I wanted a cute little scarf to wear around my neck (for reasons that the subject should reveal (I'm going to be 40 in a week and had to make a scarf to wear to work today!)). I didn't like any of the patterns I had: too much like a bandana, and with my larger neck, it would end up being too wide (deep?) before it was long enough. So I set about "creating" my own little design.
I have some lessons learned, mostly based on my preferences* which will lead to version 2.
Version 1:
Matching my gauge isn't important. What is important is that you figure out which guauge you have and then use that in your calculations for determining width. The weave shouldn't be too open, but an incredibly tight weave isn't necessary either. I didn't swatch so much as just start knitting. A couple rows told me if the gauge was working or not.
I used
- Diakeito ribbon, which is medium width and knits up beautifully and soft...although I don't recommend it in 90-degree weather unless it's a necessity. ;-)
- Size US "8's
What I did:
cast on 3
k* until 1 st remains, inc1 (by knitting into the front & back of the last stitch
repeat from * for about 30 rows (20 or so is probably fine).
k 10 or so rows (sadly, I didn't count), until 2 stitches remain, increase each as described above
k remaining rows by increasing the last 3 stitches until you achieve the desired width.
bind off loosely
Since I crammed this onto a 9" straight needle, I used my guage to tell me when to quit knitting. First I figured out how long it needed to be (not too tight around the neck, tied in a knot). I just used my tape measure. Then I figured that many inches times my guage per inch (4.5), and that was the minimum number of stitches I needed before I could bind off. It fit perfectly.
guage per inch ____ x desired length_____ = min # stitches for last row
*lessons learned -- I've learned that I don't like the pointy corner of the scarf. It's cute, but on me it keeps rotating to the center of my neck and it looks like I'm trying to wear a dickey. So next time, I'll cast on about 20 and start from there, maybe increasing 2 per row from the outset.
Copyright & Legal Stuff
Copyright 2005 Melissa Shaw
http://crazycatladymel.livejournal.com
email: crazycatladymel AT livejournal DOT com
This pattern and any others shared on crazycatladymel's journal are provided free for personal use.
You may freely distribute the link to this pattern. Individuals may share unlimited print copies, as long as the copyright information is included. Stores may not distibute this pattern in any way without express written permission from the designer - again, sharing the link is permissible. Under no circumstances is this pattern or any items made from it to be sold for profit.
- Mood:
creative
Profile
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif?v=92.1)
crazycatladymel- Melissa
- My Shop
Other Stuff
Copyright
©2003-2008 Melissa Shaw
Tutorials & patterns shared on this blog are provided free for personal use. Individuals may share unlimited print copies, as long as the copyright information is included. Images, tutorials and patterns may not be duplicated in any format - e.g. electronic or print - without permission (feel free to link to the pages, but don't copy/paste). Have fun, but don't steal!
Stores may not distribute these instructions in any way without express written permission from the designer.
I contributed to these books:
• Cheaper than Therapy
• Offbeat Bride
• Knitalong
