Open Air Wrap In Tussock
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.
You’ll quickly master the Open Air Wrap’s super-simple one-row repeat of open lacework. Yup, just repeat one row and watch it grow into a fabric that’s part fine filigree, part fluffy down.
Choose from 17 beautiful colors of Tussock. We used three skeins of Bright Verdigris, a crisp reflection of the icy season, but you may want to pick a few of your favorites, because this version of our Open Air Wrap is especially fun to share… A real wow-you-made-this? kind of gift!
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!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoOpenAirWrap, and #PurlSohoTussock. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 3 skeins of Purl Soho’s Tussock, 60% super fine kid mohair and 40% silk. Each skein of this fingering-weight yarn is 328 yards/ 25 grams; approximately 984 yards required. We used Bright Verdigris.
- US 4 (3.5 mm), straight or circular needles
Gauge
21 stitches = 4 inches unblocked
17 ½ stitches = 4 inches blocked
Size
Dimensions, Unblocked: 18½ inches wide x 72 inches long
Finished Dimensions, Blocked: 22½ inches wide x 75 inches long
Pattern
For the free pattern, please visit our original Open Air Wrap story.
LEARN ABOUT TUSSOCK + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
Tussock is impossible to replace! Spun and dyed in Japan, it is 60% super fine kid mohair, the softest quality there is, plus 40% silk, which is much more than most mohair-silk blends and makes for a super lustrous yarn. Technically a fine lace-weight, Tussock’s mohair blooms so beautifully that we prefer to use it as a fingering-weight yarn, either alone on US 3-6 needles or alongside other yarns for plumping up a companion or deepening its complexity. Choose from 26 gorgeous colors, inspired by juicy, ripe berries and mimosas in bloom, lapping waters and zippy wildflowers… Pure joy!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our collection of free Tussock knitting patterns and cast on!
More Fingering-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of fingering-weight yarn
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial!
More Yarns With Similar Fibers
- Shop mohair yarn
- Shop silk yarn
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!
Being UK based I am very much a recent convert to your patterns. As currently getting hold of your yarns is not so simple over here part of the fun is searching out alternatives from small indie companies over here. Imagine my delight when I spied this pattern having just acquired 3 skeins of beautiful iridescent lagoon coloured silk & mohair yarn. As I am currently also working on your top down turtleneck cardigan for me and your reversible rivulet scarf for hubbie I am having to determinedly ignore my own test patterns, yours are just such a tempting delight. ?
Just beautiful. I am a former knitter. Might just take it up again. The yarns are so nice.
How itchy is the yarn? I sometimes have issues with mohair and am trying to figure out if I would need to find a substitute yarn for this.
Hi Shelley,
Good question! The super fine kid mohair we use in Tussock is quite soft and fluffy, but like any animal fiber, if you have an allergy or sensitivity to mohair or goats, Tussock would aggravate that sensitivity. Most people, however, do find it to be a really pleasant to wear – in fact, I know several people with wool sensitivities who have no problem with mohair, since it comes from a different animal.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I am allergic to sheep (and other lovely creatures), but I wear wool all the time because all the allergens (dander) are completely washed out in the processing–as is also the case with down in comforters/jackets. But I CANNOT have mohair on my skin which is just too sensitive for whatever about it causes the irritation I experience. I can wear it as a shawl, however! Allergies can be triggered without wearing the allergen, and sensitivities are more about skin and sensation perceived by the brain.
Question: Does this yarn shed, as on black linen?
Hi Susan,
Thanks for reaching out! While all mohair does shed a little bit when it is first knitted, after blocking and the first few wears, it settles down considerably and shouldn’t shed in the future. You may also notice some shedding while winding the yarn, but I hope it is reassuring to hear that our store samples in Tussock are holding up great without any noticeable shedding!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Can this wrap be made in Posey?
Hi Cathy,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, you could certainly substitute Posy for the Open Air Wrap! Although it is the correct weight for the pattern so I don’t anticipate you will have any problems, it would still be a good idea to knit a gauge swatch.
Best of luck, and please let us know how your Posy version turns out!
Julianna
This is sooo gorgeous! Since the original pattern story cites a yarn with a slightly different gauge, would you still cast on 98 stitches in this yarn? And use size 4 needles?
Thanks!
Hi Kate,
Great question! Although Tussock is technically a lace weight, due to the loft of the mohair, it can behave like a fingering weight yarn, so we knitted the same pattern without any changes and the wrap blocked out to nearly the same dimensions as the original Habu wrap.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
The pattern done in the original yarn says it finishes out 56 inches long, but the Tussock design says it finishes out at 72 inches. Is that correct?
Hi Susan,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, that is correct! All of our variations on the Open Air Wrap have slightly different dimensions, and due to the generous yardage of Tussock, we were able to knit a longer wrap than the original!
