Cashmere Ombré Wrap
We recently sat down with, Jade Sapphire, our favorite cashmere experts, to dream up the ultimate knitting project. We knew that Jade Sapphire had the yarn covered with the purest, softest Mongolian cashmere we know of, as well as the unique capability to hand dye spectacular color. And on our end, we knew that the very best thing to do with the very best cashmere is cuddle and so we designed the most generous and gorgeous wrap we could imagine. The resulting collaboration is this: our Cashmere Ombré Wrap.
We chose four of the colors that are igniting our imaginations this season and decided that they would be most beautiful on a slowly ascending color scale. Jade Sapphire was perfectly equipped to create the real ombré we imagined, one where each skein is truly hand dyed one shade lighter than the one before it. In the end, eight skeins of sumptuous 4 Ply Cashmere form an octave, traveling from a deep, rich bass note up to a delicate, light treble tone. The effect is operatic: full of drama, lyricism, and ravishing beauty!
Share your progress + connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoCashmereOmbreWrap. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
Our Cashmere Ombré Wrap Kit comes in four gorgeous colors, shown above from the left: Bloom, Aquamarine, Fog, and Ink. We also knit it up in two variations: a field of soft and nubbly seed stitch and a stream of rippling mistake rib. The Kit is equipped to make either!
Each Kit includes…
- 8 skeins of Jade Sapphire’s 4 Ply 100% Mongolian cashmere, hand dyed exclusively for Purl Soho and available only in this kit. Each skein is 200 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 1,600 yards required.(This is enough yarn for either a seed stitch or a mistake rib wrap.)
- A Purl Soho muslin project bag
- A full-color booklet with instructions for both stitch patterns
- All nestled inside in a sturdy, reusable cardboard box… Very nice!
You will also need US 3 (3.25 mm) straight or circular needles or the size needed to obtain the gauge, which is…
Gauge
Mistake Rib Wrap: 33 stitches per 4 inches (unblocked)
Seed Stitch Wrap: 25 stitches per 4 inches (unblocked)
Size
Mistake Rib Wrap: 17 x 80 inches (blocked)
Seed Stitch Wrap: 20 x 68 inches (blocked)
Pattern
And, finally, if you’d like to purchase just the Cashmere Ombré Wrap Pattern without the yarn, you can! It’s available right here as a hard copy or download!
This Cashmere Ombré Wrap is truly a dream project, conceived in our dreams, dreamy to make and like a dream to wear, but don’t sleep on it; get knitting!
Update: New Color
November 11, 2015
We added a new color to our Cashmere Ombré Wrap family: deep and juicy Plum! See all the photos right here!
Update: Another New Color!
February 12, 2016
Perfectly warm in feel, look, and spirit, Vermilion rounds out our palette of Cashmere Ombré Wraps. Read all about it right here!
Update: A New Pattern
June 7, 2017
Our Cashmere Ombré Wrap Kit isn’t just for wraps anymore! We’ve taken its eight skeins of Jade Sapphire’s specially hand-dyed cashmere and put them in a new light. Our incredible Cashmere Ombré Wrap Blanket is as soft as you can imagine and as beautiful as any baby deserves!
Update: A Trio of New Colors!
April 4, 2018
Our Cashmere Ombré Wrap Kits just grew more gorgeous by three! Joining our six existing colorways, this new trio draws inspiration from the natural world and rounds out our collection to cover nearly the whole rainbow. Read all about them here!
Update: Two New Woven Projects!
April 13, 2018
We took our Cashmere Ombré Wrap Kit in Plum to the loom! Using one Kit and a single skein of our Cattail Silk, we were able to weave two different scarf styles using Schacht Spindle Co.’s Cricket Loom! Read all about our Woven Cashmere Ombré Scarves here!
Update: Now 14 Colors!
November 22, 2020
We’re introducing five new colors to the Cashmere Ombré Wrap collection! Click here to meet Delphinium, Lapis, Fennel, Glacier, and Lupine and view all (14!) stunning color options available here!
Hello there,
I purchased this kid and did a mistake rib wrap. However, there is something I didn’t do correct. Hence I decided to rip it off and re-knit. Is there anything I need to do to the yarns before I can re-knit?
Thanks,
Joline
Hello, Joline!
Thank you for writing in! I am sorry to hear that you had to rip out your wrap! I hope it wasn’t too much that you had to take out! On big projects this I recommend using a “lifeline.” A lifeline in knitting is when you insert thread or yarn through a row of stitches. This thread/yarn is temporary and if you make a mistake you only have rip back to your lifeline. An internet search of this term will give you a more detailed description.
