Fern Frost Wrap
The delicate lace design of our Fern Frost Wrap has the exquisite beauty of patterns on an icy pane of glass.
The good news is that all you need to create this stunning detail are some yarn-overs, some simple decreases, and an intuitive eight-line repeat. Both charted and written out, the pattern is easy to follow and a joy to knit!
We put our new laceweight Spindle to excellent use here. A mix of 80% merino, 10% cashmere, and 10% mulberry silk, Spindle does a wonderful job of conjuring nature with its down-to-earth heartiness but also evokes elegance with its light, soft touch and single-ply simplicity.
Made in County Donegal, Spindle embodies that region’s long fiber-making history. Reminiscent of the fine strands spun by hand for centuries in local cottages, Spindle’s rustic texture includes small bits (or “burrs”) of fiber that offer rich variation.
It’s available in seventeen beautiful colors, each recalling the yarn’s origin, from the green hills of Ireland to the bright flowers in the meadow, from the woodpile outside the cottage to the embers of the hearth within. Whatever color you decide, you’ll need just one skein for a scarf or three for the wider wrap version we knit up here.
We are so happy to welcome Spindle into our yarn family. A cousin of our worsted-weight Hedgerow, Spindle’s laceweight beauty is a quiet roar. We hope you love it as much as we do!
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, Gaby Bush.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoFernFrostWrap, and #PurlSohoSpindle. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 1 (3) skein(s) of Purl Soho’s Spindle, 80% merino wool, 10% cashmere, and 10% mulberry silk. Each skein of this lace weight yarn is approximately 625 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 625 (1405) total yards required. We used the color Woodpile Gray.
- US 2 (3 mm), straight or 24-inch circular needles
NOTE: If you’re knitting the Scarf size, you will use nearly every last bit of your skein. To avoid running short, we recommend re-using your swatch yarn and being sparing with your tails!
GAUGE
37 stitches and 38 rows = 4 inches in stitch pattern
SIZES
Scarf (Wrap)
- Finished Dimensions: approximately 8¾ (19¼) inches wide x 76 inches long
NOTES
STITCH MULTIPLE
This pattern works over a multiple of 32 + 17 stitches.
SLIP STITCHES
Slip all slipped stitches purlwise.
PATTERN
Cast on 81 (177) stitches using a basic Long-Tail Cast On.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): P16, *k1, p15, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
Now follow either the Written or Chart Instructions, both below.
WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS
Row 1 (right side): Slip 1 with yarn in back (wyib), *k1, [knit 2 together (k2tog)] 2 times, [yarn over (yo), k1] 3 times, yo, [slip slip knit (ssk)] 2 times, k3, p1, k3, [k2tog] 2 times, [yo, k1] 3 times, yo, [ssk] 2 times, k1, p1, repeat from * to last 16 stitches, k1, [k2tog] 2 times, [yo, k1] 3 times, yo, [ssk] 2 times, k4.
Row 2 (wrong side) and all following wrong side rows: Slip 1 with yarn in front, p15, *k1, p15, repeat from * to last stitch, p1.
Row 3: Slip 1 wyib, *[k2tog] 2 times, yo, k1, yo, k3, yo, k1, yo, [ssk] 2 times, k2, p1, k2, [k2tog] 2 times, yo, k1, yo, k3, yo, k1, yo, [ssk] 2 times, p1, repeat from * to last 16 stitches, [k2tog] 2 times, yo, k1, yo, k3, yo, k1, yo, [ssk] 2 times, k3.
Row 5: Slip 1 wyib, *k3, [k2tog] 2 times, [yo, k1] 3 times, yo, [ssk] 2 times, k1, p1, k1, [k2tog] 2 times, [yo, k1] 3 times, yo, [ssk] 2 times, k3, p1, repeat from * to last 16 stitches, k3, [k2tog] 2 times, [yo, k1] 3 times, yo, [ssk] 2 times, k2.
Row 7: Slip 1 wyib, *k2, [k2tog] 2 times, yo, k1, yo, k3, yo, k1, yo, [ssk] 2 times, p1, [k2tog] 2 times, yo, k1, yo, k3, yo, k1, yo, [ssk] 2 times, k2, p1, repeat from * to last 16 stitches, k2, [k2tog] 2 times, yo, k1, yo, k3, yo, k1, yo, [ssk] 2 times, k1.
Repeat Rows 1–8 until piece measures approximately 76 inches from cast-on edge or to desired length, ending with Row 8.