Best,
Julianna
I am wondering if you used two strands at a time of the Tussock yarn to make this wrap? The pattern calls for 5 skeins of the other yarn.
I just want to be sure to purchase enough of he Tussock.
Many thanks! Pat
Hi Pat,
Great question! You will hold just a single strand of Tussock for this wrap and will need just 3 skeins!
Best,
Cassy
Since this is such an open pattern, what is the best method for adding the new skein of yarn? Seems like it might be a bit difficult to weave in the ends without it looking obvious.
Thanks!!
Hi Denise,
Great question! I would definitely try to keep all yarn joins at the edges of the piece and weave the ends into the single garter selvage stitch. It is possible to weave in ends in the middle of a lacey stitch using a technique similar to the Duplicate Stitch method in our Weaving In Your Ends tutorial, but it can be a bit intimidating! Simply weaving everything into the selvage will be much easier.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I am so purchasing the yarn for this but I am also picturing adding a light touch of random beads/beading throughout this most beautiful gift to myself.
Hi and thanks for writing in! Beads sound like a lovely, elegant addition to this wrap – please do let us know how it turns out!
Best,
Julianna
It would be lovely with beads – I used a yarn of the same fiber content to make a beaded scarf with clear iridescent beads on both ends – absolutely beautiful!
Is this stitch the same as: “yo,k2tog” except purling? Does it end up looking the same?
Hi Goldie,
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
Could you use Field Linen for this pattern, or any non-wool or non-silk yarn? Thanks.
Hi Judy,
Thanks for reaching out! Field Linen would be an excellent choice for this wrap, as would Kalinka. You may also be able to use Cotton Pure, though since it is a bit heavier weight, I would suggest knitting a gauge swatch on US 5 or 6 needles. Once you have blocked your swatch and measured your stitches per inch, you can multiply that by 20 inches to find your cast on number.
Best of luck, and please let us know how your version turns out!
Julianna
I can’t find an icon to download the pattern. Where is it?
Hello Robin,
Thank you for reaching out! The pattern for this beautiful wrap is in the original post.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Do you recommend winding this yarn into a ball before knitting? It is so fine I’m worried about creating tangles and would need to wind by hand. Thank you!
Hi Alex,
Thanks for reaching out! All yarn that comes in a skein form, including Tussock, should be wound into a ball before knitting, either by hand or using a swift and ball winder. We have had tremendous success winding Tussock using a swift and ball winder, but if you prefer to wind it by hand, you certainly can!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi,
I would like to have a go at this lovely pattern, being from the UK I am looking for a substitute yarn. I am looking at using Drops kid silk which comes in 25g balls. How many of these will i need please?
Thank you.
Louise
Hi Louise,
Thanks for reaching out! Although I’m not familiar with that particular yarn, our wrap in Tussock took 990 yards. Yardage is usually more accurate than grams to figure out how much yarn you will need, so I would check the label of your yarn to see how much yardage it has and divide that into 990 to see how many skeins you will need.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Can you suggest a cotton yarn that I can substitute for this? I am allergic to all kinds of wool and can only use cotton.
Thanks.
Hello Ruth,
Thanks for reaching out! While we don’t carry a cotton yarn that is as thin as we used for this project, I wonder if you could use a Linen yarn? I think this pattern would be beautiful knit up in our Field Linen.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I love the gorgeous, saturated colours of this yarn, but am a little worried that the mohair content will make it itchy. This is what has stopped me from ordering some of it. Can you tell me if my fears are justified? Thank you.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for reaching out! Although some people find mohair itchy, like many other fiber sensitivities it is usually do to an allergy to the animal the fiber came from. Tussock is spun with very high quality, silky soft mohair that shouldn’t itch at all, unless you have an undiscovered allergy! If you are concerned, although it doesn’t have the same halo and loft as Tussock, Cattail Silk would be a great alternative.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
A friend bought the yarn for this project and mentioned it is difficult to work with – no give in the fiber. – hard to move on the needle. Are there special needles that can be helpful to work with this beautiful yarn? Do you have alternative suggestions for this project or lightweight yarns that can be substituted?
Thank you and please advise.
Hello Rita,
Thank you for writing us! Mohair and Silk and a beautiful combination, but because there is not much give and it is so thin it can be a bit harder to work with, but the results are stunning. We did this same pattern in our Linen Quill, which is primarily wool and alpaca with 15% Linen, which is quite stretchy. Here is the post with more info and photos!
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
HI,
I am making this shawl using silk haze mohair yarn. Would I still need to cast on 98 stitches? Size 8 needles or smaller?
thank you,
Galina
Hi Galina,
Thanks for reaching out! Looking at specifications for Kid Silk Haze, I think that it is a bit thicker. I might start with a US 5 needle and see how you like the fabric that it creates. This will also serve as a gauge swatch. Once you know the stitches per inch you are getting on fabric that you find pleasing, you will multiply that by the width and cast on the nearest even number. Alternatively, you could cast on 98 stitches and just get a bit of a wider wrap!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Hello, I am making this scarf and make a mistake but now I have these stitches without the yarn overs and I cannot figure out how to get back on track. IDK if you can help me or even understand my problem thank you
I wrote yesterday but I gave you an old email that I no longer have.
