The Mercator projection is a mapping technique developed by a Flemish cartographer in 1569 that became the nautical mapping standard of its age. The Mercator projection takes our roughly spherical world and converts it into something flat, rectangular, and easy to use.

This pattern aims to do the same thing - by letting you convert a giant ball of yarn into a rectangular, easy-to-wear wrap!

Constructed with only knit stitches and with a clever turn enabled by short row techniques, you’ll end up with a soft, squishy, garter stitch wrap that looks like you’ve knit it in the round. Your gradient yarn will thank you.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Skills Needed: Knit, Judy’s Magic Cast on, increases (m1R and  m1L, yo).

Finished Size: 15 inches / 38.5 cm wide, 49 inches / 125 cm long.

Yarn: Helix Giant Gradient, 710 y / 240 g. Shown in color Violets with Golden Eyes.

Needles: U.S. size 5 / 3.75 mm circular needle, 40 inch / 100 cm cable length, or any size yielding correct gauge, plus one additional circular needle in the same size (32 inch / 80 cm length or longer cable) for cast on.

Optional: Three (3) size 5 / 3.75 mm double-pointed needles.

Gauge: 19 stitches / 42 rows over 4 inches / 10 cm in garter stitch after blocking.