The Deep End Wrap

The Deep End Knitted Wrap by Carolyn Stanton

Project Overview

The Deep End is an intermediate-level knitted wrap designed by Carolyn Stanton. This elegant shawl features two coordinating panels worked in DK weight yarn, creating a sophisticated layering piece suitable for various occasions. The design combines colorwork with lace stitch patterning to produce a refined, wearable accessory.

What Is Being Made

This project creates a knitted wrap consisting of two panels, each measuring 40cm wide by 72cm long. The wrap is designed to be worn as a shawlette or shoulder wrap, providing warmth and style. The two-panel construction allows for versatility in how the finished piece can be styled and worn.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Sirdar Snuggly Baby Bamboo DK (or any 8 ply / DK weight yarn). Colour 1 requires 5 x 50g balls (475 meters / 520 yards); Colour 2 requires 2 x 50g balls (190 meters / 208 yards)
• Needles: 3.25mm (US 3) knitting needles, either straight needles or circular needles with a 60cm cable
• Additional Tools: 4mm crochet hook for finishing

Knitting Techniques Used

The Deep End employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques. The wrap is worked flat, meaning it is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round. Colorwork is incorporated through yarn changes between the two color sections. The design features lace stitch patterning, which creates an openwork effect through strategic yarn overs and decreases, adding visual interest and drape to the finished wrap.

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The pattern utilizes the following core stitches:

• Knit (K): The fundamental knit stitch, worked on right-side rows
• Purl (P): The reverse of the knit stitch, worked on wrong-side rows
• Slip Stitch (SL1): A stitch slipped from one needle to another without working it, used for edge definition
• Yarn Over (YO): An increase created by wrapping yarn around the needle, which creates the openwork characteristic of lace knitting
• Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK): A left-leaning decrease worked by slipping two stitches individually and then knitting them together through their back loops
• Knit Two Together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease that reduces stitch count while creating decorative shaping

The main body pattern is established over two rows that repeat throughout the project. The right-side row features the sequence (YO, SSK, YO, K2tog, K1) repeated across, creating a balanced lace motif. The wrong-side row uses a combination of purl and knit stitches to support the lace pattern. This two-row repeat is worked 71 times, producing 143 rows total or approximately 52cm of fabric before the color change.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 10cm when worked in the established stitch pattern. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the intended finished dimensions of each panel.

Difficulty Level

Rated as intermediate, The Deep End is suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with lace stitches and manage multiple colors. The combination of yarn overs, decreases, and color changes requires attention to detail and familiarity with reading knitting patterns, but the straightforward flat construction and repeating pattern make it accessible to advancing knitters.