Hi Lydia,
Just in case you didn’t get the reply to your other comment, here you go! 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
Can this pattern be knit with any sock or fingering weight yarn?
Thank you so much!
Kelly
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, I think this stitch pattern would look lovely in just about any fingering weight yarn, though it’s always a good idea to try a swatch first, especially if you choose something highly textured.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Can the Tussock be used as weft in a plain weave on the rigidheddle loom? I want to make it for my son’s fiancé for their wedding. I am a beginner knitter and could probably knit it but it seems it would be pretty in a plain open weave if it is strong enough for warp!
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for reaching out! Thank you for reaching out! This beautiful yarn would be a lot of fun to use in weaving as a weft, but I wouldn’t recommend using it as a warp.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
So I bought the Tussock to make Open Air Scarf but my patience with working with this yarn is nil so going to abandon project. Same thing happened when I made it before with original
Yarn called for- it’s me I know but yarn so fine you need to look at your needles constantly.
Can you suggest any pattern for a scarf, vest or sweater that might call for two kinds of yarn and I could utilize it alongside a heavier weight yarn?
Thanks
Hello Ann,
Thank you for reaching out! Tussock is a great yarn to add to another yarn. It adds texture and color and, as you say, will be faster. 🙂
If you wanted to add it to our Elementary Wrap, you could simply hold it with a DK weight yarn. We also have The Hummingbird Sweater Pattern which is a pretty open knit that holds two strands of Tussock at once, so it goes much faster. If you wanted to go for a super fast knit I would check out our Glimmer Scarf which holds our Gentle Giant with Tussock and knits up in no time.
I hope this gives you some ideas and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
How many skeins of Kalinka would I need to make the Open Air Wrap?
Hello Martha,
Thank you for reaching out! To make the Open Air Wrap with Kalinka you will need three skeins.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hi, Can the Open Air Wrap be knit in the Cattail Silk?
thanks!
Hi Kate,
Thanks for reaching out! I think the Open Air Wrap would be absolutely wonderful in Cattail Silk, and since it is already the correct weight for the pattern, you won’t have to make any modifications! You will need two skeins of Cattail Silk to for this wrap.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
I have been knitting the open air wrap with tussock. While the pattern is easy to follow, it is easier said than done: it is very difficult for me to fix mistakes so I have ripped it out and restarted it several times. I am using stitch markers every 12 stitches across the pattern and then one just after, and one just before the knit stitches. This helps me keep track of the pattern by making sure that I have the correct number of stitches at the end of each section. One problem that I have encountered each time, however, is that the stitches on either side of the stitch markers end up much looser than the other stitches even when I try to compensate by pulling tightly. I was wondering if you have any suggestions to prevent this from happening. The rest of the pattern looks very even. I was also wondering if you have any tips in general about working this pattern. I’m, unfortunately, about to start over again and I’d love any advice you have for making this come out as best as it can.
Thank you so much for your help. I really think the Open Air Wrap is beautiful and I don’t want to give up on it!!
Hello Elyssa,
Thank you for reaching and sharing your experience- I love your system! Pulling tightly might be making the issues more pronounced, because it could be creating tension on the stitches around it. I will also say that depending on how pronounce the loose stitches are, I suspect that blocking could just eliminate the issue completely. I would suggest knitting a small swatch that you use stitch makers on, to recreate what is happening in your shawl, and then blocking the swatch to see if it takes care of the issue. If it does than you can just keep going without having to worry about it.
I hope this helps. Let us know how it goes and if you need further assistance!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Thank you for a wonderful pattern! I’ve had my eye on it for a while, but like others dreaded the idea of an “all purl” project. I followed your advice and worked up two swatches in some sock yarn from my stash – one in “yo, p2tog” and one in “yo, k2tog”.
Not only does the k2tog come out looking VERY different – as you said – but I also found that for me p2tog was actually EASIER than k2tog. Inserting the needle parallel into the opening if the two stitches rather than at an angle makes a world of difference.
My Tossuck order is now on the way, and I’m looking forward to starting.
I am having trouble with the pattern, and can’t believe how stupid I’m being.
When you do the YO after the first knit stitch in each row, aren’t you adding a stitch to the needles?
So the first time you do it, it works out fine, K1 (add loop as you do YO and change to P position), P2tog the next 96 stitches, then K1 at the end.
HOWEVER, then on the next row you wind up with an extra stitch at the end, because you have K1, then P2tog the 96 in the middle, and have 2 stitches left over at the beginning where you added the loop.
