Open Air Wrap In Handwritten
In our beautiful, new Handwritten cotton, our Open Air Wrap is as light as a cloud floating across the sky, as crisp as a breeze against your skin, and as fresh as, well, a step out into the open air!
The Open Air Wrap may look like a complicated bit of lacework, but in reality, it’s just one easy row repeated.
The simple mesh this creates is perfectly poised to feature a truly special yarn, and our Handwritten is happy to tell its story!
Made in Japan from 100% organically grown cotton, Handwritten is as elegant as a line of cursive. A fine, flat ribbon, its structure has a crispness that gives hand knits more volume and dimension than you might expect from a laceweight yarn.
This tendency to hold its shape, along with using two different-color strands of Handwritten, allows us to knit this wrap at a generous open gauge…. A much snappier knit than most lace projects!
Handwritten comes on an adorable spool that holds over 900 yards of ready-to-go yarn. With so much yardage, you’ll only need two spools for an Open Air Wrap!
And now for the really fun part! Finding the color combo that calls your name. We have twenty-six gorgeous colors of Handwritten and thirteen Open Air Wrap Bundles to choose from.
The Ocean Teal and Prairie Clover bundle, above, shows just how richly dye gets absorbed by this cotton… So vivid and beautiful!
We also combined soft and gentle colors, like the Warm Peanut and Autumn Gold we used for the sun-dappled sample above, and lovely Wild Hyacinth and Silver Iris in the sample below.
Pick up a two-spool Open Air Wrap Bundle, or make your own from Handwritten’s striking palette, and cast on for this signature wrap!
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!
Originally designed by Purl Soho designer Whitney Van Nes and updated for Handwritten by Purl Soho designer Hiromi Glover! Click here to see even more of Hiromi’s work!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoOpenAirWrap, and #PurlSohoHandwritten. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
Our Open Air Wrap Bundle has all the yarn needed to make your own wrap. It includes…
- 2 cones of Purl Soho’s Handwritten, 100% organically grown cotton. Each cone is 930 yards/ 100 grams.
- Color A: 1 cone; approximately 930 total yards required
- Color B: 1 cone; approximately 930 total yards required
You’ll also need…
- US 4 (3.5 mm), 24-inch circular needles
Choose A Bundle
Choose from thirteen Open Air Bundles!
For our samples, shown in the stack above, we used, from top to bottom, Warm Peanut + Autumn Gold, Cadmium Red + Pale Almond, Wild Hyacinth + Silver Iris, Prairie Clover + Ocean Teal, and Deep Water Blue + Heirloom White.
And your remaining options are…
Shibori Blue + Blue Rain
Terra Green + Grass Green
Ginger Tea + Turquoise Sea
Wild Thyme + Pale Pistachio
Gray Dune + Gray Willow
Peach Earth + Pink Heather
Pomegranate Red + Frost Blue
Cocoa Bean + Deep Aubergine
GAUGE
17 stitches = 4 inches in stitch pattern, blocked, holding one strand of Colors A and B together
SIZE
Finished Dimensions, Blocked: 20¼ inches wide x 72 inches long
NOTES
For how-to photos of both the following techniques, please visit our original Open Air Wrap story.
YARN OVER BEFORE PURL STITCH
The first yarn over of each row happens after a knit stitch, so you need to first bring the working yarn forward into the purl position. From there, you’ll work as you do for every other yarn over in the row: Bring the yarn from the purl position up and over the right needle, wrapping in an away-from-you motion and returning the yarn to the purl position, ready to work a p2tog!
PURL 2 TOGETHER (P2tog)
In this stitch pattern, you will make every purl 2 together by inserting the right needle into first the purl 2 together from the previous round and then the yarn over from the previous round. Then, as with any normal purl stitch, you will wrap the working yarn counter-clockwise around the right needle and pull a stitch through. Drop the two stitches from the left needle and get ready to yarn over!
WHY P2TOG AND NOT K2TOG?
In this pattern, when you purl 2 together, you insert the right needle into a p2tog from the previous round and then a yarn over, which is actually easy to do! But if you were to knit 2 together, your right needle would have to first go into the yarn over, which doesn’t have much tension on it and would be a bit dicey to grab with your needle. In addition, working all k2tog’s tends to create a biased finished fabric… Not the end of the world, but something to consider!
PATTERN
Holding Colors A and B together, cast on 86 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Row 1: K1, *yarn over, purl 2 together, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Repeat Row 1 until you have used both cones, minus several yards. [Piece measures approximately 72 inches from cast-on edge]
Bind off loosely, purling each stitch.
Weave in the ends and gently wet block.
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!
can this be made with only one cone of yarn or would it be too thin?
Hi Rebecca,
You can absolutely knit this wrap with just 1 strand of Handwritten! It will definitely be very light and airy, but I think that would be an incredible effect with this yarn!
