Prewrapped Wrap
I can think of nothing more elegant than a wrap to protect from air conditioner blasts and chilly nights, but the reality of wearing an ungainly rectangle can be a struggle. I have tried to arrange many a wrap so that it won’t slip off my shoulders or get tangled in the straps of my purse, and every time I think to myself, there must be a better way!
My Prewrapped Wrap was born from this conundrum. A simple rectangle shape with two corners removed, I then sewed two seams to create surprisingly flattering armholes. The effect is loose and versatile, like a wrap, but organized and simple, like a cardigan!
This richly textured, warm weather fabric is actually a three-yarn concoction: A gorgeous sheen and burst of color from Habu’s Linen Wrapped Silk; a matte, delightfully bumpy feel from Habu’s Cotton Nerimaki Slub; and a soft, woolly bloom from Purl Soho’s Line Weight.
Finally, a wrap that is not a struggle, but a joy to wear! -Gina
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Gina Rockenwagner. Click here to see even more of Gina’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoPrewrappedWrap, and #PurlSohoLineWeight. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
Purl Soho’s Yarn for Prewrapped Wrap kit includes…
- 3 cones of Habu Textiles’ Linen Wrapped Silk, 99% silk, 1% linen, in the color Salmon N-97-8. Approximately 759 yards required.
- 6 cones of Habu Textiles’ Cotton Nerimaki Slub, 100% cotton, in the color Undyed 45-1. Approximately 759 yards required.
- 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Line Weight, 100% merino wool, in the color Ballet Pink. Approximately 759 yards required.
You’ll also need…
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 20-, 24-, or 32-inch circular needles
- US 6 (4 mm), 24-inch or longer circular needles
Gauge
20 stitches x 30 rows = 4 x 4 inches in stockinette stitch, on larger needle
19 stitches x 36 rows = 4 x 4 inches in 2 x 2 rib, on smaller needle
Size
One size fits chest measurements from 30 to 44 inches in circumference.
- Finished length from bottom hem to top of shoulder: 23 inches
- Finished width across chest, measurement taken with wrap lying flat: 23 inches
- Finished armhole circumference: 14½ inches
Notes
- You will knit this entire pattern holding together one strand of all three yarns.
- Because this wrap is in reverse stockinette, the purl side of the fabric is the “right side”. Throughout the pattern I will refer to the sides of the fabric as the “knit side” and the “purl side” to avoid confusion.
Pattern
Left Front
Using the larger needles, cast on 75 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1: Purl.
Row 2: Knit.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 23 inches from the cast on edge, ending with a purl row.
Back
Row 1 (knit side): Knit. Turn work. Cable cast on 35 stitches. [110 stitches]
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: Knit.
Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until piece measures 39 inches from original cast on edge, ending with a knit row.
Row 4 (purl side): Bind off 35 stitches, purl to end. [75 stitches]
Right Front
Working these 75 stitches…
Row 1 (knit side): Knit.
Row 2: Purl.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 62 inches from original cast on edge, ending with a knit row.
With the purl side facing you, bind off loosely until you have 1 stitch remaining on the right hand needle and no stitches on the left hand needle. Do not cut the yarns.
Neckline Ribbing
Turn the piece so that it is oriented like the picture above, with the long edge at the top and the purl side facing you. The remaining stitch from the bind off will be at the top right corner. Transfer this stitch to the smaller needle. Starting at point A (shown above) and ending at point B, pick up 241 stitches (2 stitches for every 3 rows). [242 stitches total]
Now working these 242 stitches…
Row 1 (knit side): *P2, k2, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p2.
Row 2: *K2, p2, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until ribbing measures 2 ½ inches.
Bind off loosely in pattern.
Cut yarns.
Center Back Ribbing
Turn the piece so it is oriented like the picture above, with the long ribbed edge at the bottom and the purl side facing you. With the smaller needles, starting at point C and ending at point D (shown above), pick up 64 stitches.