Please help. I have wasted so much yarn trying to fix things and understand. Love Tussock, but it does not unravel very well.
Many thanks.
Hello Sharon,
Thank you for reaching out- there are no stupid questions! I hope I can help. Your second row is the same as the first row, you should end with the same amount of stitches after every row that you knit. This means that your second row is also K1, *yarn over, p2tog, repeat from * to last stitch, k1. This means that for every yarn over you have a p2tog so you shouldn’t have an extra stitch.
I hope this makes sense and let us know if you continue to have issues!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I’m knitting the open air wrap in fjord blue as a birthday gift for my wife. I brought the project over to a friend’s house, and their dog got a hold of it. No yarn was broken, but a column of stitches went from a honeycomb shape to pretty flat. Will blocking fix this? Also, how do you suggest blocking the wrap in Tussock? I’ve read about a few different methods.
Thank you!
-Christian
Hello Christian,
Thank you for reaching out! What a tragedy, but also so lucky that the yarn didn’t get damaged! Blocking will definitely help straighten out your stitches, but I would make sure that you haven’t dropped any stitches. I would wet block this wrap, for more tips check out our blocking tutorial.
I hope this helps and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
i cant find the pattern for this open air shawl..please can someone send it to me…the link doesnt work for me! I love it. thanks for help!
Hello Brenda,
Thank you for reaching out! I’m going to leave the link to the pattern below. Let us know if you continue to have any issues!
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
This is a lovely pattern but I don‘t understand how Row 2 works. Is the stich with the yarn over still just 1 stich or do I have to knit every yarn over as a single stich?
Would be really helpful if you could explain in detail how these rows have to be handled. Maybe somebody asked already but couldn‘t find any comment on this.
Thanks so much
Claudia
Hello Claudia,
Thank you for reaching out! You are correct, The yarn over should be treated like a regular stitch.
I hope this answers your question and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I have been admiring this version of the open air wrap a long time and decided to get the yarn to make one for my sister, who loves warm, soft and fluffy things but is currently living in a tropical climate – I thought it would be the perfect gift. But I’m having such trouble picking up the yarn for the stitches! Is this a beginner-knitter problem (I only started doing anything more than scarves and hats in 2015), or is there a particular kind of needle that will make it easier? Or will it get better after the first row? I literally I have to set it aside after maybe 2 or 3 repeats of the pattern because it’s so frustrating. Normally I’m able to just read the instructions for a new technique and hit the ground running but I’m stuck.
Hi Jessamy,
Thanks for writing in, and I’m so sorry to hear that you are having trouble with this stitch! Very fine yarns like Tussock can make decreases extra difficult, especially if you are a tight knitter. The first row after the cast on is always a bit trickier, so things will definitely get better once you have this row done, but one thing that can make a big difference is using extra pointy needles. Addi Turbo Rocket needles have sharper points than many other needles, which can make it much easier to get the tips of the needles into the stitches!
Best of luck, and I hope that helps!
Julianna
Could you use this yarn to make he shawl in double crochet stitch? How much more would you need?
Hi Amy,
Thanks for writing in! While you could certainly crochet a wrap using Tussock, it’s very hard to say how much yarn you will need. Usually crochet takes about a third more yarn than knitting, but an open lace stitch like this takes even less yarn than a regular knit stitch. To be on the safe side, I would recommend getting 6 skeins. If it turns out you don’t need all of it, any un-wound yarn can be returned for store credit!
Best,
Julianna
What is the difference between yo k2t and yo p2t? The yo p2t is difficult and I wonder why the pattern uses this and not yo k2t? Can I substitute yo k2t??
Thanks for answering!
Suzan
Hi Suzan,
Great question! 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
Can this be made as an infinity scarf?
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for writing in! 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.
Best,
Julianna
I just purchased Posy. I loved the colors. Would that yarn work for the wrap?
Thank you – Amy
Hi Amy,
Great question! Yes, I think this wrap would be absolutely gorgeous in Posy! It wouldn’t be quite as airy, but Posy still looks just lovely in lacey stitches.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Thank you for the quick response. Will the pattern have to be altered?
Hi Amy,
Not at all! Posy and Linen Quill are the same weight and knit up to very similar gauges, so you should be able to knit the pattern as written!
Best,
Julianna
love it
Hi I was wondering if this pattern can be made a scarf and so knit with any even number of stitches cast on. If not, what would be the smallest amount of stitches I could cast on? Thank you!
Hi and thanks for writing in! Yes, you are correct! You can knit this stitch pattern over any even number of stitches with no minimum – although I would recommend casting on at least 20 or so for best results.
Best,
Julianna
Thanks!
What cast on method do you advise for this? I’ve had to restart as on my first attempt the cast on row was not stretching and the scarf was distorting. I’ve looked up a few stretchy cast on methods but they are were quite complicated and not recommended for fluffy yarns. Thank you!