All the best,
Lili
Can you suggest other yarns or yarn combinations for this sweet wrap? This yarn seems to give a casual look, perhaps something a little dressier?
Thank you!
Hi Joyce,
We’ve previously designed this pattern in a few different yarns, and I think the version for Tussock may be just what you’re looking for! Tussock is a blend of silk and mohair, so I think it feels dressier than many of our other yarns.
All the best,
Lili
Would it be possible to make a baby blanket from two spools?
And is this a soft yarn…it looks suspect to me, but since it is 100% cotton…I’m thinking it should be nice and soft.
Thank you,
Michelle
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for reaching out! While you absolutely could make a baby blanket with Handwritten, I don’t think it would be the best choice. Handwritten has more of a “crisp” texture to it, so it’s probably not as soft as you’re envisioning. Our other cotton yarns are actually much softer, and I’d be happy to give you some recommendations if you’d like other ideas!
All the best,
Lili
Beautiful piece!
Is this yarn suitable for weaving? The colors are more intense than many weaving cottons and would be beautiful in a woven wrap.
Hi Thea,
While Handwritten is a very strong yarn if you’re using it for shorter stitches like embroidery, crocheting, and knitting, I would hesitate to use it as a warp for weaving. It’s incredibly inelastic and difficult to get even tension. I would be worried about it snapping as well. You could however use it as your weft for some eye-popping colors!
All the best,
Lili
I recently purchased Linen Quill for this wrap, but now I’m intrigued with Handwritten Cotton! With two strands in this open air wrap (I’ve made it with Tussock in the past), would this cotton produce a heavy wrap? In weights, would Linen Quill be mid-weight compared to Handwritten and Tussock?
Hi Margaret,
Great question! It’s actually possible to tell the exact weight of each wrap based on their yardage:
1. The wrap in Handwritten uses 2 cones of Handwritten, each weighing 100g, so the finished wrap will weigh 200g.
2. The wrap in Tussock uses 3 skeins of Tussock, each weighing 25g, so the finished wrap will weigh 75g.
3. The wrap in Linen Quill uses 2 skeins of Linen Quill, each weighing 100g, so the finished wrap will weight 200g.
So a wrap in Handwritten will weigh the same as a wrap in Linen Quill, but either of those will weigh significantly more than a wrap in Tussock!
All the best,
Lili
Ah-ha! Thank you! I’ll stick with Linen Quill for this time, but may just have to try the Handwritten Cotton for next time.
How does one sew in the ends? I’m terrible at doing it with ‘regular’ yarn, but this is described as “flat”. Do you use a matching thread to sew the ends? I want to be sure I could finish it properly.
Hi Claire,
Thanks for reaching out! For this pattern, I’d suggest switching yarn at the edge (rather than mid row). This way, you can weave in your ends up or down along the length of the scarf. We’ve found that this was the best option, since you can’t really weave in ends on lace as you would on other knit fabric. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Open Air Wrap loves all yarns. I have made this pattern in so many different types or combos of yarns. They all look great and it is easy to get into the swing of the pattern. Guess I’ll have to try it with cotton next. Thanks PurlSoHo
I just ordered some Handwritten and can’t wait to knit an Open Air Wrap for my daughter. I think she’ll love the cotton.
Do you have suggestions for loosening my stitches? Each stitch feels like a fight- im normally a looser knitter and have to size needles down. But these p2tog are TIGHT! I casted on using 2 needles to have plenty of room- first row was great- 2nd row and beyond a nightmare and making my hands so sore! I love this (and all of your patterns) so much! I think I’m focused on keeping the YO tidy and making it too tight there? I welcome any suggestions! Thank you!
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for writing in, although I’m sorry to hear that you’re having trouble knitting this stitch pattern! To make your stitches looser, you could try using larger needles. That will automatically enlarge the stitches, without you having to manually adjust your tension. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
I’m just starting to knit up this wrap pattern with Handwritten and so far the piece feels quite stiff. I’m hoping the wrap will soften as I go and even further when it is blocked. It that true?
Hi Ann,
Thanks for reaching out! Plant fibers actually tend not to soften up very much once blocked, but instead require some handling in order to soften. So once you’ve finished your wrap and wear it around a bit, it’ll start to become softer!
All the best,
Lili
Just wanted to say how beautiful this kit is. My friend Stephen ordered it for me, and I received it today. I cast on, and have knitted three rows so far. Haven’t worked with cotton since the 80’s knitting shells. Nothing this thin and luxurious. I chose the Prairie Clover and Ocean Teal kit. I love that you put it in a drawstring pouch. Thanks
I just purchased all the colors in Sweet Grass Fine to play with. Do you think I can knit this shawl out of the lace weight or do I need to hold two strands together?
