Moonstone Wrap
When I was at art school in Chicago one of my favorite escapes was to the Grainger Hall of Gems at the Field Museum of Natural History. Anytime I felt bogged down or stressed out, I would steal away to the gem room and feel instantly calmed in the presence of such incredible beauty. Purl Soho’s gorgeous new Silk Alpaca Alloy transports me back to that time and space.
Every inch of this chunky yarn glows, and like a crystal, Silk Alpaca Alloy is a marvel of construction with a glimmering silk net delicately encasing a fluffy alpaca center. Warm and light with a metallic shimmer and a comforting softness, Silk Alpaca Alloy is as unfathomable as earth’s creations.
Knowing I would want to wear this yarn constantly, I used Silk Alpaca Alloy to whip up this Moonstone Wrap in my current favorite shape, the triangle. I love its versatility: Wrap it twice with the point hanging in front for a dramatic scarf, or drape it over your shoulders with the point in back for a casual shawl. Knit side or purl side out, any way you wear it, the Moonstone Wrap will make you feel like a gem! -Gina
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Gina Rockenwagner.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoMoonstoneWrap. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 3 skeins Purl Soho’s Silk Alpaca Alloy, 60% Baby Alpaca, 40% Mulberry Silk. I used the color Oyster Gray. (NOTE: We no longer offer Silk Alpaca Alloy, but choose from one of our other super bulky weight yarns.)
- A US 17 (12 mm), 32 or 40-inch circular needle
- Optional but helpful: A set of US 17 double pointed needles
Gauge
8 stitches = 4 inch in stockinette stitch
Size
Finished measurements: 70 inches along the long edge and 22 inches from bottom tip to top edge
Note
For tips on how to p2tog through the back loop (tbl), click here!
Pattern
Cast on 135 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1: K2, Purl 2 Together (p2tog), purl to last 4 stitches, p2tog through the back loop (tbl), k2. [2 stitches decreased]
Row 2: P2, Slip Slip Knit (ssk), knit to last 4 stitches, Knit Two Together (k2tog), p2. [2 stitches decreased]
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 7 stitches remain, ending with Row 2.
Final Row (purl side facing you): K2, p3tog, k2. [5 stitches]
Cut the yarn, leaving a 12-inch tail.
Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle. Starting with the stitch furthest away from the tail, thread the needle through the 5 remaining stitches. The needle will exit the stitches right at the base of the tail. Pull firmly to finish.
Using the circular or double pointed needles if you have them, cast on 3 stitches. With the knit side of the wrap facing you, begin at the right end of the cast-on edge and work a 3-stitch Attached I-cord along the entire cast on edge. I worked one round of I-cord for every cast-on stitch. When you reach the left end of the cast-on edge, cut the yarn and thread it through the three I-cord stitches. Pull firmly to finish.
Weave in the ends.
Block as desired and enjoy your Moonstone Wrap!
thank you! this should help!
I’m looking for the impossible: a beautiful scarf that can knit up pretty quickly to give as a Christmas gift. I’m about an intermediate knitter, though it’s been a while so I’d have to look up tutorials again. Do you think this one goes fairly fast or do you have another suggestion? Thank you for your advice!
Hi, Francesca!
Your search is not impossible! The Moonstore wrap definately fills your desire for beauty and speed. It’s knit with a bulky yarn and you can totally do the pattern since you’re an intermediate knitter (a novice can do it!). Another great quick knit is the Eleventh Hour Scarf https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2008/12/19/whits-knits-the-eleventh-hour-scarf/. And I also recommend Joelle’s books Last-Minute Knitted Gifts (https://www.purlsoho.com/purl-soho-goods/purl-soho-favorites/last-minute-knitted-gifts.html) and my personal favorite More Last-Minute Knitted Gifts (https://www.purlsoho.com/books/more-last-minute-knitted-gifts.html). The projects in these books are organized by the length of time it takes to complete each piece!
i love this! will you be restocking this yarn in other colourways?
Hi, Holly!
Thank you for your question! Unfortunately, we only carry the Silk Alpaca Alloy in the Heirloom White, Ballet Pink and Artemisia Green. What colorways would you be interested in seeing? We are always open suggestions! Again, thank you for writing in!
Best,
Kumeko
i love the colour shown here, the oyster grey! the ballet pink is lovely, too. thank you 🙂
I need help adjusting the amount of stitches to the yarn I’m using… I’m terrible at math. The gauge is 13 1/2 stitches per 4 inches. Can you figure that out possibly? Thanks!
Hi, MB!
Thank you for writing in! I recommend a cast on of about 235 stitches.
Happy knitting,
Kumeko
I am knitting this with a thinner yarn so I wondered how many I should cast on with this yarn?
Hi, MB!
Thank you so much for writing in! Do you happen know what the gauge of your yarn is? That will help us determine the cast on amount. If you don’t know, make a gauge swatch and then measure the number of stitches per inch you get. Then you will the stitches per inch and multiply that by 70 (since the long side is 70-inches). For example if you get 3 stitches to the inch you would do 3 x 70 = 210 cast on stitches.