Hi Julia,
Thanks for writing in! We used a long tail cast on for this wrap, but it does have to be worked loosely in order to not distort the edge of the wrap. If you are having trouble casting on loosely enough, I would recommend casting onto a needle 2 or 3 sizes larger than your main needle.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hi!
If I use Cattail Silk, would I need to use a different number of stitches or different size needles to get the same result as your tussock wrap?
Thank you.
Susan
Hi Susan,
Great question! I would knit a swatch to make sure, but I think Cattail Silk would work up wonderfully in this stitch pattern on a US 4 or 5. The effect should be similar to our Open Air Wrap in Linen Quill, which is knit on a US 5 over 98 stitches, the same number of stitches as the original pattern.
I hope that helps, and please do let us know how it turns out!
Julianna
What straight needle material and length would work best for this wrap using the Tussock yarn?
Hi Liliana,
Great question! This stitch is much easier when using a pointy needle, so I would recommend using an Addi Turbo Rocket needle in a 24 inch length. Although a bamboo needle is helpful when using a slippery yarn like Tussock, I think the benefit of the pointier Rocket needles will outweigh the grippiness of bamboo!
Best,
Julianna
I am progressing, albeit slowly, with my open air wrap. I will be ready to attach my second skein very shortly and was curious how you would suggest attaching. This is my first time knitting lace pattern and my first time knitting with such a delicate yarn.
Hi Marilyn!
Thanks for reaching out! For lace-weight yarns and lace projects, I like to knit one stitch using both the old ball and new ball of thread, “hidden” somewhere near (but not quite at) the beginning or end of a row. You’ll want to be sure to leave a long enough tail to thread and weave in when you get to finishing. I hope this helps!
Happy Knitting!
Cassandra
what is the best way to block Tussock yarn for this pattern?
Thanks!
Hi Mary,
Thanks for writing in! I wash Tussock the same way I wash all of my hand knits – I fill a tub or a sink with water and a gentle wool wash, let soak, then gently remove the knit from the water, and squeeze all of the excess water out by rolling it in a towel. After that I lay the item out flat to dry. We have a great video tutorial here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/how-to-hand-wash-a-sweater/ I hope this helps, please let me know if you have any more questions!
Best,
Cassandra
I tried so many times to knit this but have given up. I tried casting on using larger needles so it would be easier to purl the 2 stitches together. I had to knit under a desk light so I wouldn’t miss a stitch. I had to restart so many times and this yarn does not unravel easily. So rather waste any more of this yarn, I want to change projects. I’ve looked at your elementary wrap pattern, which version could I use with the 3 skeins of Tussock I already have? I’m very nervous to knit the version that has 2 colors of Tussock. I’m hoping if it’s paired with another yarn it will unravel easier if I have to re-knit. Thanks for your suggestions.
Hi Debbie,
Thanks for reaching out, and I’m sorry to hear that you are having such a difficult time knitting with Tussock! Mohair really likes to stick to itself, so it can be quite tricky to unravel. A plainer stitch, such as stockinette, or holding it together with a less fuzzy yarn will indeed make things go much more smoothly. I think you might be happy with our Elementary Wrap in Posy + Tussock! Adding a plain fingering weight yarn like Posy should make both the knitting and any potential error fixing much more manageable. Also, should you have to rip any out, you might try putting your work in the freezer for about ten minutes first! It sounds odd, but the dry, cold air temporarily helps the mohair fibers lay a little flatter and should make it easier to separate them.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
The colours are delicious😀
I received my order of 3 skeins of Tussock to make the Open Air Wrap, and am finding the pattern stitch too difficult to do with the slippery mohair yarn. Would Tussock work for your Elementary Wrap in Silk Spectrum? I see that Tussock is approximately the same gauge as Silk Spectrum. I also see that total yardage of Silk Spectrum called for in the Elementary Warp pattern is 1,071 yards, and the total yardage of the 3 skeins of my Tussock is 984 yards. Pretty close, and if need be I could order a 4th skein of Tussock. Do you think that Tussock could be used for your Elementary Wrap in place of Silk Spectrum? Thank you!
Hi Martha,
Great question! Although I would definitely recommend knitting a gauge swatch before you get started, yes, I think the Elementary Wrap in Spectrum Silk might be a very good match for Tussock! If you find that your swatch is too dense at this gauge, you could also consider the Elementary Wrap in Linen Quill, which is also written for a fingering weight yarn but at a slightly looser gauge. For either pattern, I would recommend getting a fourth skein just so you can have the same dye lot on hand in case you need it!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Hi,
I’m using a fingering weight yarn, size 4 needle, cast on 98 stitches and after only a few rows the wrap width is already 24”. Why is my width so different from the pattern and how can I know how many stitches to cast on to get the desired width? Thanks!