I love most of your designs especially because the finished products do not look like you are wearing grandma’s table cloth. Can you suggest other patterns that are suitable for the yarn?
Hi Jan,
I think either would work great, but they’ll result in different textures! Since you’ll have the yarn already, I’d recommend knitting up one swatch for each option. That way you can compare them directly and choose which you prefer!
And I’d be happy to recommend some other patterns for Sweetgrass Fine! We’ve designed the following patterns specifically for this yarn:
Palmetto Wrap
Raised Ridge Wrap
Botanical Lace Wrap
Osmosis Wrap (with Tussock)
And I also think that it would be suitable for the following patterns as well:
Tulle Wrap
Seashell Lace Wrap
Dewdrops Wrap
Checkerboard Lace Scarf
Let me know what you think of these options!
All the best,
Lili
Hi. I love this pattern and just finished one wrap but would like to do something different with the same yarn. Any suggestions for other patterns for the handwritten?
Hi Jessica,
Thanks for reaching out! Here are some patterns that I think would be lovely knit up in Handwritten:
Slip Stitch Summer Cowl
Lace Columns Wrap
Bobble Edge Wrap
Knit + Fold Bandana
If you do try out any of these patterns, with any yarn substitutions we also highly recommend doing a gauge swatch to make sure your gauge is consistent with the pattern. You might find that you need to adjust your needle size! Here’s our guide on swatching if you’d like more information.
All the best,
Lili
I’m interested in making a lightweight blanket for a bed by sewing two or three wraps together. After reading some of the comments I’m concerned it might not be very comfortable. Thoughts?
Hi Frankie,
Thanks for reaching out. If you’re looking for a soft and cozy blanket, then Handwritten is probably not the best choice! However, the Open Air Wrap pattern is extremely versatile and can be made with any yarn. In your case, I’d say that an animal fiber yarn like Line Weight or Quartz might be a better selection, since these yarns are warm and soft. Also, you don’t even need to sew multiple wraps together–you can easily cast on more stitches at the beginning and knit across the full width of the blanket!
All the best,
Lili
I am struggling so with this project. It’s so simple yet I’m not getting it. Started over three times..onto my 4th. CO 86 sts. K1. I think I am messing up here. Do I create a yarn over then p2tog. All the way across. YO, P2tog then K1. My stitch count is off. I either end up with 87 or 2 sts short. Grrr. Please help! Thank you.
Hi Barb,
Thanks for writing in, although I’m sorry to hear that you’re having difficulty with this pattern! Yes, you will repeat yo, p2tog until the final stitch, and then knit that stitch. If you’re ending up with one additional stitch at this point, you may be working an extra yo at some point (likely after the final p2tog!), and if you’re ending up with too few stitches, then you may be skipping a yo or two within the row. To help avoid these things happening, I’d recommend going very slowly through the row, and double checking regularly after knitting a few stitches. Hope this helps you get started!
All the best,
Lili
This is not yarn, This is a thread and quite difficult to work because it slips off the needle and your hand. Two spools also adds to the difficulty. Such an easy pattern and lovely but there’s no rhythm because the yarn over gets caught in the prior stitch and must be separated from it. I take full responsibility because I didn’t fully realize the flatness of this thread but the photos reveal it with closer inspection. I’m hoping after washing the scarf will feel softer. I’m truly disappointed with my purchase.
Hi Mary,
I’m so sorry to hear that you had an unpleasant time working with Handwritten! Knitting should be a fun and relaxing experience, not a frustrating one, and I absolutely understand how disappointing it is when this isn’t the case. While we love the unique texture of this yarn, flat yarns are certainly not everybody’s cup of tea!
The good news is that we’ve found that Handwritten will soften considerably as you keep wearing the wrap. While blocking actually tends to stiffen plant fibers like cotton and linen, machine washing and general wear-and-tear soften them up quite a bit!
I hope this helps you enjoy the wrap you’ve knit, and we’re always happy to give you recommendations or inspiration for your next project!
All the best,
Lili
I’ve given this project a second try and I am learning the feel of the yarn and its challenges. I found a shaker coat rack with two tall pegs that perfectly fit two cones. My frustrations are melting away! Thank you for your encouragement.
Hi Mary,
We could not be happier to hear that you’ve found your rhythm with this yarn and pattern! It’s definitely a unique knitting experience, and we are so glad you’ve found a way to enjoy it. I love Handwritten’s crisp feel and the volume it brings to the finished fabric, but I agree it takes a little getting used to. Thank you so much for the update, and we hope you love your Open Air wrap when it’s finished!
Best,
Whitney
Hi
Wondering if you all have a crochet pattern to make a wrap using Handwritten. I love the open air look and the color combinations.