If you have further questions please let us know!
Happy knitting,
Kumeko
The gauge is 13 st=4 inches Thank you in advance for your help!
My phone didn’t show that whole reply- Ok. I can figure out the Math myself then. Thx!
I love this yarn! Do you have any other pattern suggestions for it?
Thanks,
Rose
Hello, Rose!
Thank you for writing in! Sorry for the delayed response! You can substitute the Alloy in most patterns that call for a bulky yarn. I think this yarn would look great in these patterns:
Mountain Capelet
Mountain CowlGiant Twisted Rib Hat
If you have further questions please let us know!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
I was wondering how to decrease stitches? I have never done it before, but I really want to try this wrap.
Hi Campbell,
In this pattern, we use two different types of decreases. We use a ssk (slip slip knit) and a k2tog (knit 2 together). Fortunately, we have video tutorials for both of these decreases.
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/08/13/slip-slip-knit-ssk/
https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/08/13/knit-two-together-k2tog/
Best of luck and happy knitting!
Cassy
Hello Purl Bee 🙂
I’m about 30 rows into this delightful project and my work is curling from the bottom up. I’ve not had this problem with stockinette stitch before, it usually curls the other way. I’m using DK sheeps wool on 4.5mm needles. I’m knitting and knitting and it’s not getting any longer. Hehe. I don’t think blocking will be of much help in this case.
Perhaps you have some advice.
Thanks very much,
Megan
Hi Megan,
I am so sorry to hear that you are having difficulties! The yarn that we used for this wrap is quite bulky and has a bit of weight to it that prevents the stockinette from rolling. Traditionally, stockinette, unaided by a border, will roll up and while this is a nice may create a nice effect for the bottom of a sweater or a hat, it may cause some issues here. And you would be correct in assuming that blocking would not alter this rolling effect.
I would suggest that after casting on, knit 4-6 rows of just knitting to create a border that will prevent the stockinette from rolling up and then continue on with the pattern as written. Alternately, we do have a shawl pattern written for DK weight yarn, the Dovetail Scarf, that should work without alteration.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Thank you so much, Cassy!
I ripped and started again with the border you suggested and it’s now finished and fabulous!
Legendary.
Thanks again,
Megan
Does this pattern come close to using up all the yarn if the gauge is correct? I don’t mind casting on a few more stitches in the beginning to make sure I use up all the yarn 🙂
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for the question! Our version of the Moonstone Wrap used roughly 300 of the 327 yards called for. The remaining yardage is not quite enough to add to the initial cast on and not run out in the end which would be so sad!
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Hi,
I wanted to know if it was possible to make this with the super soft marino you sell on the website, as it comes in lots of additional colors. Any help you can give would be appreciated.
Hello, Courtney!
Thank you for writing in! You can definitely substitute our Super Soft Merino in this project, however, the Super Soft Merino has a different gauge than the Silk Alpaca Alloy so, you’ll need to modify the amount of cast on stitches. To determine this we recommend making a gauge swatch. Then measure the number of stitches per inch you get. Then you will take the stitches per inch and multiply that by 70 (since the long side is 70-inches). For example if you get 3 stitches to the inch you would do 3 x 70 = 210 cast on stitches.
Again, thank you for writing in and please let us know if you have further questions.
Best,
Kumeko
Hello Purl Soho,
I would really like to do this project. I noted that you only have one color available for the Silk Alpaca Alloy. Can you recommend an alternative yarn? Thanks!
Hi Ruth,
Thanks for writing in! sadly, Silk Alpaca Alloy is discontinued. However, you can certainly use an alternate yarn! Our Gentle Giant would work well here! To complete this lovely shawl, you will need 7 skeins of Gentle Giant and you can follow the directions as written!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I get 3.5-3 3/4 inches per 8 stitches when I check my gauge. I don’t like how loose the fabric looks if I go up a needle size. Should I cast on extra stitches to get the 70 inch length (and if so, how many)? I bought extra yarn, so I’m not worried about running out. Thanks!
Hi Sarah,
Thank you for writing in! I think you should be fine with the gauge you are getting. A shawl doesn’t have to be spot on for gauge. However, if you are adamant about the cast on length being as the patter, you should add on a few more stitches. Thanks!
-Adam
Could an I-cord cast on be used at the start rather than going back and picking up the stitches and doing and attached I-cord?
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for the comment. This is a great idea. You can use an i-cord cast on and do an i-cord edging to keep everything consistent and seamless. Good luck!
-Adam
Hi!
I was wondering how many stitches I should cast on if I am using the same weighted yarn but size 15 needles?
Thank you!
Hi Kendall,
Thanks for writing in! Good question! The answer to your question is very dependent on the gauge that you are getting. To get the measurements for that we get here, we have a gauge of 8 stitches = 4 inch in stockinette stitch. I would suggest knitting a gauge swatch to see what gauge you are getting as well as whether or not you like the feel and drape of the fabric that you are getting with the smaller needles. Once you know your gauge, you will multiply the number of stitches per inch by 70 inches. This pattern will work over a multiple of 4 stitches plus 7. So if your gauge is 3 stitches per inch, 3×70=210. The closest number that works with this is 211 stitches.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
What cast on method works best for this?