You don’t need to do anything to the yarn before re-knitting, you can just dive back in!
If you have further questions, please let us know!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
I would love to make this wrap but my budget doesn’t stretch to cashmere. Could I make this in 4ply alpaca?
Thanks,
Gillian
Hi Gillian,
You can certainly make this wrap in alternate yarns! I have seen several lovely versions made in our Line Weight! The 4 ply cashmere used in this kit is a fingering weight yarn or 4 ply in UK weights. It sounds like your alpaca will work well. Please let us know how it goes!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I would like to purchase the Cashmere Ombré Wrap kit, but all in black. Is it possible to get Jade Sapphire in black or would the yarn Jade Aaah! Work?
Thank you!
Suzanne
Hi Suzanne,
Thanks for writing in! We do offer the Cashmere Ombre Wrap in color “fog” which is a gray tone ombre. If you’d like to do this same wrap in all black then I suggest using Jade Sapphire 2-ply cashmere in color “la nuit”. You would double the 2-ply yarn to make it 4-ply, which will also yield exactly the same amount of yardage for each skein the in the Ombre Wrap. I hope this helps!
Best,
Adam
If I wanted to make this in linen stitch, would the finished length be the same or near the same?
Hi Edith,
I think this is such a great idea! Linen stitch a bit denser than seed stitch, so you’ll get a narrower scarf and it might be a bit shorter too. I’d do a swatch and compare the the suggested gauge on the pattern. Let us know how it goes!
Best,
Adam
I just discovered this beautiful pattern and purchased your Line Weight yarn as a more affordable option. I’m interested in this idea of using the Linen stitch, and got inspiration from your Linen Stitch Color Block Wrap. I notice there that you recommend size 10.5 needles for worsted weight yarn that typically calls for size 7-8 needles, since the Linen Stitch is a bit denser than seed stitch. To use linen stitch on this fingering weight yarn, what size needles would you recommend? US 5 or 6? Thanks!
Hi Molly,
Thanks for writing in! We have seen a number of these wraps in Line Weight and they are all very lovely! If you would like to try using linen stitch here, I would recommend starting with a US 4 and knitting a gauge swatch. Ultimately, you want to see how you like the fabric on the needles that you decide to use. If you find that the fabric using US 4 is too unyielding, you will want to try US 5. Between the US 4 and US 5, one of those needle sizes should work for the Line Weight in linen stitch.
Do let us know how it turns out!
Cassy
Hi! Does all the yarn get used, or will there be leftovers?
Hi Stevi,
Thanks for writing us! All the yarn gets used and there shouldn’t be much left over — just a few scraps here and there. Thanks again!
-Adam
I would love to knit the wrap/scarf with block of colors, but your kit for nearly $400. Wow! how many people can really afford that? You can’t simply allow us to download the pattern?
Nola
Hello Nola,
Thanks for writing in. Yes, the wrap is quite expensive, but it is 1600 yards of specially dyed cashmere. It’s quite a special piece. The pattern is for purchase separately and you can click here if you’d like to buy it. Thanks again!
-Adam
Which pattern is used in the published pictures? Seed stitch or mistake rib?
Hi Norma,
Thanks for writing us! The only mistake rib examples are in Ink and Fog, which are the blue and gray versions. The rest are all seed stitch. Both versions are beautiful in my opinion. Thanks again for writing in!
-Adam
Is the yarn held double or single?
Thank you.
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for writing in! The yarn for our Cashmere Ombre Wrap is knit as a single strand. The fabric it creates is squishy and lovely.
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I have recently completed the wrap in Plum in seed stitch….. it is just beautiful. It knitted up so easily and did not seem to take much time at all….maybe because it was just so nice to knit the cashmere. By the time I converted from US dollars to Australian dollars it was over $600 AUD which was a bit overwhelming, but it is such a special piece… it has been worth it. Now I am a PurlSoho devotee.
Hi, I am interested in variegating the last and first few rows between each skein change to get a better transition – something similar to this sock pattern: (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FQyjEcQLng). Can you give me an idea how many rows one skein produces based on your guage? As this will be my first attempt at this, do you have a better option for blending between the skeins.
