I am late at posting today! I cut my finger (ow, ow, ow!) and got behind in doing the stuff that needed to be done earlier. Anyway, here I am now.
I wrote last week that I would have a new pattern for you this week and, tada, I do. This is a really basic garter stitch scarf pattern that is ideal for a beginner, a quick knit for a more experienced knitter, and a fabulous way to use up part skeins that are in that box in your stash to be used for something, you know the one. A pretty scarf is also a perfect last minute gift to make, you can make this scarf in an evening.
The scarf is built in sections of different colours, textures and/or weights of yarn held with a base yarn that remains the same throughout.
I start by choosing a base worsted weight yarn. This yarn will be used to knit the whole scarf so you will need a fair bit of this one depending on how long you want your scarf to be. You will need from 225m to 360m or 250yds to 400yds for your base yarn. I used Bernat Premium acrylic yarn but you can use anything that you have on hand.
Here is the base that I chose along with some potential contrasts. I didn’t use all of these but added in others.
Next, dig through that box or tote or bag where you save the part skeins that are too pretty to toss and find anywhere from six to twelve contrasting or matching colours to pair with your base yarn. I used some bits in two places as they were long enough. These yarns can be anything from lace (used double so twice the length) to light worsted. You will need these yarns to be 36m or 40yds each or double that to use twice in the scarf.
The needles that I used are 12mm or US 17 needles. These produced a nice thick and squishy scarf with enough drape to wrap nicely.
With your base yarn and one of the selected smaller skeins held together, cast on twenty stitches. Knit twenty-six rows. Cut the contrast yarn and, holding another contrast yarn with the base yarn (you haven’t cut the base yarn and won’t throughout the scarf) knit another twenty-six rows. Continue knitting twenty-six row sections in different contrasting yarns held with the base yarn until you have at least eight sections. Twelve sections will make a long, wrap around scarf if that is the type you want. You can make as many sections as you like but I find that eight is probably the minimum that you need to make a decent scarf.
Cast off at the end of the last section, weave in your ends and lightly block your scarf. Add a fringe if you want to finish off the ends if you like that look.
The above scarf was made with a bunch of boucle pieces that I held with a basic black acrylic yarn. It is only fifteen stitches wide as I was experimenting with this pattern.
You can use your great imagination to really make this a unique accessory. If you like to experiment, use larger needles to make a looser knit or to use up chunky or bulky yarn. You will have to be careful of your yarn length to make the twenty-six rows. You can vary that too. Make your sections all different numbers of rows for a different look and a great way to use up all of the extra bits.
Have fun with this and let me know how your unique creations turned out. I always welcome feedback and love to see photos.
