Skein Lane – IN THE LOOP

Margo’s version = neck fitting scarf

Carolyn’s version = more drape around the neck creating cowl effect.

Jean just happened to wear the perfect sweater to model Carolyn’s version

This garter stitch scarf was such a fun project. I initially blogged about this on Oct 12 when I first felt this lovely yarn Acadia at Avenue Yarns. My instant reaction was “Oh, what can I knit with this?!” It quickly came to me that I would knit my version of Margot’s scarf. My version was a finer weight yarn – DK rather than worsted. I wanted a change in fiber both in texture and color for the ruffle. Yes, if you look close enough at the ruffle you will see that there is a slight variation in the color and the weight. As soon it came off the needles and I tried it on…..I was even more pleased with the results. It will be another “go to” scarf for me. My current “go to” is the hitchhiker scarf that I finished early last year (2014).

Here are the details of my version……

Body of scarf was knit (size 6 ndl) with 2 skeins (145 yds ea)  of DK weight Acadia – 60% Merino Wool, 20% Baby Alpaca, 20% Silk. The ruffle was knit (size 5 ndl) with Malibrigo Superwash sock weight yarn.

Instructions  – Body of Scarf

• Cast on 5 sts.
• Increase section – This is a 4-row repeat (used in many rounded scarf patterns).
  • Rows 1 & 3 (RS): Knit
  • Rows 2 (WS): Bring yarn forward, slip first 2 sts (purlwise) to right hand needle, bring yarn to the back, knit to end.
    • This is the beginning of the applied I-cord which is created every other row.  If you want a wider I-cord, consider slipping 3 stitches.
  • Row 4 (WS) Bring yarn forward, slip first 2 sts (purlwise) to right hand needle, bring yarn to the back, k to last stitch, M1, K last stitch.
    • This row (which happens on every 4th row) creates the curve on the edge where ruffle will be added/attached.
• Repeat the above 4-row repeat until the scarf is as deep and 1/2 wide as you would like. In my case, it was 8″ deep (from I-cord edge to the edge for ruffle) and then knit 8″ more to center of scarf with rows 1 and 2 of the 4-row repeat. (Remember row 4 has the increase for the curve and you are not curving right now.) One skein was used for this first half of scarf. Join 2nd skein and knit 8″ more.
• Decrease section – This is another 4-row repeat.
  • Rows 1 & 3 (RS): Knit
  • Rows 2 (WS): Bring yarn forward, slip first 2 sts (purlwise) to right hand needle, bring yarn to the back, knit to end.
    • This is the continuation of the applied I-cord which is created every other row.
  • Row 4 (WS) Bring yarn forward, slip first 2 sts (purlwise) to right hand needle, bring yarn to the back, k to last stitch 2 stitches, K2tog.
    • This row (which happens on every 4th row) creates the decrease shaping of the curve on the edge where ruffle will be added/attached.
    • Continue until 5 sts remain.
• Bind off.

Instructions  – Ruffle  Note: the design possibilities are endless – dare to be creative.

• With circular needle (size 5 in my version), with right side facing you pickup 2 stitches on bind-off edge, 1 stitch in each ridge stitch valley, 2 stitches on cast-on edge.
• Row 1 (WS)- Knit
• Row 2 (RS) – Increase for ruffle. For a slight ruffle, you can either increase in each stitch by Knit in front and back of stitch or you could make 1 between each stitch. I wanted a slightly fuller ruffle so I made 3 stitches out of one by Knit in the front, Knit in the back, Knit in the front.
• Knit 7 rows or desired number for depth of ruffle.
  •  On row 5 I added an eyelet detail.
    • *K2tog, YO*, repeat to end.
    • Knit
    • I used P2 tog bind off which creates a beautiful “elastic” garter finish.

ps….later today I will fine tune this with a legend for the knitting terms.