Now working these 64 stitches…
Row 1 (knit side): P3, *k2, p2, repeat from * to last 5 stitches, k2, p3.
Row 2: K3, *p2, k2, repeat from * to last 5 stitches, p2, k3.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until ribbing measures 1 1/2 inches.
Bind off loosely in pattern.
Cut yarns.
Sew Side Seams
Turn the piece once more so that the long side is at the top and the purl side is facing you. With the knit sides facing each other, fold point E to point E (shown above). Use a removable stitch marker, a safety pin or some scrap yarn to secure together the two points E.
Thread a tapestry needle with a 16-inch length of all three yarns. Insert the needle through both of the two points marked F (above), joining point F to point F.
Using Mattress Stitch, stitch the seam towards points E. Stop sewing when point E is joined to point E.
NOTE: Because you are joining a selvedge edge to a cast on edge, the number of horizontal bars on each side of the seam will not necessarily be the same. Make sure that you frequently check that the two sides of the seam are progressing evenly and will end simultaneously at points E.
You have just made the left armhole! Your work will look like this:
Repeat the same process on the right side: Secure points E, join point F to point F, and sew until you have reached points E.
Now, weave in the ends and block your Prewrapped Wrap!
Hi There,
I was thinking of making this using some cashmerino super chunky from my stash. When I knit up my swatch, I am getting about 3 stitches to the inch on size 11 needles. How do I figure out if I have enough yardage for the project? Is there a formula I can use? Thanks in advance!
Hi Leslie,
Thanks for writing in! The yarn and needles you are using are achieving a vastly different gauge than the pattern. For this you will have to figure out your cast on amount based on the finished dimensions from the pattern and edit the pattern from there. Because you are using a larger yarn, your yardage requirement will be different from our pattern as well. Depending on size, I would say you’ll need 800-1200 yards. This is just a rough estimate though! Good luck on your project!
Best,
Adam
Hello!
If I were to knit this with one strand of yarn, what weight of yarn would be equivalent to these three fingering weight yarns held together?
Thank you!
Christina*
Hi Christina,
Thanks for writing in! A light worsted or worsted weight wool would look great in this cardigan. I suggest Anzula – For Better or Worsted. This yarn has a great drape, is soft and looks great on a US 7. Hope this helps!
Best,
Adam
If we do this in Anzula how many skeins would we need to purchase?
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for the question! I’d say you need about five skeins of Anzula worsted weight for this pattern. It also depends on which size you choose. Let me know!
-Adam
I can’t find the Prewrapped Wrap kit. Are you not selling it anymore?
If you are not selling the kit, can I get the measurements on the pieces?
Thank you.
Hi Arleen,
Thanks for alerting us! All of the items needed for this project are available for individual sale as well. I suggest putting each yarn in your shopping cart for now. Best of luck on the project!
-Adam
I’ve made this in the original yarns and love, love, love it. I’m thinking about a lighter weight version with Habu Shosenshi Linen Paper. What can you recommend to add as another yarn to get the 5 sts/inch gauge? Thanks!
Hi Megan,
Thanks for writing in! I love that you’re being creative in yarn choice. I think that the Shosenshi paper is a bit thicker than all the yarns used in this project so I would try pairing it with one yarn only. Try the Line Weight or even the Linen Quill for more texture and variation. I hope you like my suggestions!
Best,
Adam
Thanks for your suggestions. Can I use the original yardage amounts? I appreciate your guidance! Megan
Hi Megan,
You will need the same yardage for your size if you are hitting the correct gauge. Happy knitting!
-Adam
Hi there
I adore this pattern – I’ve been looking for something like this for ages! Only problem is, I really want to do it in cotton for the summer and just in black. Please, can you tell me what I can use that would work?