Victoria
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for reaching out! It sounds like your gauge may be off and needs to be adjusted, probably by going down in needle size! Our All About Gauge tutorial is an excellent resource to use and can help you with the best solutions for your situation.
I hope this helps and feel free to reach out with any more questions!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
My dear Mom recently passed away. She tried to start the Open Air Wrap as a gift for a dear friend. All I have left after searching for the start of this wrap, is two hanks of Tussock.
I want to do this wrap to give to my Mom’s dear friend. I’m sure it would be difficult at best to find another hank of the same dye lot, so would you recommend just making this a smaller wrap? Would it be better to make it more narrow or shorter in length? How many cast on would you recommend?
If you do have Tussock in color #9640 Balsam Green, Lot #00005, I would happily purchase it straight away!
Hi Margaret,
Thanks so much for reaching out! I am so sorry to hear about your Mom… We would love to help, please email us at [email protected] so we can assist you further, hopefully we can locate that lot for you!
All the best,
Gianna
Hello, I’d like to knit this gorgeous wrap in Burnish. I think I saw above that this should work but can you confirm? If so, would I still three skeins of Burnish to get about the same size and what needle size would you suggest? Thank you so much! Deb
Hi Deb,
Thanks for reaching out! You can certainly knit this wrap in Burnish! Even though they are both fingering weight yarns and the US 4 needles should work perfectly, I always recommend working a gauge swatch prior to beginning to insure that you are consistent with the pattern or if you need to make any adjustments! And yes, 3 skeins will be plenty for this!
I hope this helps and please let us know how this turns out!
Warmly,
Gianna
Thank you fir your prompt reply Gianna, I will certainly try this in Burnish. It’s wonderful that I can tap a question into my computer in Sydney Australia and within a day or so receive a reply from you in the other side of the world! Not quite as good as being able to pop into the store but definitely the next best thing! Deb
Hi Deb,
I am so happy that I can help! It certainly is a great resource and wonderful to be able to connect with customers from all over the world! Please let me know how this turns out and feel free to send us some photos when you have finished, we all would love to see it!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hi!
Does this wrap, in Tussock, add a little warmth on a cool night as it is mohair? How would Brume work for this wrap?
Thanks,
Joyce
Hi Joyce,
Thanks for reaching out! Tussock is a great options for adding some warmth on a cool night, as Mohair is a surprisingly warm fiber! Brume is a heavier weight than Tussock is so you could use it for this pattern but would require some adjustments to the gauge, cast on, and needle size. So I would recommend sticking to Tussock for this pattern!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Gianna
Hello,
Can I use Cat Tail Silk yarn for this pattern? How many skeins will I need and what needle size should I use?
Thank you.
Grace
Hi Grace,
You could absolutely use Cattail Silk for this pattern! Two skeins should be plenty for this project, and I’d recommend using a US4 needle; you can pretty much stick to the same instructions listed in the pattern using Tussock, as they are both fingering weight yarns!
I hope this helps, and Happy Knitting!
Warmly,
Kelsey
This is such a lovely pattern. I’m wanting to make matching wraps for my sister and her daughters. Would you have recommendations on how to size down for children? We are talking about 12 and 5 years old.
Hi Jacqui,
Thanks for reaching out! That is such a sweet gift! Since this pattern is pattern works over an even number of stitches you can easily customize the width of the wrap by simply adjusting how many stitches you cast on. For a 12 year old I would suggest about 10″ wide (unblocked) and about 14″ wide (blocked), so if your gauge is consistent with the pattern I would recommend casting on 64 stitches! For the 5 year old I think a scarf size would be a bit more appropriate, appropriately 6″ wide unblocked and 10″ wide blocked, so you would cast on 34 stitches for that! You can think knit in the stitch pattern until you reach your desired length for each piece.
I hope this helps and please let em know if you have any more questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
Wo finde ich das Muster um den Schal zu stricken?
Hi Heike,
Thanks for reaching out! The pattern for this wrap is located on the page of the original design. We provide a link to this page under the PATTERN heading, and you can also click right here. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Can I use Brume for this pattern? If so, how many skeins and what size needles?
Thanks so much,
Stephanie
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for reaching out. You can absolutely use Brume for this pattern! I’d recommend using size US 6 needles in this case, and you’ll need 4 skeins. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Ich freue mich jeden Tag auf ihre newsletter. Schade das sie nicht in deutscher Sprache gibt.
Can I use cashmere?
Also I’d like to make a cowl using this pattern. How many stitches do I need to cast on?
Hi Virginia,
Thanks for reaching out! You could certainly use cashmere for this pattern! I would suggest using a fingering weight yarn as we did for the pattern, but I do suggest working a gauge swatch prior to beginning to ensure you are consistent with the pattern! From there you can calculate your cast on depending on how many stitches per inch you would like and the width you would like for your cowl. Just be sure to cast on an even number of stitches!
I hope this helps!
