A bit bandana, a snippet shawl, a smidgen scarf, our Asymmetrical Wrap is a je-ne-sais-quoi! But we do know that this swingy little piece is just right for out-and-about jaunts, parties under the stars, and, let’s be practical… all of this season’s stretches in way-too-cold air conditioning.

Asymmetrical Wrap | Purl Soho

The simplicity of this fabric is offset by its unusual shape, an off-center-wedge, i.e. a scalene triangle, for you fellow math nerds. As you might guess, you won’t make an unusual shape in a usual way, so think short rows!

Asymmetrical Wrap | Purl Soho

If you’ve knit sock heels or sweater shoulders, you know that short rows are knitting’s secret shaping weapon. This Asymmetrical Wrap takes short rows to the max, working a wrap and turn at the end of every row. And since the rest of the knitting is just good ol’ stockinette stitch, this is a great project for learning the ins and out of this technique (if you’re nervous, our Short Rows Tutorial will hold your hand!).

Asymmetrical Wrap | Purl Soho

The Asymmetrical Wrap is the perfect vehicle for short rows, and also for our gorgeous new yarn, Burnish. Rayon made from bamboo, Burnish has all the beautiful drape and shine of silk but is more affordable, machine washable, and 100% vegan. And you’ll only need 2 skeins… A win-win-win-win!

Asymmetrical Wrap | Purl Soho

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!

Share your progress + connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoAssymetricalWrap, and #PurlSohoBurnish. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Asymmetrical Wrap | Purl Soho
  • 2 skeins of Purl Soho’s Burnish, 100% rayon from bamboo. Each skein is 339 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 493 yards required. We used Scarlet Orange. (NOTE: We no longer offer Burnish, but choose from one of our other fingering/sport weight yarns.)
  • US 3 (3.25 mm), 47-inch circular needles
  • Stitch markers (optional)

Gauge

22 stitches and 45 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Size

Finished Dimensions: approximately 14 inches high at highest point x 60 inches long

Notes

Construction

This wrap is knit lengthwise, using short rows for shaping.

Stitch Multiple

Worked over a multiple of 4 plus 6 stitches.

NOTE: For every 4 stitches added or subtracted from the cast on, knit 1 stitch more or less in Row 2. Altering the cast-on of this wrap will proportionally alter both the length and height.

Short-Rows: Wrap + Turn (wrp-t)

On the right side: Keeping yarn in back, slip next stitch purlwise from left needle to right needle. Bring yarn to front. Return slipped stitch to left needle. Bring yarn to back. Turn work so wrong side is facing you.

On the wrong side: Keeping yarn in front, slip next stitch purlwise from left needle to right needle. Bring yarn to back. Return slipped stitch to left needle. Bring yarn to front. Turn work so right side is facing you.

For more information about this technique, please visit our Short Row Tutorial.

Pattern

Cast on 326 stitches.

NOTE: When casting on so many stitches, we recommend placing a stitch marker (or piece of scrap yarn) every 50 stitches. That way, if you lose count, you don’t have to count from the very beginning of the row. Remove the markers as you work the first row.

Row 1 (wrong side): Purl to end of row.

Row 2 (right side): Slip 1 purlwise with yarn in back, k85, wrp-t (see Notes).

Row 3 (wrong side): P5, wrp-t.

Row 4 (right side): Knit to previous wrap, knit wrapped stitch with its wrap, k2, wrp-t.

Row 5 (wrong side); Purl to previous wrap, purl wrapped stitch with its wrap, wrp-t.

Repeat Rows 4 and 5 until you have completed the right-side row where the wrap and turn is the third stitch from left-hand selvage.

Next Row (wrong side): Purl to previous wrap, purl wrapped stitch with its wrap, p1, slip 1 purlwise with yarn in front.

Bind-Off Row (right side): Loosely bind off knitwise, knitting wrapped stitch with its wrap when you come to it.

Weave in ends and block as desired.

Asymmetrical Wrap | Purl Soho