VELELLA is a colorwork wrap featuring a detailed and elegant Persian-style motif, depicting a curiously beautiful sea creature called velella velella.

Velella velella, also known as by-the-wind sailors, are carried by the wind at the sails on their backs. When the winds change, they wash up ashore in the thousands, leaving a beautiful natural mosaic on our sandy beaches.

Knit in the round, then steeked and embellished with delicate fringe and generous tassels, Velella is a handmade piece to remember.

A smaller, more demure cowl version is included in the pattern, with the velella motif wrapping all the way around the neck. A simple yet striking statement piece for any outfit!

SIZING

One size

Finished measurements:

Wrap
Length: 45.5” / 114cm
Width: 25” / 62.5cm

Cowl
Circumference: 25” / 62.5cm
Height: 9.75” / 24.5cm

MATERIALS

Yarn: Fingering weight
Samples uses Little Fox YarnVixen, 80% superwash merino, 20% silk, 400 yds / 365 m per 100g skein

Wrap
C1: Chasing Blue Skies
C2: Blue Boy

Cowl
C1: Pennies from Heaven
C2: Honey Bear

Yardage:

Wrap
C1: 1074* yds / 982 m
C2: 713 yds / 652 m

*If not making tassels, C1 yardage is 870 yds / 796 m.

Cowl
C1: 185 yds / 170 m
C2: 97 yds / 89 m

Yardage estimates include yarn amount needed to knit a 4” x 4” (10cm x 10cm) swatch.

Your actual yardage may vary based on the weight of yarn used and/or any modifications you choose to make.

Needle size:
US 3/3.25mm, or size needed to obtain gauge, circular 24-29”/60-72.5cm
US 4/3.5mm, or one size larger than gauge needle, straight or single DPN for binding off

Depending on the yarn used, your needle size may vary to obtain gauge.

Tools:
Stitch markers, scrap yarn, tapestry needle, piece of cardboard (optional – for making tassels)

Gauge:
28 sts x 36 rows = 4” x 4” (10cm x 10cm) in stranded colorwork in the round, after washing and blocking

Note about swatch gauge vs final measurements: Your final measurements (after blocking) will reflect a slight decrease in width due to the twisted rib texture throughout the piece and a significant increase in length due to the size and weight of the fabric.

The variation in size will depend on the fiber content and treatment (superwash vs non-superwash) of the yarn you use.

SKILLS

Stranded colorwork, managing long floats, steeking