GUERNSEY WRAP FISHERMAN-INSPIRED TEXTURE
by Jared Flood
BLUEPRINT MATERIALS Approximately 630 yards of worsted-weight wool yarn Sample shown in Brooklyn Tweed SHELTER (100 % US Targhee-Columbia Wool; 140 yards/50g) 5 skeins in “Soot”
GAUGE 18 stitches & 27 rows to 4 inches in textured pattern before blocking 14 stitches & 24 rows to 4 inches in textured pattern after blocking
NEEDLES One set of straight or circular needles in size needed to obtain gauge listed above Suggested needle size: US 8 (5mm)
TOOLS Blunt tapestry needle, T-pins and blocking wires for blocking, stitch markers (optional)
FINISHED DIMENSIONS 17” x 74” rectangle after blocking
SKILL LEVEL ooaaa
SCHEMATIC CHART A Repeat rows 1-78 twice; rows 1-58 once
CHART B Work once
CHART C Repeat rows 1-78 twice; rows 21-78 once
B I N D O F F E D G E
C A S T O N E D G E
TOTAL LENGTH
74” after blocking
H g n T i k D I c o l W b L r e t A f a T ” O 7 T 1
PATTERN This simple rectangle, adorned with knit-and-purl patterns found on traditional Guernsey sweaters, creates a luxurious and versatile wrap. The key element in this project is the blocking method, which utilizes blocking wires (traditionally used for lace knitting). Extreme blocking will yield the intended dimensions and ideal drape for the nished product. Blocking wires allow for extreme stretching of the fabric while maintaining a crisp, straight edge on all sides.
Using the Long-Tail Method, cast on 58 stitches in a relaxed manner. A stretchy cast-on method (like the NOTE suggested Long-Tail) is important to remember when working fabrics that need generous elasticity for nishing. ROW 1 (RS) ROW 2 (WS)
Knit all stitches. Knit all stitches.
Work Rows 1-24 of Chart B once. Work Rows 1-78 of Chart C two times. Now, work Rows 21-78 of Chart C once more. NEXT ROW NEXT ROW
Knit all stitches. Knit all stitches.
Repeat the last 2 rows twice more, establishing three ridges of Garter Stitch. Bind o all stitches using an elastic method (I recommend a Sewn Bind O for best results). Weave in all ends invisibly on the WS of fabric.
Repeat the last 2 rows twice more, establishing three ridges of Garter Stitch. Work Rows 1-78 of Chart A two times. The bracketed 12-stitch motif repeats itself 4 NOTE times on every row. Because wrap is worked at (knitting on both Right and Wrong Sides of fabric) be sure to pay attention to each symbols RS and WS instructions. The rst and last 3 stitches of every row are knitted to form a Garter Stitch “frame”. Now, work Rows 1-58 of Chart A once more.
WWW.BROOKLYNTWEED.NET
All images, text, and illustration copyright Brooklyn Tweed 2010
FINISHING
As mentioned earlier, the blocking process for this project is the key to proper drape and size. The instructions provided below will walk you through the process. Fill a sink or basin with warm water, adding a capful of your favorite wool wash (I like using “rinseless” soaps because they do not require you to give your fabric a second soak in water). Fully submerge your fabric and gently squeeze out as many air bubbles as possible. Your goal is to have the ber equally saturated with moisture throughout the entire piece. Continue massaging fabric until it stays under water on its own. Let soak for at least 10-15 minutes. Drain sink and squeeze as much water out of your piece as possible, being careful never to wring your fabric. Now,
roll your piece between two clean bath towels (“burrito” style) and stomp on the roll of towels to remove excess moisture. Unroll and take your wrap from the towels -- it should feel damp but not saturated. Run blocking wires along each side of rectangle (use as many as you need), making sure to be consistent with placement as you skim them under and over your stitches. I like to run my wires between the edge (selvedge) stitch and its neighboring stitch, going under and over the fabric once per every Garter Stitch Ridge (see photo below). When you have completely “framed” your rectangle with the wires, stretch the fabric rmly to measurements, using T-pins to secure the placement of the wires to your blocking surface. Air dry.
BLOCKING WITH WIRES
WWW.BROOKLYNTWEED.NET
All images, text, and illustration copyright Brooklyn Tweed 2010
GUERNSEY WRAP CHARTS The following charts are worked back and forth. All odd-numbered rows fall on the RS of your fabric and are read from right to left, all even-numbered rows fall on the WS of your fabric and are read from left to right. The symbol legend is located on the following page.
C H A R T A
78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60
C H A R T C
78 77 76 75 74 73 72 71 70 69 68 67 66 65 64 63 62 61 60
59 59 58 58 57 57 56 56 55 55 54 54 53 53 52 52 51 51 50 50 49 49 48 48 47 47 46 46 45 45 44 44 43 43 42 42 41 41 40 40 39 39 38 38 37 37 36 36 35 35 34 34 33 33 32 32 31 31 30 30 29 29 28 28 27 27 26 26 25 25 24 24 23 23 22 22 21 21 20 20 19 19 18 18 17 17 16 16 15 15 14 14 13 13 12 12 11 11 10 10 9 9 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1
12-STITCH REPEAT
WWW.BROOKLYNTWEED.NET
12-STITCH REPEAT
All images, text, and illustration copyright Brooklyn Tweed 2010
GUERNSEY WRAP CHARTS The following chart is worked back and forth. All odd-numbered rows fall on the RS of your fabric and are read from right to left, all even-numbered rows fall on the WS of your fabric and are read from left to right.
C H A R T B
24 23
22
LEGEND
21
20
RS
Knit
WS
Purl
RS
Purl
WS
Knit
19
18 17
16 15
14 13
12 11
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
12-STITCH REPEAT
WWW.BROOKLYNTWEED.NET
All images, text, and illustration copyright Brooklyn Tweed 2010