Meet the Stardrop Wrap:
If there are two words that describe the Stardrop Wrap, they are 'simple elegance.' Imagine beautiful, silvery starlight dropping from its perch in the clear night sky to spread itself gently over the sleeping ground below.
Worked outward in both directions from a central provisional cast-on, the delicate lace motif expands slowly and steadily across the wrap, displacing the stockinette until each side ends in a row of picots that complete the final row of stars. Because the two halves follow the same instructions instead of mirroring one another, the lace grows from opposite edges. The simple construction and six-stitch repeat make Stardrop's size straightforward to modify without losing the graceful look, and the pattern includes guidance about how to alter the width as well as the length.
The pattern is both written and charted.
All the Details:
SIZE
Length: 96.75” [245.5 cm]
Width: 18.5” [47 cm]
Measurements taken after firm blocking. Wrap will shrink some with wear.
YARN
Shown in The Zippy Zebra Mulberry Silk Fingering Weight (100% Mulberry Silk; 500 yd / 457 m per 100 g / 3.53 oz skein), 3 skeins; shown in Majestic Midnight
To substitute another fingering-weight yarn: 1,345 yd / 1,230 m of fingering weight yarn.
Total includes a 15% buffer. Pattern includes a note about altering the size to accommodate different put-ups.
Note: Stardrop was designed using yarn with very little give. If you will be using a bouncier yarn (for instance, one that contains nylon) or one with less yardage / meterage per 100 g / 3.53 oz, it is recommended that you go up a needle size or two to reduce how much the stockinette edges in the middle of the wrap roll. (Due to the nature of stockinette fabric, a little rolling is inevitable but generally hidden by the drape of the wrap.)
NEEDLES
US 3 [3.25 mm] 24" [60 cm] or longer circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge (see Note above regarding needle size for bouncier yarns)
Circular needles approximately two sizes smaller than main needles (for Turkish cast-on)
NOTIONS
3 stitch markers, 2 point protectors (optional), spare cable or waste yarn (optional), lifeline yarn (optional, but highly recommended; the lace is difficult to tink), tapestry needle
GAUGE
23.5 stitches and 33 rows = 4” [10 cm] in stockinette stitch after firm blocking
24 stitches and 32 rows of Lace = 4.25" [11 cm] wide and 4" [10 cm] high after firm blocking
Gauge is not crucial but will affect yardage used and final dimensions. If you are using a yarn that is very different from the sample, it is recommended that you swatch, particularly in stockinette, with different needle sizes until you find a fabric you like.
TECHNIQUES
Turkish cast-on, single and double decreases, yarn overs, knitting/purling through the back loop, knit 1 below, picot bind-off. Pattern includes links to more information about required stitches and techniques.
Here’s how testers described knitting Stardrop: stunning, challenging, rewarding, absorbing, fun, satisfying, luscious, joyful, versatile, elegant, beautiful, fascinating, meditative, juicy, epic, fancy, magic, engrossing, interesting, worthwhile, inspirational, expansive, “glamorous but simple,” “a wardrobe staple,” and "well worth it."
Want to knit Stardrop?
Stardrop is available for purchase through Ravelry and Payhip. If you are not using Ravelry at the moment, you can include your Ravelry name with your Payhip order and I will gift you a copy of the pattern on Ravelry so it’s waiting for you once the accessibility options are resolved. Questions? Please reach out.
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