Elementary Wrap In Spectrum Silk
Our new Spectrum Silk is a natural at amplifying color and emitting light. For color lovers, this is the holy grail of knitting, a yarn that brings an other worldly dimension to any project, even a swathe of plain stockinette stitch!
As close readers of these pages know, our Elementary Wrap project is our very favorite vehicle for yarn that has something to say. Super simple to knit, it lets your imagination wander in the color world you choose.
And there are 26 beauties to choose from, whether you pick a heart-pulsing color like this Pink Dianthus or something softer like Gray Pearl or Lilac Petal.
Knitting with a yarn that strikes a color chord in your heart is wonderfully satisfying and a perfectly lovely way to spend time… Cast on!
If you love the yarn used in this project, you’ll love all of our other yarn, too! Explore our 35+ lovingly created yarn collections, in nearly every natural fiber and spectacular color you can imagine… Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn shop!
Share your progress + connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoElementaryWrap, and #PurlSohoSpectrumSilk. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 7 skeins of Purl Soho’s Spectrum Silk, 100% silk. Each skein is 153 yards; approximately 1,071 yards required. We used the color Pink Dianthus.
- US 3 (3.25 mm) circular or straight needles
Gauge
26 stitches and 36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Size
Finished Dimensions: 15 inches wide x 70 inches long
Pattern
Cast on 97 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1 (wrong side): K1, p1, k1, purl to last three stitches, k1, p1, k1.
Row 2 (right side): K2, p1, knit to last three stitches, p1, k2.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures approximately 70 inches from cast-on edge, ending with a wrong-side row.
Bind-off Row (right side): Bind off in pattern.
Weave in the ends and wet block flat.
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!
Could I knit the above pattern in the combination colors in Tussock combines with posy as in the elementary wrap. I like the edges better in this one in hopes it will not role as much.
Sorry, I forgot to say I want to make this into a wrap (the elementary in silk, but use combined colors as in tussock and posy). You suggested for the elementary wrap in tussock and posy that I cast on 120 stitches to make the width I wanted. Would that be true also for the wrap in silk substituting tussock and posy.
Sorry this is so convulsed. I talk better than I compose.
Thank you.
Caroline
Hi Caroline,
Thank you for reaching out! I’m not sure I understand but I’d like to try to answer your question. If you’re interested in the mixed colors of our Elementary Wrap in Posy and Tussock, try holding Tussock in with your Spectrum Silk to make this wrap. The color combinations with these two yarns are nearly endless- just be sure to get 4 skeins of Tussock for this project! For a larger wrap, a cast on of 130 stitches will get you a width of about 20″.
Happy knitting!
Gaby
Thank you for answering and so promptly. My daughter-in-law likes the shawl I made with tussock and posy because it’s so soft. What I wanted to know is if I can use these two yarns for the elementary one you are showing using silk. Would the numbers work since the silk one has the added border. The border part is what I like in hopes it will cut down on the rolling.
I hope this is easier for you to understand. As I said I make more sense talking than writing, well maybe.
Thanks again for your prompt response.
Caroline Tierney
Hi Caroline,
Thank you for your reply and for clarifying your question! These patterns are actually the same and both feature the border edge you described- it’s simply a little easier to see in silk and without that luminous Tussock halo! I recommend following the instructions for the Elementary Wrap in Posy and Tussock with a 120 stitch cast on since the pattern gauge was modified with those yarns in mind.
Best,
Gaby
Love the look of this yarn, but would like to make a narrower width for a scarf. Please suggest something for an 8-10 inch width.
Thank you!
Hi Chris,
Thanks for asking about this! This pattern is super easy to adjust for a different width by just reducing the number of stitches cast on! To make a scarf that’s about 8 inches wide, assuming your gauge is 26 stitches over 4 inches, you’d cast on 52 stitches for an 8 inch width, or 65 stitches for a 10 inch width. Knit to your desired length and you have a scarf!
Best,
Cassandra
Thanks so much for your prompt reply…very helpful!
Would this work with a yarn that is uneven?
