades. I am in year 2 of knitting
Hi! what method of casting-on should I use with Tussock yarn?
thanks!
Hi Heather,
Thank you for writing in! The basic Long Tail Cast On is our cast-on method of choice for almost any project, including ones that use Tussock. Happy knitting!
Best,
Gaby
So I am what I would call a very advanced beginner – I love lace patterns and knitting in the round. This pattern has me stymied because no matter HOW carefully I count this out I always end up with one extra stitch. I’ve checked my YOs – especially the first one thinking I was somehow messing it up – but have followed your (excellent) pics and some vids. Still, that darned extra stitch. Any thoughts? I am totally flummoxed. Many thanks!
Hi Brenda,
Thank you for reaching out with this question! I would love to try figuring this out with you, but I just need a bit more information. At which row are you noticing this extra stitch? Also, until we figure out where your extra stitch is coming from there is no need to cast-on for the full pattern, a small swatch will suffice!
Best,
Gaby
Hi Gaby,
I was having the same problem and realized that I was doing a YO between the P2Tog and the last knit stitch. There is no YO here between the last 2 stitches. Hope this helps.
Hi Vanessa,
Thank you so much for the tip – hopefully this will be helpful to many other knitters!
Best,
Julianna
Hi! If I use Sweetgrass Fine for this project, do I still use a size 4 needle? Thank you!
Hi Lauren,
Thanks for writing in! Since Sweetgrass Fine is a laceweight yarn, I think this pattern would be better on a US 2 or 3, but the best way to find out is to knit a gauge swatch! Once you decide which needle size looks the best with Sweetgrass Fine, you can then measure your stitches per inch and multiply that either by 18 inches if you didn’t block your swatch or 20 inches if you did, and round to the nearest even number to determine how many stitches to cast on.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
I fell in love with the open air wrap and have purchase the tussock to work this pattern. Beautiful! I have a question – I don’t see in mentioned in the pattern so I am assuming you use one strand Tussock. It is so fine I wanted to make sure I shouldn’t be knitting with two strands. Thank you in advance for your assistance!
Betty
Hi Betty
Thanks for writing in! You are correct that you only use one strand of Tussock to knit this gorgeous wrap! Hope this helps and happy knitting!
Best
Jessica
Thanks so much!
Any chance you can add a video? I’ve looked at other p2tog videos and cannot figure this out based on your directions.
Hi Jemi,
Thanks for reaching out! For this pattern, you will be working ordinary p2tog decreases, as we show in the first half of our Purl 2 Together (p2tog) + Slip Slip Purl (ssp) tutorial.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I purchased LInen Quill to make this pattern but where can I find the exact instructions for the linen Quill?
Please advise asap.
I need to make this for a gift.
Thank you!
Hi Lois,
Thanks for writing in! You can find our Linen Quill version by clicking right here! The only modifications we made were to change the needle size to a US 5 which alters the gauge slightly. Other than that, you will follow the pattern as written above!
Best,
Julianna
I bought this yarn from your shop 12 years ago! I have 2 skeins that I’d love to knit and I love this piece. It looks like I don’t have enough but is it possible to adapt this with less yarn somehow? If so can you please tell me how? Ive decided to FINALLY knit it this week!
Hi Harkamal,
So exciting to finally pick up the project! It’s never too late and if you purchased the original silk wrap paper yarn, it looks like we still carry some colors here (https://www.purlsoho.com/silk-wrap-paper-n-94.html) if you’re interested in making the full version. We used 5 skeins to make the wrap so 2 likely wouldn’t be enough to make something close to the finished size. I hope that helps with what you’re planning!
All the best,
Zha Zha
Hi. I am finally getting to the end and have a question regarding the bind off: when you say purl each stitch, does that mean that you purl each pair of stitches that you had purled as p2tog or do you purl each individual “loop”, meaning ignoring that they were purled as as pairs? I hope it makes sense… Thank you!
Hi Stephanie,
When binding off for this pattern, purl each individual loop loosely.
I hope this helps!
Oscar
I’m using Quince & Co Sparrow to make an abbreviated version of this. How do I add a new skein without it being glaringly obvious?
Hi Cathy,
Thanks for writing in! This is always a tricky problem in open lacework! I would recommend joining your new yarn at the very beginning of a row so you can weave the two tails into the selvage stitch in opposite directions to avoid creating a bulky spot.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I’m in love with this pattern! I’m considering using Posy – any thoughts?
Thanks – Constance
PS- thanks for getting me through this global pandemic. Can’t wait to come in as soon as you open up again. Big love to all of you at Purl Soho!
