Cables and Lace Wrap

Cables and Lace Wrap by Jennifer Chase-Rappaport

Project Overview

The Cables and Lace Wrap is an advanced-level knitted shawl designed by Jennifer Chase-Rappaport. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished wrap measuring 42 inches in length with a 15-inch depth, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a lightweight shawl. The design combines cable and lace techniques to create visual interest and texture throughout the piece.

What Is Being Made

This project produces a rectangular wrap with decorative cable and lace patterning. The wrap features a structured border on three sides and is designed as a one-size garment, making it accessible for knitters seeking a finished accessory without complex sizing adjustments. The combination of cables and lace creates an elegant, textured fabric suitable for both casual and dressy occasions.

Techniques Used

The Cables and Lace Wrap employs several intermediate to advanced knitting techniques that give the design its distinctive character:

• Cable work – The pattern incorporates cable stitches, specifically C4B (cable 4 back), which involves slipping stitches to a cable needle, holding them to the back of the work, knitting the next stitches, and then knitting the held stitches. This creates the dimensional, twisted rope-like texture characteristic of cable knitting.
• Lace construction – Yarn overs and decreases are used throughout to create openwork sections that add airiness and elegance to the wrap.
• Marker placement – Ring markers are strategically placed to help knitters track pattern repeats and maintain consistent stitch counts across the width of the wrap.
• Border edging – A small garter stitch border is worked on the first 3 and last 3 stitches throughout the project, creating a finished edge and preventing curl.
• Slip stitch techniques – The pattern uses slipped stitches both purlwise and through the back loop to create neat, finished edges and maintain pattern integrity.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes a focused set of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Knit (K) – The primary stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl (P) – Used to create texture and pattern variation
• Yarn over (Yo) – Creates the openwork lace sections by increasing stitches and forming decorative holes
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) – A right-leaning decrease used to balance yarn overs and shape the fabric
• Slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over (Skp) – A left-leaning decrease that pairs with yarn overs for lace patterning
• Make 1 (m1) – An increase stitch used to add stitches within the pattern
• Cable 4 back (C4B) – The signature cable stitch that creates the twisted, dimensional cable sections
• Slip stitch (sl) – Used both purlwise and through the back loop for edge definition

Materials and Tools

The Cables and Lace Wrap requires moderate yardage in an aran-weight yarn. The pattern specifies 3 skeins of Knitpicks' City Tweed HW, an aran-weight yarn that provides excellent stitch definition for both cable and lace work. Knitters will need Size 10 (6mm) needles to achieve the recommended gauge of 3.5 stitches per inch, along with a cable needle for managing cable stitches and 2 ring markers to track pattern sections. The pattern begins with a long-tail cast-on of 59 stitches, providing a solid foundation for the wrap's width.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is classified as advanced, making it suitable for experienced knitters who are comfortable with cable techniques, lace construction, and reading complex stitch patterns. The combination of cables and lace requires attention to detail and familiarity with multiple stitch types, though the structured border sections provide visual breaks and opportunities to practice foundational stitches.