Hi Judith,
Thank you for reaching out! As long as you are getting gauge, you may use a variety of fibers and types of yarn for this pattern. I love the idea of an uneven yarn to bring texture to this simple wrap. Please let us know how it turns out!
Happy knitting!
Gaby
That’s a lovely wrap to showcase stunning color. How do you get the edges to lie so flat, don’t the edges curl in?
Hi Celine,
I’m so glad you’re inspired by the pattern! The way the edges are knit on the wrap, plus a wet-blocking when it’s finished, are all it needs to lie flat. I hope this helps!
Happy Knitting!
Cassandra
Thank you so much!
Lovely pattern! Just one question, are the last 3 stitches of row one correct as k1, p1, k1?
Thanks!
Hi Pam,
Thank you for reaching out! This stitch pattern is correct and will create a lovely selvedge edge for your wrap. Happy knitting!
Best,
Gaby
I love this pattern and look forward to making it in the silk you suggest. Do the changes in the selvedge stitches and the blocking really keep it from rolling. Thank you in advance.
Susan
Hi Susan,
Thanks for asking about this! Yes, the finished wrap really does lay flat. It’s those edge stitches that do the trick, plus the magic of blocking!
Happy Knitting!
Cassandra
This is a beautiful look. My question is, would the Mineral yarn be suitable for this pattern? I imagine it would be partnered with another yarn? The hint of sparkle is a bit of extra! Thank you. Penny
Hi Penny,
Great question! We love the idea of using Mineral Silk for an Elementary Wrap – in fact, we already tried it out in our Elementary Wrap in Mineral Silk + Tussock! The sparkle and shine of Mineral Silk is absolutely gorgeous paired with the ethereal halo of Tussock and, hopefully, is just what you have in mind!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Ah ha! I did not see that combo at first so thanks for pointing it out!
Penny
I’d like to crochet a wrap like this. Could you give some guidance about amount needed? I know crocheting used about 1/3 more yarn. Could I start and end with single crochet and use double crochet for body of wrap?
Hi Amy,
Thanks for reaching out, and what a lovely idea! Crochet does take, on average, about a third more yarn, although it might be a little less if you use an open stitch like double crochets. However, I can’t say exactly how much you will need, so I would recommend ordering 10 skeins to be on the safe side. Once you see how far the first skein goes, you will be able to tell if you need more or less yarn, and any un-wound skeins can be returned for store credit. I think a small border of single crochets to add a bit of definition and interest at the beginning and end would look wonderful, or you could go straight into double crochets if you prefer!
I hope that helps, and happy crocheting!
Julianna
Is there a way to turn this wrap into an infinity scarf using the kitchener stitch? I’m not sure what to do with the edging. Thanks for the beautiful pattern, as always!
Hi Emily,
Great question! I think it will turn out beautifully if you start with a provisional cast on and join the two ends together with kitchener stitch. Although the regular kitchener stitch won’t match exactly in the edging, these few stitches shouldn’t be noticeable in the finished cowl!
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I purchased this yarn and have a comment and a question: I did not expect to see the yarn with such a matte finish and the photo did not show the texture. So…still thinking about it.
My question: since there are 7 skeins used, what is the best way to join this yarn…which has several strands twisted together. I would appreciate someone’s comments who have knitted with it. Thanks so much! Stay safe! 🙂
Hi Joyce,
Thanks for reaching out! In the description of Spectrum silk we share that it is a lovely 100% silk with a soft, matte finish! I would recommend checking out our tutorial for Adding a Ball of Yarn, it is an excellent resource to use!
Warmly,
Gianna
I am interested in knitting the “Elementary Wrap” as an accessory for my summer wardrobe when I need a simple over the shoulder wrap – is “Spectrum Silk” the best choice or would it be too warm? I live in Southern California.
