CINNABAR SCARF
The rich texture and color of this scarf remind me of the carved cinnabar vases and jewelry which have been popular for centuries in China (for a brief history, visit http://www.go-star.com/antiquing/lacquerware.htm). Work Cinnabar in a luxurious silk/wool, as I did, and it will be suitable for the most hard-to-please recipient on your holiday gift list. I chose the two stitch patterns used, “Seafoam" (an old favorite) and a modification of the rarely used “Double Ribbed Mock Cable" (DRMC) from Barbara Walker's Fourth Treasury of Knitting Patterns, partly for their luscious textures and undulating waves, and partly because they are based on the simple garter stitch, and thus are reversible (or very nearly so)— always a plus in a scarf.
SKIlL LEVEL Intermediate
MaTeRIaLS
Sundara Yarns hand-dyed DK Silky Merino (50% silk/50% merino wool; 250 yds/229 m per 100 gm skein); #012; 2 skeins for 5-6 ft long scarf. 1 pair US #5 / 3.75 mm straight needles Tapestry needle
YARN SUBSTITUTES
The above yarn is available online only at http://www. sundarayarn.typepad.com; for substitutions try Blue Sky Alpaca & Silk"; Anny Blatt “Kanpur" (100% silk); Knit Picks “Elegance” (alpaca & silk).
SIZES
One size fits most
GAUGE
23 sts/40 rows to 4 inches in DRMC patt stitch; 22 sts/30 rows to 4 inches in st st. Stitch instructions
PATTERN NOTES
See charts; follow both charts as well as written instructions. The repeated portion of the “Seafoam" chart is outlined in dark blue. When following the "Seafoam" chart, take care not to accidentally knit the dropped yarnovers. Note that right-side rows are odd-numbered on the Seafoam chart, but even-numbered on the DRMC chart.
InSTrUCTIOnS
Cast on 36 sts. Border: Est “Seafoam" patt as follows: Row 1 (RS): Reading “Seafoam" chart from right to left, work sts 1- 16 of Chart row 1, then rep sts 7-16 twice more. Row 2 (WS): Reading chart from left to right, work sts 16-7 of Chart row 2 three times, then work sts 6-1. Cont to work patt as est, using chart rows 3-8. Rep rows 1-8 once more, then rep rows 1-4, ending on WS. K 3 rows, ending on a RS row. Main: \*Work rows 1-16 of "DRMC" chart 3 times, then rep row 1 (WS). K 2 rows. Following directions for est “Seafoam" patt for border, work rows 1-8 of "Seafoam" chart\*\*, then rep rows 1-4. K 3 rows, ending on a RS row. One section of main part of scarf has now been completed: note that one section is approx 8 inches long, and you will want to end the scarf with a completed section plus border, which will add a little less than an inch. Rep fr \* until scarf is approx 8-9 inches less than desired length, then work one more rep, working from \* to \*\* ONLY. Border: Rep rows 1-8 of "Seafoam" chart, then rows 1- 4. K 2 more rows, binding off loosely in patt on 2nd row.
CINNABAR SCARF CHARTS
"Seafoam'
Note that RS rows (odd-numbered for “Seafoam" chart, even-numbered for “DRMC" chart) are worked from right to left, and WS rows from left to right. "Double Ribbed Mock Cable' @ANGELA HAHN 2OO8-2O10 ALL RIGHTS RESERVEDKNITITUDE@GMAIL.COM WWW.KNITITUDE.COM