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for writing in! Unless otherwise noted, we like to use the long tail cast on. We think that it makes a neat and flexible cast on edge!
Best,
Cassy
hello hello…on the raverly website u mentioned trying it with stitch decrease every other row to make it an optional stroller blanket…
i would like to do this…
but as i read the pattern both rows decrease..
can y please write how the pattern would look ?
THANK YOU
Hi Francine,
Thanks for writing in! I can’t seem to find the comment on Ravelry that you are referring to. As you cast on along the long edge here and decrease each row, decreasing would not result in a blanket. You could cast on the number of stitches required and knit the following 2 rows:
Row 1: K2, purl to last 2 stitches, k2.
Row 2: P2, knit to last 2 stitches, p2.
You will repeat these rows until you get the size blanket that you like. Then bind off all stitches. You will then work the attached i-cord around all sides.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi Gina, how many yards of Gentle Giant (or any bulky yarn) are necessary for this? I was trying to click the link to the silk alpaca to get a sense of yardage but the link is gone so wasn’t sure how many skeins of gentle giant are necessary? Thank you.
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks for writing in! We used roughly 300-325 yards of Silk Alpaca Alloy!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I am using the silk alpaca alloy and had to go to larger needle size of 19 but I am still getting 4.5 to 5 stitches per 2 inches, I don’t want the wrap to be too big. I want to use a scarf not a shawl, any suggestions?
Hi Debra,
Thanks for writing in! Based on the gauge that you are currently getting, your wrap would be smaller than our sample here. It would be about 57 inches along the long side. You can try going up to a US 35 to get gauge but I suspect that your gauge would be off in the other direction as it is such a much bigger needle. You can certainly add some more stitches to your cast on to get the length you are looking for. Just be sure that you have an odd number of stitches. Additionally, it should be noted that for our sample, we used most of the yarn so if you have 3 skeins, adding more stitches may leave you a bit shy.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
This looks beautiful. Was looking for something for those cold flights back to mainland. Alpaca is a bit too warm, any suggestions for a slightly less warm cowl.
I live in Hawaii, so it would only be used on trips.
Hi Annette,
Thanks for writing in and for the kind words! Most super bulky yarns would work for this pattern. I would suggest looking at our Gentle Giant or Lanecardate Feltro as possible substitutes, or for something that still has weight but may be yet cooler, how about Blue Sky Worsted Cotton held double?
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hey there! Just wondering what weight the Silk Alpaca Alloy would be. Trying to find a substitute yarn
Hi Beth,
Thanks for writing in! Silk Alpaca Alloy was on the heavier end of the super bulky range, similar to Gentle Giant or Cascade Yarns Magnum. Super bulky yarns can vary quite a bit, so I would recommend looking for something that calls for a US 15-17 needle.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
I only have two skeins of the silk alpaca alloy and would love to make this wrap with it. Since the silk alpaca alloy is no longer available can you suggest a modification to make it smaller so I can make it with my two skeins?
Hello Rose,
Thanks for reaching out! This wrap is knit from the longest edge and then decreases on both ends to create a triangle.
To make this wrap smaller you will just need to cast on less stitches and go from there. I would recommend casting on 92 stitches for a width of 46″.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi,
From beginning to end, how long do you think this project will take? I only have size 13 needles at home today, and afraid those won’t work. So, I’m in the “11th hour” situation and hoping I can finish this quickly.
Thank you,
Jodi
Hi Jodi,
Thanks for reaching out! The amount of time it takes to knit something varies greatly from person to person and depends on a lot of your level of comfort and speed with the techniques used. This is a fairly straightforward pattern on large needles so it shouldn’t take too long, but I can’t really estimate how long exactly! If you are using smaller needles, I would recommend knitting a small gauge swatch before beginning to make sure the knitted fabric won’t be too tight or stiff. Best of luck, and I hope your project is finished in time!
Best,
Julianna
I finally started to make this up from silk alpaca alloy I bought a long time ago. I have run out! Can you suggest something I can use to make the attached I-cord? Thanks!
Hi Rose,
Oh dear, I am so sorry about that! I would suggest using either Gentle Giant or Manos del Uruguay Franca for the i-cord. A brightly colored edge should look quite beautiful against the muted colors of Silk Alpaca Alloy!
I hope that helps, and please do let us know how it turns out!
Julianna
Hello! Would this wrap work with Woolly Wool? If so, how many skeins would you recommend? Thanks so much and happy holidays.
Hi Kim,
Thanks for reaching out. I think this pattern would work very nicely with Wooly Wool, but I’d recommend knitting up a gauge swatch to make sure you’re using the right needles for it! You would need 4 skeins. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Thanks for the quick reply, Lili!