Thanks heaps
Hi Sue,
This sounds like a great idea! I suggest you knit this in our Cotton Pure in color “Raven Black” held double with one strand of Line Weight in “Soft Black”. I think this would make the gauge required which is 5 stitches per inch. If this combo is too thick, take out the Line Weight and see if you can get gauge with just the Cotton Pure.
All the best,
Adam
I LOVE this pattern! Thank you so much for sharing it! But can you please tell us how many yards are needed to make this, if one wanted to use just a single strand at the correct gauge, rather than stranding together 3 yarns? I’d like to try it a bit less chunky and a bit more drapey…. THANK YOU!
Hi Tina,
Thanks for writing in! If you would like to knit this wrap using just a single yarn, you will need approximately 760 yards of a DK weight yarn.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hello I am considering making this in fieldstone grey line weight, khaki cotton slub and black linen wrapped silk. Looking at the colours on the computer screen it seems like the khaki would be a nice contrast to the grey and black. Can you comment on this combination. I am concerned the colours may look different on the screen than in person. Thank you.
Hello Trent,
Thanks for reaching out! This color combination sounds beautiful. Judging colors on computer screens is always tricky. Our photographers work hard to represent our yarn colors as accurately as possible and looking at these particular colors I would say they are pretty spot on. I agree that the khaki would be a nice contrast to the gray and black. I say go for it!
Warmly,
Marilla
Dear Gina: I have just graduated from scarves to more complex knitting. I don’t understand how to start the neck ribbing.
“Transfer this stitch to the smaller needle. Starting at point A (shown above) and ending at point B, pick up 241 stitches (2 stitches for every 3 rows). [242 stitches total] Now working these 242 stitches…”
How do I start this?
Thank you, DB
Hi DB,
Congratulations on graduating to more complex techniques! For this lovely wrap, you will need to pick up stitches along the front edges and neck to create the ribbing. We have a handy tutorial on how to pick up stitches and it can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/picking-up-stitches/
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Dear Cassy:
Just watch the video; looks easy once explained. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction. Am going to make this for my Mom.
DB
I’m wanting to do this in a single yarn preferably. Would you think that the worsted twist or the cashmere merino twist would be a better choice? I love the salt and pepper color ways!
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for writing in! For this lovely wrap Cashmere Merino Bloom would be a closer choice for the thickness of the yarn. Held together, the 3 yarns used here create, roughly, a DK weight. Worsted Twist is a bit to heavy to achieve the same look and drape. Mulberry Merino might also be a good option but I do think that the Cashmere Merino Bloom will be lovely for this wrap!
Best,
Cassy
Thanks so much! Would you please give me the approximate yardage that I would need of the Cashmere Merino Bloom? The wrap is just one size, correct?
Hello Michelle,
Thank you for writing us! For this pattern you will need approximately 4 skeins of Cashmere Merino Bloom to complete this project. You are correct this wrap is one size. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Warmly,
Marilla
Any chance PurlSoho or a fellow knitter who has made this garment could share a picture of it being worn? Sleeves don’t always flatter me, and I’d love to know how it drapes.
Hi Marie,
Thanks for writing in! While we do not have a photo of someone wearing this lovely wrap, there are a fair number of knitters who have posted images of themselves wearing their completed wraps on Ravelry. I quite enjoy looking through them and I think that it would be helpful for you as well!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi! I only have 874 yards of fingering, do you think it would be enough to do it all?
Thanks for this really nice pattern !
Hi Andrea,
Thanks for writing in! I do think that you will be short on yardage. If you would like to use a single yarn for this pattern, we used 760 yards of a DK weight yarn. If you want to hold two strands of fingering weight held together, you would need 1520 yards. As you have only about 60% of the yardage, I do not think that the amount of yarn that you have will work here. You could find a similar amount of yarn in a fingering weight and hold the two strands together!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi – I would like to knit this lovely wrap using your Flax Down – would that be an acceptable substitute to the original three different yarn suggestion? Thanks so much.