Hi Constance,
Thank you so much for the very kind words! The day we can safely welcome everyone back to our store can’t come soon enough! We haven’t tried using Posy yet for this wrap, but it is the correct weight and blocks out beautifully, so I think it will be really lovely. It is ever so slightly thicker than the fingering weights we have knit the Open Air Wrap out of in the past, so I would try a swatch in pattern before casting on the full wrap to see if you prefer it on a US 4 or 5!
I hope that helps, and please do let us know how it turns out!
Julianna
I have 2 skeins of Great Adirondack Yarn Co. DK cotton that I think would look very pretty in this pattern. The yarn isn’t typical cotton, this has a nice give to it. Total is 630yd. Wondering if I need to go up in needle size to get the lace effect, as well as change the CO #. All too often I tear out a project 3-5X trying to get the right size and it would be nice to avoid that. Thoughts?
Hi Shari,
Thanks for reaching out! I would recommend working up a gauge swatch with the stitch pattern in the cotton and play around with the recommended needles size and maybe a size or two up to see how it works up! Depending on which you like the best and if you decide to go up in needle size you can adjust the cast on from there!
Feel free to reach out with any more questions you may have, happy knitting!
Gianna
Hello!
I’m working this in Posy. I started using a #4 needle, but the pattern is not as open as I’d like and as your photos look. I tried using a #6 needle (don’t happen to have a suitable #5) and I like the openness of the pattern better. I knit a little tightly and so the gauge is only slightly off—I’ll compensate by using 90 stitches instead of 98. My question is: how much more will Posy stretch compared to either Tussock or the Habu yarn? I’m concerned that it will stretch significantly more and I’ll end up with a wrap that has a weave that is TOO open if I use the #6 needles. Thank you for your comments, and another beautiful pattern.
Hi Karen,
Thanks for reaching out! Posy will stretch out a bit more than the Tussock or Habu yarn would, due to the springy quality of how posy is spun! I would recommend blocking your gauge swatch to see how it will look finished and post blocking, or if it will be too open so you know in advance if you need to adjust the needle.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Would this pattern work with a worsted weight yarn? Thanks!
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for reaching out! It is possible to knit this pattern with a worsted weight, however you will need to adjust the gauge and pattern quite a bit since this pattern is written for a size 4 needle with a lace weight yarn. I would recommend working a gauge swatch with the yarn you plan on using with a needle a size or 2 up from what is recommended for the yarn. You can then you can adjust the pattern from there based on your gauge! Our tutorial All About Gauge is an excellent resource to use!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
I’d like to knit a fairly narrow scarf version in this stitch. Is a 30 stitch cast on okay?
Hi Heather,
Thanks for reaching out! Depending on how wide you want the scarf to be 30 stitches should work!
Warmly,
Gianna
Would one skein of tussock be enough for a decent length scarf using the 30 Sts mentioned above? I tend to wear scarves or even cowls more than shawls and I think this pattern would be beautiful in either. Any suggestions welcome.
Thanks.
Hi Ann,
Thanks for writing in! With a cast-on of just 30 stitches, you’ll be able to make a scarf that’s about 7 inches wide and 82 inches long with 1 skein of Tussock. I think that’s plenty long enough for a scarf!
All the best,
Lili
Is there a crochet stitch which would give a similar look?
Hi Mary,
Thanks for reaching out! We don’t currently offer a crochet version of this pattern but thank you for expressing your interest! I will be sure to pass this along to the rest of the team!
Warmly,
Gianna
I love this pattern, and I’ve yet to see another with such helpful, generous replies to comments.
Hi Mary,
Thanks for writing in and for your kind words! I am so glad to hear that you enjoy this pattern and I am always happy to answer any questions you may have going forward!
Warmly,
Gianna
Using tussock, and it is gorgeous. How do you block this scarf? Wet soak? Steam?
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for writing in! I would recommend steaming to block this finished wrap!
Warmly,
Gianna
Could you make this with Brume? I f so, how many skeins and what size needles?
Thanks!
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for reaching out. You can definitely knit this pattern in Brume! You’ll need 4 skeins, and we recommend using anywhere from size US 3 to 6 needles with Brume. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hi there, do you think I could use cattail silk? The measurement I would like to do would be 25 inches by 46 inches. And what size needle please. Thank you so much.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for reaching out. You can definitely use Cattail Silk for this pattern! Since Cattail Silk is also a fingering weight yarn, you’ll can likely use the same size needles we recommend in the pattern. I would suggest knitting up a gauge swatch beforehand, just to be sure!
All the best,
Lili
Hi. Was wondering if I could do this pure stitch in knit two together instead of the purl two together, and have less stress on my fingers and joints.