Gianna
i have 6 skeins of coorie and thought to make this with it. i wonder what needle size and # of cast on sts you would recommend..thanks so much, diana
Hi Diana,
Thanks for writing in! I would suggest using a US 5 or 6 needle with Coorie for this pattern, but I would recommend starting off by working a gauge swatch and seeing which needle size you prefer with the stitch pattern! From there you can calculate your stitches per inch to determine how many stitches to cast on. For more information on gauge, you can check out our wonderful tutorial, All About Gauge!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
How would you adjust the pattern to make a cowl? I could just make it shorter and sew it together but with something so delicate a seam might not look good.
Hi Mommo,
Thanks for writing in! That would be pretty simple if you knit the cowl flat and then seam it up. If you do that, I would suggest using a whip stitch to keep the seam delicate!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
What exactly is the point of using Long Tail cast-on? It just seems complicated and unnecessary. Wouldn’t a regular cast on do just as well? Thank you for the info.
Hi Lola,
Thanks for reaching out! We recommend using a basic Long Tail Cast On since it is very easy and beginner-friendly, it is also a quick way to cast on larger amounts of stitches! Alternatively, you could use a Cable Cast On, but it will take a bit longer to cast on 98 stitches. I have linked to both our tutorials for step by step instructions (highlighted in pink)
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
What medium weight yarns can this be made with.
I prefer for cooler weather. Maybe on a size 7 or 8 needles.
Thank You.
Hi Phyllis,
Thanks for writing in! If you would like to use a US 7 or 8 needle I would recommend using a sport weight yarn. A few beautiful options would be Brume or Good Wool! I suggest starting off by working a gauge swatch to determine how many stitches you will want to cast on.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Please help. I am stuck in a loop and cannot see the pattern for the open air wrap in Tussock. I just bought yarn to make two of these and every time I try to open the pattern it sends me to the open air story. When I open the story it’s another link to open the story. Again, stuck in a loop. Can I please be directed to the pattern or attach a PDF etc.? Much appreciated since I already purchased two patterns worth of yarn.
Thanks,
Lisa
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for reaching out! The Story link should take you to the original pattern page (for your convenience I have also added it here) from there if you scroll down past the Materials section you will find the Notes section and then the Pattern section! The original is knit in a different yarn, but we used the exact same pattern for the Tussock version.
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
thank heavens for comments. i am allergic to mohair! i have some one special i actually met a few times. this pattern is a dream. thank you form my heart.
I have a “2” weight yarn…..874 yards – could I use this? I was thinking I could make it half as wide, if I had to reduce the size.
Thanks for your time.
Hi Gail,
Thanks for reaching out. The great part about this pattern is that it’s easily adaptable to any weight yarn! The only thing you’d need to modify is the number of stitches you cast on. To figure out your cast-on number, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern. Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the width that you would like and cast on the nearest even number. Then, you can follow the pattern as written! I hope this helps.
All the best,
Lili
Hi,
Can this shawl be knitted as a triangular shawl?
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for reaching out with your question!
As of right now we only have the rectangular version of this pattern written, but if you are good as reworking patterns, I can’t see why this pattern couldn’t be knit as a triangular shawl! The repeat is worked over 2 stitches, and you’ll need 2 additional stitches for the first and last stitch of the row.
You might also be interested in looking at some of our other triangular shawls, like the Asymmetrical Wrap, or the Striped Triangle Garter Wrap for inspiration!
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Carly
Thank you Gianna for your reply in March about changing the wrap to a cowl. Life intervened and I didn’t get to look at replies until just now.
Hello,
With my old lady eyes, I am struggling with this pattern using Tussock. I’m wondering whether I could use 2 strands (possibly using a coordinating color) and size 6 needle as in the elementary wrap in tussock. If so, how many stitches should I cast on?
Thank you!
Hi Diana,
Thanks for reaching out! You can absolutely use Tussock held double with another yarn and larger needles for this project! The gauge of your project will be different from the original sample, so I would recommend knitting a gauge swatch before casting on your project. Once we know how many stitches per inch you are getting, you can multiply that by 22.5″ for the width to get the cast-on number! Here’s our tutorial called All About Gauge that you might find helpful for this project.
Please let us know if you have any questions!
All the best,
Carly
Any trick to knitting the first row? I’m on my fourth try. The yarn is so fine it’s like knitting with spider silk. I’m having a terrible time. I hope I figure it out; the yarn is beautiful and I want to finish this project. Thanks.
Hello,
Thanks for reaching out to us with your question! I can totally understand how frustrating it can be to keep starting your project over, especially with such a fine yarn!
I would recommend knitting a small swatch before casting on for your project. This can help you get familiar with the stitches, and how the yarn-overs line up with the p2tog stitches. The cast on for this pattern should be an even number, so you can cast on 10 stitches for a swatch and knit in pattern.
If you are finding that you don’t like working in tussock, we also have a version of this wrap knit in Linen Quill here!