CHART INSTRUCTIONS
NOTE: New to reading charts? Unravel the mysteries with our Reading A Chart Tutorial!
Starting in the bottom right corner of the Chart below, work right-side (odd number) rows from right to left and wrong-side (even number) rows from left to right.
Repeat Rows 1–8 until piece measures approximately 76 inches from cast-on edge or to desired length, ending with Row 8.
KEY
CHART
NOTE: Want to see it bigger? Download this chart (and key) as a PDF!
FINISHING
With right side facing you, bind off knitwise. Weave in all ends and block to finished dimensions.
LEARN ABOUT SPINDLE + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
Spindle is a truly exceptional choice for knitting projects that require a lace-weight yarn and the uniquely rich qualities of an Irish tweed. A gorgeous mix of 80% merino wool, 10% cashmere, and 10% mulberry silk, Spindle is a woolen-spun, single-ply yarn, which means it is light and lofty and elegantly simple with a down-to-earth beauty. Enjoy 17 extraordinary colors that reflect Spindle’s County Donegal origin!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our collection of free Spindle knitting patterns and cast on!
More Lace-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of lace-weight yarns
- 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 merino wool yarn
- Shop cashmere 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!
buongiorno, per favore cosa significa avviare 81 (177 maglie?)
scusate ma non ho capito.
grazie per un vostro riscontro
Hi Stefania,
Thanks for reaching out. If you’re making the Scarf size, then you’ll cast on 81 stitches, but if you’re making the Wrap size, then you’ll cast on 177 stitches! Whenever you encounter a number followed by another number in parentheses, then these refer to the stitch counts (or pattern repeats, etc.) for two different sizes. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Is the one modeled the wrap or scarf size?
Hi Ines,
Our model is wearing the Wrap size!
All the best,
Lili
Hi – jist want to verify the color in sample photo is woodpile grey (though it may be obvious?). Thanks!
Hi Marilou,
Yes, we knit up our sample in Woodpile Gray!
All the best,
Lili
Hi hi Lili
I just got 9 skeins of partridge in a lovely deep dark red (red cedar I believe). I wondered if you would be willing to suggest cast on for a wrap and needle size to do this wrap in my partridge. Do you think this pattern will work with the thicker yarn.
Many thanks,
Jane
Hi Jane,
That’s a beautiful color of Partridge! However, I would not recommend using that yarn for the Fern Frost Wrap. Lace patterns like this are typically done in a much thinner yarn, like a lace weight or fingering weight, since they tend to look messy when done with a thicker yarn like Partridge.
I’d be happy to give you some recommendations for other patterns that will work much better for the yarn you have! We’ve already designed two wraps for Partridge specifically, the Lark Wrap and the Wild Grass Wrap. These will look stunning in Partridge!
All the best,
Lili
Hi, quick question. the pattern says slip all stitiches purl wise
but the typical SSk stitch is slipping them knit wise
so am i reading this correctly…slip them purl wise
do i knit them thru the back or the front of the stitch
all help is appreciated…
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out. Because the slipped stitches in an ssk are part of that stitch, and not “independent” slipped stitches, then you should slip them how you would normally for an ssk! Typically, any notes regarding slipped stitches only apply to slipped stitches on their own, not slipped stitches that are part of another stitch. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Just wanted to say this pattern is so sophisticated! Yesterday I started knitting a scarf for a someone special, and I love how the beauty of this pattern comes through, with each new row. It took me a very long time to find this gorgeous pattern, but I could not be happier. No questions or comments. Only wanted to thank Gaby Bush for this treasure. 🙂
Thank you so much for the kind words, Lee! I’ve passed along your comment to Gaby, and she was very happy to hear your thoughts on her design!
All the best,
Lili
I really want to knit the Fern Frost Scarf, but I would rather knit it in a more solid color. Can you suggest another of your yarns that would work in this pattern? I wouldn’t mind a little weathering, but I’m just not sure that I like the speckled look of Spindle. Thank you for your help!
Hi Karen,
Thanks for reaching out. Sweetgrass Fine would be the best fit for this pattern, since it’s another laceweight yarn! If you’re looking for a more saturated color though, then Quartz would also work. Quartz is a bit thicker than both Sweetgrass Fine and Spindle, so I’d recommend taking extra care to swatch beforehand to make sure you’re achieving the correct gauge!
