Sometimes you just want to use a whole bunch of yarns together, whether they’re leftovers or mini skeins. Bonus if the pattern is pretty without being too intense to knit. Enter Chromatica: With its v-shaped bands, delicate geometric lace, and little pops of simple mosaic, it’s eye-catching, colorful, and wonderfully flexible. Your stash—and your wardrobe—will thank you!

According to Merriam Webster, chromatic means “highly colored,” which seems pretty appropriate for a wrap designed to use twelve different colors. Coincidentally, chromatic also refers to the musical scale that results when you play all twelve half-steps in order.

Chromatica is knit in one piece from end to end. A central double decrease and a pair of edge increases on right-side rows form its right angles, and omitting the edge increases for the final rows creates a symmetrical shape. Short sections of simple mosaic bridge colorful bands of geometric lace.

The pattern is both written and charted. It includes guidance on altering the size, an alternate to the mosaic transition between colors that achieves more of an overall fade effect, and a link to a free row tracker and weight-based planning worksheet to help you customize your version.

SIZE
Length (point to point): 93” / 236 cm
Width: 18.5” / 47 cm
Measurements taken after firm blocking.

YARN
C1-12: McMullin Fiber Co. Squishy Sock Mega MiniSkein Set (80% Merino, 20% Nylon; 90 yd / 83 m per 25 g / 0.9 oz skein), 12 miniskeins; shown in the Provence Collection (C1: Lavender Fields; C2: Chantilly Cream; C3: Aubergine; C4: Ink; C5: French Green; C6: Côte d’Azur; C7: Soleil; C8: Black Truffle; C9: Rooftops; C10: Autumn Ember; C11: Willow; and C12: Canelle)

To substitute another fingering-weight yarn:
C1-12: approximately 90 yd / 83 m of fingering-weight yarn. Pattern can also be worked using 360 yd / 332 m of three different fingering-weight yarns or any mix of yarns in multiples of 90 yd / 83 m.

Totals include an 8% buffer. Pattern includes guidance on choosing colors for mosaic knitting and a link to a free planning worksheet.

NEEDLES
US 4 3.5 mm circular needles, or size needed to obtain gauge

US 5 3.75 mm circular needles, or one size larger than main needles (switching needle sizes is optional but will help even out the width difference between the lace and mosaic sections)

NOTIONS
1 stitch marker (optional), tapestry needle

GAUGE
16 stitches and 16 rows of Body Lace, right half (two repeats) = 3.5” / 9 cm wide and 2” / 5 cm high using smaller needles after firm blocking. Gauge is not crucial but will affect yardage used and final dimensions.

TECHNIQUES
Single increases, single and double decreases, yarn overs, basic mosaic knitting. Pattern includes links to more information about required stitches and techniques.

Here’s how testers described Chromatica: Delightful, fun, easy, colorful, interesting, satisfying, hypnotic, creative, versatile, relaxing, engaging, meditative, enjoyable, joyful, a stashbuster, customizable, soothing, relaxing, repetitive, educational, “absolutely fulfilling,“ a “fantastic use for leftovers,” and “a love letter to hand-dyed yarn.”

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