Sailor Scarf Knitting Pattern by Nancy Cavender for From The Mountain - Historical Design with Flag Motif

FROM THEMOUNTAIN

Sailor Scarf

By Nancy Cavender for From The Mountain The basic design of this scarf was developed for sailors in the navy in the late 1800s. The ribbing along the back of the neck keeps the scarf in place and fits nicely under a collar. The flag motif on this scarf represents the key means for communication between boats, and from boats to land, before the time when radios were used. This scarf uses a modified flag stitch from Knitting from the Netherlands. Difficulty level: Beginner (provisional cast-on will be needed) Yarn: 1 skein (100g/185m) From The Mountain 100% Afghan Cashmere Handspun DK Needle: US #7 (or size needed to get the specified gauge) Unblocked Gauge in Flag Pattern: 21 sts/4'

Blocked Gauge: 20 sts/4", 21 rows/4" Dimensions: about 45" long

Directions

1. Knit the Neckline Ribbing Using a provisional cast on, cast on 27 stitches. Row 1: K4, P4, K4, P3, K4, P4, K4 (right side) Row 2: P4, K4, P4, K3, P4, K4, P4 Repeat these 2 rows to work in ribbing, for 10 inches. End after a wrong side row.

2. Knit the Decorative Tails

For the first tail: Continue knitting the stitches on your needle. Knit the“Flag Pattern with Garter Stitch Edging" (see back of card) until you have completed 14 8-row flag repeats (about 14 inches of flags, unblocked).

Knit every stitch for 6 rows (3 garter stitch ridges) to make the border. Bind off.

Flag Pattern with Garter Stitch Edging Row 1: K3, [K1, P6] across row, end K3. (right side) Row 2: K3, [K5, P2] across row, end K3. (wrong side) Row 3: K3, [K3, P4] across row, end K3. Row 4: K3, [K3, P4] across row, end K3. Row 5: K3, [K5, P2] across row, end K3. Row 6: K3, [K1, P6] across row, end K3. Row 7: K across row. Row 8: K3, Purl across row, K3 For the second tail: Pick up the 27 stitches from the provisional cast on. Set up the knitting so the right side is facing you. Beginning with a right side row, knit the “Flag Pattern with Garter Stitch Edging" the same number of times as the first tail. Knit every stitch for 6 rows (3 garter stitch ridges) to make the border. Bind off Blocking this fiber will soften it and get it to bloom. Wash the scarf in lukewarm water, using a good wool wash product. Submerge it and let it soak, without friction. Rinse, squeeze without twisting, and roll in a towel, to remove a lot of the water. Lay flat to dry.

Bibliography

Myrna A.1. Stahman, Stahman's Shawls and Scarves (Boise, ID: Rocking Chair Press, 2000) Henriette van der Klift-Tellegen, Knitting from the Netherlands Traditional Dutch Fishermen's Sweaters (Asheville,NC:LarkBooks,1985)