Hi Jeri,
Thanks for reaching out. You can absolutely make this wrap using k2tog instead of p2tog! You would just need to switch the k1’s with p1’s as well in order to keep the pattern consistent. This is how Row 1 would be rewritten:
Row 1: P1, *yarn over, k2tog, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Do you have a printable version of this pattern? I would like to make the original pattern versus the larger new version. The one that takes three skeins of yarn. I have silk mohair yarn that I would like to use.
Hi Angela,
If you’re on a desktop version of the site, you will find a “print” icon in the right column just below the “Save To Favorites” button. If you’re on a mobile version of the site, you will find a “print” icon below the pattern and above the comments.
Follow the easy on-screen instructions to delete whichever parts of the pattern you don’t want to print or save. For example, you may decide to shorten the pattern by omitting certain images or the list of materials. To remove images, click the drop-down next to the image icon and change from 100% to 0%.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi! I just bought 4 hanks, in 2 colors, of linen quill. My plan is to make 2 of these wraps . I haven’t swatched yet, but I’m wondering what you think about going up on my needle size to a 7. I know it will look different, but what are your thoughts? Thanks again for all of your time!–Karen Thiemermann
Hi Karen,
Thanks for writing in! We love to see experimentation! The Open Air wrap has been knit with many yarns on various needle sizes over the years. Sizing up to a US7 needle will make for a more open Open Air Wrap. If you’re curious, be sure to knit a gauge swatch to see how this will impact your finished measurements. I trust it will come out beautiful either way.
Happy knitting,
Carly
What number of stitches is the pattern repeat, for purposes of making this narrower or wider? TIA!
Hi Nancy!
Thank you for your question. This pattern uses any even number for a multiple, so to calculate the cast on amount for a narrower or wider wrap, you can measure how many stitches you are getting (in pattern) per inch, and then multiply that number by your desired width in inches and round to the nearest even number!
I hope this helps, and happy knitting!
All the best,
Margaret
Hi, how many skeins of 2 ply cashmere would I need to knit this wrap? Thanks!
Hi Elise,
Thanks for writing in! You will need 2 skeins of Jade Sapphire’s 2-Ply Cashmere to make this pattern.
All the best,
Lili
I have been knitting this wrap with Shibui twig, which has proven a little difficult because the yarn is so wiry. So far, my wrap has very clear vertical columns of p2tpg with open stitches between and really doesn’t resemble any of the wraps in any yarn you all have shown. Am I doing something wrong or is it because the yarn is so stiff that that stitches just aren’t relaxing? Thank you!
Hi Holly,
Thank you for your question, though I’m sorry to hear your wrap is turning out differently than expected! While the texture of your yarn may be impacting the overall lace effect, one thing to double check is that you are knitting one stitch at the beginning of each row. This will help to offset the design so that stripes do not appear, and will create a fabric that looks more like mesh than stripes.
If you are still having trouble, we’d love to see a photo of your work so far, so please feel free to send us a photo at [email protected] for some extra help!
All the best,
Margaret
Hi! I’m almost finished with this wrap and have loved knitting it. Do you have any tips/suggestions as to how to block it?
Thank you!
Hi Lauren,
We recommend wet blocking this wrap and laying it flat to dry (on blocking mats, or a very large towel or piece of cardboard)! You may need to pin the edges down so that the lace pattern opens up as much as possible.
It’s also important not to stretch your project out too much while it’s soaking, so a good tip for a large project like this is to put it in a pillowcase before placing it in the water to soak so that the entire project can be removed from the water without stretching and the excess water can be gently pressed out before laying it flat to dry.
Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you for these tips! In the past when blocking, I have only sprinkled a project with water. Should I fully submerge the wrap (in the pillowcase)?
Thank you!
You’re very welcome, Lauren! Yes, I’d recommend fully submerging the wrap. That will make sure the water reaches all parts of the yarn, especially the more intertwined stitches, where a sprinkle of water probably wouldn’t reach!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you!
Hello, I have read all the comments that pertain to my problem but still am not able to resolve it. I casted on 98 stitches, K1 then the wrap and P2tog over the rest of the stitches but still ended up with 2 stitches at the far end rather than one. I ended up doing a wrap and knit the last two tog but I know this isn’t how the pattern is described. Could you clarify this for me, thanks so much
Hi Pamela,
Thanks for reaching out. It sounds like you may have either cast on an incorrect number of stitches, or worked a p1 instead of a p2tog somewhere in the middle of the first row! Either of these issues will result in the problem that you’re encountering. So that all of your stitches on the subsequent rows line up correctly, I’d recommend undoing your work and beginning again. I’d also recommend triple-checking your stitch count after casting on!
All the best,
Lili
What’s the best way to join two balls of Habu silk wrapped paper yarn?