All the best,
Lili
Hi,
Somehow I’m about 6 inches in and it seems like the pattern is upside down on the scarf. I cannot figure out what I’m doing. I’m working the chart from the bottom up right to left on right side lace row and left to right on the purl row.
Also it is a bit bunched in places. Does that come out with a good blocked at the end?
Thanks!
Hi Jane,
It sounds like you’re working through the pattern correctly! Since this pattern looks beautiful when held in either direction, it’s likely that the photos show it in a different orientation than the chart is written in. And any bunching of the fabric will definitely come out once the wrap is blocked! Blocking does wonders for lace designs.
All the best,
Lili
I did take your advice and am knitting this in a fingering weight instead of the partridge and it looks nice, even if somehow it looks upside down:)
Your pattern calls for US 2 (3mm) needle but a US 2 is 2.75 mm and a 3mm needle is US 2.5 so my question is is it a 2.75 mm or 3 mm needle. Thanks
Hi Kathy,
Thanks for reaching out. The metric sizes we indicate in our patterns might differ from what you’re used to since different needle companies sometimes assign the millimeter measurements to different US sizes. These inconsistencies, while frustrating, are very common when comparing needles, so when in doubt, rely on metric sizes…they’re standardized! And as long as you find needles with which you can achieve the correct gauge, those will work for the pattern!
All the best,
Lili
Thank you. I generally go by metric sizes. It’s so much easier
Hello, how many skeins for the wrap? The pattern says Scarf (Wrap) so I’m guessing it’s 3 for the wrap? Thanks!
Oops one more question -I love the wrap in the photo and it seems to have a brown tone but it’s WoodPile Gray? Does this gray have some brown in it?
Hi Kelly,
Yes, you’ll need 3 skeins of Spindle for the Wrap version! And Woodpile Gray does have some hints of brown in it. Some of the “burrs” are a warm, reddish brown. It’s a really beautiful and rustic-feeling mix of colors!
All the best,
Lili
A friend sent me three skeins of Spindle in both the heirloom white and house wren (so lucky!). I started on the fern frost wrap straightaway using the white. I’m loving both the yarn and the gorgeous design. Thank you Gaby for such a beautiful pattern. It suits the wool so well. I’m debating whether to block it as I love the ‘bobbled’ texture…Can you suggest any garments (thinking short sleeve/sleeveless tops?) using Spindle please? And thank you for all the knitting joy you’ve given me over many years! Sue
Hi Sue,
Thanks for writing in, and we’re so pleased to hear that you love this pattern! I’ll let Gaby know directly! We blocked our sample of the wrap since it opens up the lace stitches for a more defined pattern, but you’re welcome to leave yours the way it is if you like that look.
In answer to your other question, I’m afraid that we do not have any garment patterns along those lines for a lace weight yarn like Spindle. However, you could consider holding Spindle double and knitting a garment designed for a sportweight or DK weight yarn! Here’s a link to our sportweight and DK weight garment designs.
I hope this helps, and thanks again for your kind words!
All the best,
Lili
Thanks so much Lili, that’s a great idea. There’s plenty to choose from in your wonderful collection.
I need help. 🙁 I discovered a loose stitch on the edge of my Fern Frost Wrap project. With the “wrong side” facing me, it is on the edge on my right. So, the rows alternate Purl, Knit, Purl, Knit on this edge. (1) I’ve held the loop with a stitch marker, so it is not growing. (2) This section of the project has the correct number of stitches – 16 – on the needle. Do you have a tutorial video that might help me sort this out? I think the first thing is to get the free loop looped in along the edge as it should be, and then maybe knit/purl two together to carry on from here? Thanks for your help!!
Hi Hope,
Thank you for writing in! To pick up a dropped stitch you will want to complete the following steps:
1. Knit up to the column of stitches that contains the mistake and let that column unravel until you just pass the stitch with the mistake.
2. Insert a crochet hook into the bottom-most loop.
3. Slip the hook under the “bar” just above this loop.
4. Pull the bar through the loop, creating a new loop.
5. Repeat this process until you have no bars remaining, and one loop left on your hook.
6. Slip this final loop back onto the left needle.
At this point, you can hide your extra stitch by knitting two stitches together on the right side somewhere along your edges to not disrupt your lace pattern. I hope this helps but please let me know if you have any more questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
THANK YOU Gavriella!!
Are rows 4 and 6 just a repeat of row 2? The written instructions don’t say anything about that.
Hi Alyssa,
Yes exactly! You follow the instructions given for Row 2 for all following wrong side rows as well!
All the best,
Lili