Thanks
Hello Chris,
Thanks for writing in to us! This is an interesting idea. If you are doing seed stitch, each section measures about 8″ high, so instead of counting rows I would knit to 7 1/2″ and start blending then. However, you will have a wrong side if you are doing fair isle. Just letting you know! Let us know how it goes!
Best of luck!
Adam
I’m making the mistake rib version of this cashmere ombré wrap. I was wondering what join you recommended using when you add a new color?
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for writing in! For this project, we add a new color on the side and then weave in the ends upon completion of the wrap. That is to say, we knit each skein until you cannot complete another full row and then begin the next row with the new color. Additionally, we are careful to keep the color changes always on the same side.
I hope that this helps and enjoy knitting your lovely wrap!
Cassy
Hi, I love wraps and shawls and love this pattern. It’s been a few years since I have picked up my needles – I was was an advanced beginner+, at best, when my needles were active. Is the seed stitch too much, in Your estimation for someone jumping back in to the knitting scene? Are there any videos that you can provide and best practices for success….or even alternative patterns?
Thanks
Hi Gee,
Thanks for writing in and welcome back to knitting! Seed stitch is easy to achieve. It consists of alternating knits and purls which should be achievable for you! The only caution that I would present is that this wrap is done on rather small needles and as such takes a fair amouont of time to complete but it is well worth it! At present, we don’t have a video demonstrating this stitch pattern but that are a lot of tutorials on YouTube.
If you are looking for an equally achievable pattern that would work well for advanced beginners, you can try our Mistake Rib Scarf or our Broken Garter Scarf!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hello,
I just finished the mistake rib version of this cashmere ombré wrap in plum and now I’m ready to bind off. What bind off technique do you suggest using? I tried the Elizabeth Zimmermann better bind off technique that you have a tutorial for, but it looks flared out. Any suggestions?
Hi Heather,
Thanks for writing in! Congratulations on getting to the end of such an epic project! For this lovely wrap, we used a regular pass over bind off in pattern. If you tend have too tight of a bind off using this method, you can use a needle size larger to bind off and that should help!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I’m working this in seed stitch, and really enjoying it. I’m about to change colors for the first time, and wonder if you have a recommended join. One well-known knitter says that when joining colors in seed stitch, it’s a good idea to knit a full row in the new color before transitioning back to K1-P1, because it blends the colors more nicely (though I suppose the difference between color 1 and color 2 in the ombre wrap is so slight that the transition wouldn’t be obvious anyway). Do you have any thoughts on this? Thanks!
Hi Laura,
Thanks for writing in! For this lovely wrap we did not do anything special. Given that the yarn is dyed in a progressive ombre, you can just begin the next row with the new color and the join should not be too noticeable. At the end of the wrap, you will just weave in the ends and you should be set. I would recommend always changing colors on the same side for a more smooth look!
Best,
Cassy
HI, I’m trying to understand the gauge “25 stitches = 4 inches” – does this mean I am measuring the number of cast on stitches, and not the number of rows? I.e. the width, and not the length?
Hi Denise,
Thanks for writing in! I am happy to help you out with gauge! To check to see if you are getting gauge, you can cast on 25 stitches and knit and inch or 2 in the pattern (seed stitch here). After knitting this piece, you will measure the width and it should come in at 4 inches wide. If the swatch is smaller, you may need to go up a needle size. If the swatch is larger, you may need to go down a needle size.
I hope that this helps and please do not hesitate to reach out!
Cassy
this pink (bloom) kit shows an image of the wrap wth a cream included but the image of the skeins only goes to light pink.
does the Bloom kit come with a cream skein as well?
Hi Kate,
Thanks for writing in! The last color in the picture of the Bloom wrap is a very pale pink. For these lovely kits, all 8 skeins of cashmere for this wrap are dyed using the same color at varying intensities. Each wrap is custom dyed and the colors can vary from batch to batch as well. We endeavor to make our pictures as true to color as possible. That said each individual monitor can display colors differently, making it quite challenging to see colors as they truly are.
Best,
Cassy
I finished the wrap in seed stitch in Smoke a couple of weeks ago. While it was definitely a steep price, seeing the easy drape and the warmth it provides helped ease that shock. Its a great travel knitting project since it doesn’t really require a pattern and on skein takes a while. Hopefully my next one (for my mom) will take me less than the 2 years it took me to knit my first one. I should note, that I only knit in cold weather as it is normally too hot in my apt to knit w/o air conditioner.
Hello Alma,
Thank you for writing us- it is always a joy to hear about people’s experiences knitting our projects. Congratulations on finishing this beautiful wrap and I’m happy you enjoyed your time knitting it!