I look forward to your recommendation, thank you. Julie
Hi Julie,
Thanks for reaching out! I think the Spectrum Silk version of this wrap would be perfect for summer! Spectrum Silk is a great option for warmer weather since it is not too warm and some even say it has a cool feel against bare skin, perfect for Southern California weather!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
If I were to knit the elementary wrap in a sweetgrass yarn, how many skeins should I buy? Thanks
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out! I think Sweetgrass would make an excellent Elementary Wrap! For this pattern we used approximately 1071 yards so 3 skeins of Sweetgrass will be plenty!
Please let us know how this turns out!
Warmly,
Gianna
I was hoping you could suggest a good length for size 3 circular needles if I use the the dimensions for a scarf as noted in above response. Thank you for your help!
Hi Julie,
Thanks for writing in! For the scarf-size version of this pattern, I would suggest a 24″ circular needles!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi,
I have fixed US 3 circular needle with maybe 8 inch cable in between the two needles is that enough to cast on 97 stiches for this pattern?
Thanks!
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately, that is not long enough for that many stitches, they would be far too crowded and it would be very hard to knit!
I would instead recommend a US 3, 20″ or 24″ circular needles!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Thanks!
I had the feeling but just thought I check… will get an interchangeable one! Just ordered the silk yarn – can’t wait for it to arrive!
Hi,
To make this 20″ wide x 70″ long in Spectrum Silk, how many stitches to cast on? How many skeins would be needed?
Hi Pat,
Thanks for reaching out! For a 20″ wide wrap, if your gauge is consistent with the pattern, I would suggest casting on 131 stitches! I would also suggest getting 2 additional skeins to ensure that you have enough to complete the wrap at 70″ long!
I hope this helps, happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi,
I would like to make this in Cattail Silk since I can’t find the color I like in Spectrum silk. Would it work in Cattail? Also I’m thinking about adding Mineral Silk. Can you tell me how much yarn I would need, both with and without the Mineral Silk, for a 20″ X 72″ wrap? Thanks!
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for writing in! I think Cattail Silk will be lovely for this wrap, and adding in Mineral Silk would be beautiful! 2 skeins of Cattail Silk and 3 skeins of Mineral Silk should be plenty!
Warmly,
Gianna
Hello! I’m just getting my February project started here which is this spectrum silk. I’m having a heck of a time knitting it. I’m not a beginner. I’m thinking of coating the yarn with something to keep the strands together. Stray strands are popping up although I’m carefully watching. Perhaps my eyes are too old now but this simple project has become a lot of work! And yes I’m working on the tips of the needles. Any suggestions?
Hi Maryellen,
Thanks for reaching out, and I’m sorry to hear that you’re having a difficult time knitting with Spectrum Silk! That yarn is indeed tricky to work with because, like you’re experiencing, it’s very “strandy.” My main suggestions would be to use the pointiest needles you have available and to knit more slowly and carefully than normal, but it sounds like you are already doing these things!
Your idea to coat the yarn is very interesting, though. While I’ve never tried that myself, I think that it would definitely be worth a shot! We carry some beeswax, which can be used to coat thread, so I can certainly see it being helpful for yarn as well. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hi,
Will you be carrying Spectrum Silk again in the future? The colors are magnificent. Thank you.
Hi Pam,
Thanks for writing in. I’m so sorry to say that we’ve discontinued Spectrum Silk! While we loved this yarn, not everybody else felt the same way so we had to make the sad decision to stop producing it.
If you’re interested in another silk yarn, I would recommend Cattail Silk since this is also a fingering weight silk yarn! As always, we recommend making a gauge swatch before starting a project to be sure you’re working with the right needle size, especially when substituting yarns. If you’d like more information on swatching, we have a tutorial on that called All About Gauge!
I hope this helps! Thanks again for your question!
All the best,
Cat
Thanks so much, I really appreciate you answering my question and giving a substitution for other yarns. I enjoy the comment sections and find them a great resource and thankful you all answer these questions for us. Thanks again.
Sorry for the lame question… could I use 16” circular needles for this?
Hi Charis,
Yes, you can use 16-inch circular needles for this pattern! Since the finished width of the wrap is 15 inches though, just be careful not to let any stitches fall off!
All the best,
Lili
Great, thank you for your help!