Thanks,Magge
Hi Magge,
Thank you for writing in! We do not currently have an exact crochet pattern similar to this wrap but our Ripple scarf crocheted with a larger gauge could definitely get you a similar look! Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Happy making,
Gavriella
I’m intrigued with the idea of making this wrap. I love the color mustard and wonder if you can give me your opinion on a color mix to achieve that. I’m considering mixing Autumn Gold with either Ginger Tea or Peach Earth. What do you think? Thanks, Dawn
Hi Dawn,
We are thrilled that this pattern caught your eye! Autumn Gold and Ginger Tea would pair wonderfully together with their complementing gold tones. I think pairing these two colors will get you the exact look you are going for! Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
I love the effect of the two colors together! I am a loose knitter and when using cotton can have flare at my cast on and bind off rows. I typically use a long tail cast on, if none is specified. Any suggestions on a different cast on/bind off or ways I can prevent the flare at the beginning and end of the project?
Hi Heidi,
Thank you for writing in! One thing you could try is to cast on with a needle size smaller than the one you use for the main body of your project. This would allow your cast on to stay nice and tight to keep in line with the rest of your project. I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Would this pattern work as a scarf? If yes how much yarn will I need?
Hi Fran,
Thank you for writing in! This wrap would work wonderfully as a scarf and we still recommend using two cones (1 cone of color A and 1 cone of color B) of handwritten to get the color effects you see here.
To modify this pattern you will want to start with a gauge swatch. You will then measure your stitches per inch and multiply that number by the desired width of your blanket and that will give you your cast on number. One thing to keep in mind is that this pattern is worked over a multiple of two, so you will want to start with an even number of stitches. I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
I find I’m that, although I like the colors I chose, I am not at all happy with the look of this wrap in real life.
Do you have suggestions for other patterns that would be suitable for these yarns?
Hi Judy,
Could you let me know if you are using Handwritten? We have a few versions of this pattern with different yarns so I’d just like to confirm. In the meantime, I’ll keep an eye out for your reply!
All the best,
Gavriella
I’ve never done long tail cast on. How much of a tail is needed tocast on 86 stitches?
Hi Brenda,
Thank you for writing in! You can estimate your cast on length by wrapping your yarn around your needle 43 times and then doubling it. This will help you get an idea of just how much yarn you will need for your tail. I hope this helps!
All the best,
Gavriella
I’m about to start my wrap. Any tips for working with flat yarn? Does it get twisted and I should hang to untwist? Thanks for any suggestions. 🙂
Hi Andrea,
We have not experienced any extreme twisting with Handwritten! However, if you do encounter some, then I’d recommend letting the slight twists of the yarn go into your stitches as they appear. You may feel the urge to smooth out any irregularities in the texture before knitting each stitch, but this actually causes the twisting to build up further. Ignoring the smaller twisting will make a huge difference without altering the appearance of the knitted fabric! And even if you do notice some odd stitches, these will even out once you block your finished project.
All the best,
Lili
I have 2 cones of Handwritten, am thinking about a different pattern rather than the open stitch wrap.
Would this yarn work well in a moebious cowl or would it be too stiff?
I am intrigued with a flat yarn for something different.
I bought navy and I guess a cream.
Hi Harriet,
Thank you for writing in! We are so happy you have taken an interest in this yarn. Handwritten could work well for any project that calls for fingering weight yarn but we recommend always knitting a gauge swatch just to be sure you are happy with the fabric. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
I am sorry to say that I am confused that this cotton is considered a yarn-I am finding it so thin and hard to work with. Also, is there a video of the P2tog technique? It seemed fine on the first row but when I got to the second row it seemed twisted and I wasn’t sure which stitches to purl first. I was so excited to find a new project but really am not enjoying this one due to the nature of the yarn. Any help would be sincerely appreciated.
Hi Phyllis,
I’m so sorry to hear that you haven’t been enjoying knitting with Handwritten! We really love this yarn, but understand it’s not for everyone.
While we have not created a tutorial for the p2tog stitch, I’d recommend looking it up in your favorite search engine, and lots of videos will come up! You can also schedule a 1-On-1 Help session with us if you’d like to see a demonstration.
All the best,
Lili
Thank you for your response. I have tried 3 times-once just using a single strand-it is so hard to see the stitches with this size needle and this tiny thread with no give. Do you have another scarf pattern to recommend that is totally simple and you don’t have to search for the yarn overs? I wish I had read some of the comments before making this yarn purchase. I just would like to use it up with something very easy. Thank you.
Hi Phyllis,
We are so sorry this pattern is giving you trouble! I’m afraid we won’t have another pattern in this particular yarn but our Elementary wrap would make a wonderful option for this yarn. You can also see the full collection of the pattern here. Another great pattern to try would be out Dotty Scarf which can be found here.
I hope this helps but please let me know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Gavriella