The Synaptic Wrap was inspired by the indistinct photo of a pattern stitch in a 1936 knitting book. The description says it came from an item “said to be over a hundred years old.” If so, the stitch could date back two centuries!

When I knit this mysterious stitch myself, the result reminded me of neurons and synapses. I also just like how saying “Synaptic Wrap” sounds and feels.

Incorporating cables added structure and a nice shape to the wrap.

Cables and decreases are worked on the right and wrong side of the wrap. Because a centered double decrease (CDD) on the wrong side is not common, illustrated instructions are provided in an accompanying pdf file.

Notions: Cable needle, removable stitch marker, tapestry needle to weave in ends.

Techniques:
• 3x3 cables (c6b, c6f) right and wrong sides
• 3x1x3 cables (c7b, c7f) right and wrong sides
• centered double decrease (cdd) right and wrong sides
• knit and purl two stitches together (k2tog, p2tog)
• slip-slip-knit decrease (ssk) right side
• slip-slip-purl decrease (ssp) wrong side
• yarnover