I hope this helps, and please let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Carly
Thanks. I’ll keep trying.
After the seventh try to start this project I didn’t give up but cast onto a larger needle and worked it with the recommended size 4. Solved my problems.
For Tussock yarn (mohair/ silk) how do you recommend winding it?
Thanks.
Hi Lisa!
Thank you for your question! Tussock is a very fine and delicate yarn, which means it helps to take some extra care while winding so that it does not tangle. I recommend winding this yarn a bit slower than usual, and stuffing a piece of paper or the yarn label itself around the middle of the cake so that it does not collapse in on itself. Because of the mohair fiber content, the strands will tend to stick together, so taking care to separate any connected strands as you wind will help, too!
If you happen to find your yarn in a tangle, another trick we recommend is putting the yarn in the freezer for a few hours before attempting to untangle! This helps freeze the fibers in place so that they can glide more smoothly when untangling any knots.
I hope this helps you get started on your wrap!
All the best,
Margaret
Well, I thought I had my problems solved. But no. Not at all. This beautiful yarn is impossible for me to work with. I tried the first row probably 8-10 times. I thought casting on with a larger needle solved my problems. It didn’t. The yarn is so fine and the stitches so small I find it hard to make a stitch. I think I need more pointed needles to even have a chance. When you purl the two stitch together, which stitch is first to go on your working needle: the slipped stitch or the purled one? I’m thinking it should be the purl then the slipped stitch. Last time I was trying the first row, the slipped stitch was first and the purl second. It just wasn’t working. And I seem to lose or gain stitches: once I had 65, then 60 (I cast on 64). You’d think I was a novice but I’ve been knitting for 50 years. I never give up on anything but I’m getting close. Help.
Hi Mommo,
We are so sorry to hear that you’re still having trouble with both this pattern and the yarn itself!
Sharper needles could definitely help, but I wanted to mention using wooden needles, as opposed to metal, to grip the strands more easily. If using Tussock alone, it also helps to put the yarn in the freezer for a few hours to relax the fibers and make the yarn less sticky. This is especially useful when you have to undo any work to fix a mistake.
As for the p2tog, you are correct in that the p2tog should be worked by inserting your needle a p2tog and a yarn over (in that order). We have a great tutorial for how the yarn overs work together with the p2togs on this page as well!
I apologize again for the frustrating experience you have had, especially after multiple attempts and so much knitting experience under your belt! If you’re still not comfortable picking this project back up, we recommend reaching out to us via email at [email protected] to see if we can offer you more personalized options there!
All the best,
Margaret
Thank you. I’ll keep giving it a go. I ignored it for a few days and started my Nine Note Scarf. So much easier to knit! But I’ll tackle it again soon. Thanks for your advice. I’ve had stranger things in my freezer.
You are very welcome, and please feel free to get in touch with us if you have any other questions when you pick this project up again!
All the best,
Margaret
Like several other knitters I have struggled with this pattern and Tussock more times than I would want to admit. I have finally combined the Tussock with another lightweight yarn and am liking the results, however I am not able to understand how to fix a dropped stitch down two rows or so. Can you offer any advice?
Thanks.
leslie
Hi Leslie,
Thanks for reaching out. Tussock is definitely tricky to knit with on its own! I would recommend putting in a lifeline a few rows down (below your dropped stitch) and rip back to that point. With the lifeline in, your stitches will be safe! Then, you can start reknitting that section with the correct amount of stitches. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hello! This is such a lovely pattern! Would a merino fingering weight work?
Hi Tali,
Thanks for reaching out. Yes, this pattern is very adaptable, and nearly any relatively-thin yarn will work great! I’d just recommend knitting up a gauge swatch beforehand, since you may need to adjust the cast-on number so that the wrap comes to the correct width.
To figure out your cast-on number, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern and block the swatch. Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the width that you would like and cast on the nearest even number. Then you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili
Hi, is there a crochet pattern similar to the open air wrap? Thanks!
Hi Hande,
Thank you for writing in! While we don’t have an exact sister pattern to this wrap, you could use our Ripples Scarf as a starting point using our Tussock yarn and the same hook size written into the pattern!
I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any other questions!
Happy making,
Gavriella
Hi, I’ve been wanting to make this in Brume but I don’t see it anymore. Is it no longer available? And can you suggest something similar to brume (I thin for me, tussock is difficult to work with)?
Thanks!
Hi Robin,
Thank you for writing in! We have unfortunately discontinued Brume but holding a single strand of fingering weight yarn like Quartz or Linen Quill with Tussock could make the mohair more comfortable and manageable to work with as you are knitting. The mohair in our tussock base is what’s going to give your project that halo effect you see here! You could also hold two strands of Tussock together to get a similar weight to Brume! I hope this helps but please let me know if you have any other questions!
Warmly,
Gavriella