Warmly,
Marilla
Hi,
I would prefer to have the seed stitch wrap the same width and length as the mistake wrap pattern. Please advise me how many stitches needed to cast on.
thank you,
Rosa
Hello Rosa,
Thank you for reaching out! To get a width measuring 17″ in seed stitch you will want to cast on 105 sts.
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I’m going to be using circular needles for this wrap. It says US 3 but doesn’t include length of needles. What would you suggest?
Hi Jennifer,
Great questions! For this lovely wrap, you could use a 24″ or 32″ needle will work well here!
Best,
Cassy
I am having a lot of trouble getting the gauge for the cashmere ombré wrap. I’m now down to size 1 needles and it is still coming out at 6 1/2 stitches per inch. I am not a loose knitter so I am a bit baffled by this. I haven’t knitted cashmere before. Any ideas?
Hi Hope,
I’m so sorry to hear you are having problems getting the correct gauge! Can you clarify if you are knitting the seed stitch or mistake stitch version of the wrap? If you are knitting the seed stitch version, I think 6.5 stitches per inch is close enough to 6.25 stitches per inch! Also, how large are you knitting your gauge swatch? Knitting a larger swatch, up to about 5 inches wide and long, will give a more accurate gauge both because you have a larger sample size and the longer rows give you more of a chance to relax into your usual knitting groove.
Please let me know so I can help you troubleshoot this!
Julianna
I was wondering if anyone had tried the wrap in double seed stitch? I am thinking it would be beautiful but not sure if the final piece would be too loose.
Hello Holly,
Thanks for reaching out! This is a great idea and it would not be to loose. It will have a similar look to our seed stitch version.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I purchased the Cashmere Ombre’ Wrap Kit in November saving it for a cold winter project…..well it has never gotten cold! Now it is my COVID-19 project to keep me busy! I just need to know how to add the new color….do I just lay on top? Is there a youtube? Thanks
Hi Leslie,
What a wonderful way to pass the time! We don’t have a video for adding a new color, unfortunately, but it is quite easy! You will simply start knitting with the new color by inserting your needle into the first stitch and looping the new color over, leaving a 6 inch tail – no need to tie a knot or take any extra steps! The first stitch will look loose and loopy, but you can tighten it up and secure it when you weave in your ends.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
I’m on the 4th color on my Ombre’ Wrap, its getting a bit long and heavy. Since my colors are now getting lighter I’m afraid something will get dirty. Is there a way to roll the wrap or a trick like putting it in a bag while knitting? Thanks!
Hi Leslie,
Oh wow! You have come so far! While we don’t have any specific tricks for this, you can certainly rest the majority of your wrap in an extra project bag to keep it from rubbing against anything that might potentially transfer dirt or dye. This is a great way to work with larger projects! I hope that helps!
Best,
Gaby
Hello there.
Would y please let me know what is the yardage of yarn for this kit?
Thank you.
Hi Tatyana,
Great question! This kit contains 8 skeins that are 200 yards a piece for a total of 1600 yards!
Best,
Cassy
Hi there,
I am not a knitter myself but, I LOVE the look of this wrap and my amazing mom just told me to pick a color and she will make it for my birthday! I’m trying to decide between plum and aquamarine and am having a hard time because the colors look different in different photos. (The plum shades, for example, look purple/pink in some pics and quite reddish-brown in others.)
Given the big investment (of both money & time) my mom will be making, I want to be sure to pick a color I’ll love. Is it possible to get swatches sent in advance?
Hi Heather,
Thanks for reaching out! Wow! That is such a wonderful gift! I completely understand, unfortunately we do not offer swatches for the the Cashmere Ombre Wrap. I can assure you though that the plum matches the colors of the photos on the Kit page and is a beautiful plumy hue not reddish-brown! The aquamarine is also a gorgeous option!
I hope this helps and please feel free to reach out with any more questions!
Gianna
I’m making my 4th cashmere ombre wrap this time in lupine.
have you seen it done in seed stitch but sideways like the osmosis wrap, with long, narrower strips of color? For a wrap 17 x 80, I figure I’d need to cast on 500 stitches. Would this be beautiful or possibly weird?
Hi Cheryl,
We haven’t seen any versions like that yet, but it’s a great idea! Since this pattern is worked over an odd number of stitches, you’d need to cast on either 499 or 501 stitches to make the wrap 80 inches long.
All the best,
Lili