Hello Marcella,
Thank you for reaching out! Yes- Flax Down should work beautifully. I would still, as always, knit up a little gauge swatch before jumping in.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
How would I expand the pattern to be a medium, large and extra large. Beautiful pattern!
Hi Julie,
Thanks for reaching out! While we do think this is a one-size-fits-many wrap, if you would like to make it larger, an easy way to make the wrap wider would be to add more rows during the “Back” section. For example, if you wanted to make the wrap 2 inches wider in total, you would knit the back section until the entire piece measures 41 inches from the cast on edge, instead of 39 inches (because 39 plus 2 equals 41). If you are getting exactly the same row gauge as the pattern, that would be an additional 15 rows. Then when you make the Center Back Ribbing and the Neckline Ribbing, you will need to pick up more stitches to compensate for the width you added. I hope that information is helpful! Please let me know if I can clarify further! Thank you for your question.
Best,
Julianna
What is DK?
Hello Kathleen,
Thank you for reaching out! DK stands for Double Knit and refers to how thick the yarn is and what gauge it knits up to. DK yarns are thicker than sport weight, but thinner than worsted weight.
Warmly,
-Marilla
It looks like you don’t have any further inventory of the Habu yarns required for this project. Will you be getting any more in? Or, can you recommend substitutes for a similar weight/summer wrap?
Thank you!
Hi Brigit,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, we no longer carry the Linen Wrapped Silk, but I think you could easily substitute either Habu Flat Silk Wrapped Silk or Silk Wrap Paper for that pop of color. The Nerimaki Cotton Slub is in stock, and although Line Weight in Ballet Pink is out of stock, we will be restocking it as soon as we receive a shipment from our manufacturer! You could also substitute a different color of Line Weight if you prefer.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hello from Texas! Thank you so much for this lovely pattern and tutorial. I’m so grateful for the time taken to do so much for everyone. I am not very good at knitting with multiple strands of yarn, and I would love to make this for my sister. It reminds me of the old “bed jackets” women used to wear. Would a DK weight yarn give me the right gauge? I’m a fairly loose knitter and my sister is a big Texas gal so I want it to be big enough. Again, thanks so much!!
Hello Karen,
Thank you for writing and for your kind words! You are spot on, a single strand DK yarn will work beautifully with this project.
I would reccomend knitting up a gauge swatch before jumping in to avoid any surprises along the way, but it should work great.
I hope this helps and let us know if you have any further questions along the way!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I have just discovered this pattern, and I love the look of it and am excited to start knitting! The bonus of reading everyone’s questions and lovely patient answers has given me more confidence and information. Thanks everyone, Penny
Hello,
I’m years too late to this project but wondering if there are yarn substitutions you would recommend? It looks like the Habu yarns are no longer available anywhere. Thank you!
Hi Pilar,
Thanks for writing in! Yes, that is correct, we no longer have our full selection of Habu yarns but luckily I have a few great substitutions for you! In place of the Linen Wrapped Silk, I would suggest our Cattail Silk or Spectrum Silk, and for the Cotton Nerimaki Slub, I would suggest our Santolina! We used approximately 760 yards of each yarn, so you would need 3 skeins of Santolina and then either 2 skeins of Cattail Silk or 5 skeins of Spectrum Silk as well as the 2 skeins of Line Weight!
These yarns together should work up to about the same gauge as the original pattern, but I do recommend working a gauge swatch before beginning to ensure you are consistent.
I hope this helps and please let me know which combination you go with, happy knitting!
Gianna
Could you please advise the final dimensions of this wrap? How wide when you start, how long when you are finished? Thanks!
Hi Sandra,
Thanks for your question! This pattern is written in one size and the dimensions are as follows:
-Finished length from bottom hem to top of shoulder: 23 inches
-Finished width across chest, measurement taken with wrap lying flat: 23 inches
-Finished armhole circumference: 14½ inches
I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any more questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Yes! Thanks