Hi Carol,
Thanks for reaching out, and that’s a great question! This yarn is so unique that the best option for joining skeins is also very unique. I would recommend overlapping the ends of each skein and carefully hand-sewing them together! It’s a bit tedious, but in the end it will create a nearly imperceptible join. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hello. I’ve just finished my second Wedding Shawl – made one in Burnish and the second one in Santolina. They were both gifts, and now I’m looking for a pattern and yarn to make something for me. I’ve decided on the Open Air Wrap, but want to make it in Cattail Silk. Please advise how many skeins I’ll need to make the wrap 70” long. As always, thanks for your wonderful yarns and patterns.
Hi Diane,
You would need 2 skeins of Cattail Silk to make a wrap that’s 70 inches long in this stitch pattern!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you Lili!
I used to be able to knit this stitch a few years ago, even made hats with this stitch pattern. Then I worked other projects in the meantime and can’t get this to work again. I’m losing a stitch every row. Just for practice, I cast on 20, then had 19 after one good row of 20. K1, yo, P2tog, repeat, knit last stitch. Lose a stitch anyway. Any suggestions?
Hi Katherine,
Thank you for writing in! It sounds like you may be losing a stitch as you work your yarn over across the row. You will want to first be sure you are always beginning with an even number of stitches, then you can think of the stitches as sets of two. Each time you are beginning with a YO stitch and then purling two together. Please let us know if you have any other questions and I will be happy to take another look!
All the best,
Gavriella
Hi,
I have Habu N-75, hs18f, n-88, n-52 and hs-84, which do you think think will be suitable for this pattern? Thank you.
Hi Elaine,
Thank you for writing in! I am not familiar with these yarns but I would suggest the option that is closest to a lace weight yarn. I would also recommend making a small gauge swatch in each to see which fabric you like best and which you are able to match the gauge of the pattern. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Hi! I have 3 skeins of the lovely Sweet Grass in the beech bark color. Is it a good choice for the open air wrap? If not, what about using Sweet Grass for the lace margins wrap? If yes for either wrap, do I have enough skeins, and would I use US 5 needles? Thanks for the help!
Hi Rose,
Thank you for writing in! Sweetgrass would work wonderfully for either of those patterns and you should only need 2 skeins for each. Since you have 3 skeins, you could even make both! For the Lace Margins Wrap, you will need a US 1½ (2.75 mm) and for the Open Air Wrap, you will need a size US 4 (3.5mm) needle. We always recommend knitting a gauge swatch to make sure you can meet the gauge of the pattern and to ensure you have enough yarn. I hope this helps but please let me know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
I am not a beginning knitter, but I am having a very hard time understanding this pattern, particularly when it says to “ Drop the two stitches from the left needle and get ready to yarn over”. I would appreciate a video, if that could be provided. I am using the Tussock yarn, which also seems very thin for this pattern.
Thank you for your help.
Hi Nancy,
Thank you for writing in! Unfortunately, we don’t have a video on this technique but I think I can help you here. This section of the instruction is just writing out the steps in great detail but ultimately you are just purling two together, and then creating a yarn over. Each time you work a stitch normally from your left needle to your right, you drop the stitch off after it has been worked in order to move on to work the next stitch.
For example, when you knit two stitches together, you will move on to work the next stitch in line on your left-hand needle. So in this case, you are purling two stitches together and then instead of purling the next stitch, you will wrap your needle from front to back over the top to create a yarn over.
I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any other questions.
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Hello would it be possible to knit this in kidsilk yarn
Thank you
Hi Paddie,
Thank you for writing in! You can definitely use our Tussock yarn with this pattern. Tussock is 60% super fine kid mohair and 40% mulberry silk. You will need 3 skeins and you can see that version of the Open Air Wrap here. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Does one bind off the yarn overs or just the purled stitches?
Hi Kathleen,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, you’ll need to bind off both the yarn overs and the purl stitches. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
My work seems to be growing in the number of loops I have on the needles. I feel like I am following the directions as show, but I am wondering if when you come to the knit at the end of the row, do you do a yarn over before the knit to put the yarn back in the knit position, if you understand what I mean. Thank you.
Hi Judith,
Thank you for asking! Each time you come to the end of the row for your knit stitch, you will always want to make sure your yarn is in the back. If you leave the yarn in front, you will create an additional yarn over which in turn will add to your stitch count. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
I’m working on this in Linen Quill and loving it! When changing skeins, can I join Linen Quill? Or how would you recommend weaving in ends?
Thank you!
Hi Ali,
Thanks for writing in! For the most invisible join, I’d recommend just starting with the new skein and weaving in the ends once you finish the wrap. For the weaving process, I’d recommend using what is essentially duplicate stitch, the same idea as with any other knitted garment. This means you will want to take your end and follow the stitches of the knit fabric as you weave in. For this stitch, I would stick to the stitches that are dense and only go over the yarn overs a couple of times!
All the best,
Lili