First Day of Spring Scarf by Anna Smegal, with special guest designer - her sister!
The vernal equinox, or first day of spring in March, always seems like a tease for us in the northern part of the United States. Past March temperatures have ranged from below 0 °F (-18 °C) to over 60 °F (15.5 ° C)--that's a heat wave! This knit scarf is made with worsted or bulky yarn, which provides warmth for those chilly "spring” days, yet the reversible, open lace design is perfect for those unexpected heat waves. The pattern only has one row to memorize and doesn't include any purl stitches or abbreviations. The scarf's story: I have been knitting for over 10 years, and my sister first taught me all of the basics. I haven't returned the favor yet, so she is still on the “scarf level." Imagine my surprise when she told me she had knit a scarf from her own design! I wrote down the basic pattern, and worsted and bulky versions are the outcome. Aran weight yarn can be used in place of bulky weight yarn.
Finished Measurements
Worsted, 100g: 7" wide, 54" long (18 cm wide, 137 cm long) Bulky, 100g: 6.5" wide, 65" long (16.5 cm wide, 165 cm long)
Supplies
Note: Single ply yarn with slow color transitions is recommended to best showoff thestitchpattern. Worsted weight yarn, approximately 100g to 200g Scarf sample knit in Knit Picks Chroma Worsted (70% wool, 30% nylon; 198yd/181m per 100g/3.5 0z skein): color Mesa (discontinued), 1 skein US #11 (8 mm) straight needles Bulky (or Aran) weight yarn, approximately 100g to 200g Cowl sample knit in Aran weight di.Vé Teseo (53% wool, 47% microfiber; 98yd/90m per 50g/1.75 0Z skein): color 39360 Grape Leaves, 1 skein US #13 (9 mm) straight needles
Notions
tapestryneedle optional: scrap yarn or spare needle for stitch holder scrap yarn and crochethookforprovisionalcaston
Gauge
not necessary - aim for a loose, relaxed scarf!
First Day of Spring Scarf | @ 2014 Anna Smegal | All rights reserved I pg. 1 of 3 Pattern for personal use only; not for distribution or profit. Please contact Anna on Ravelry or at aersyarns@gmail.com with any questions.
Pattern Note
The scarf's reversible stitch pattern is based on a multiple of 6 stitches plus 2 edge stitches (1 stitch on each edge). It is easily customizable to different widths and yarn weights. For lighter yarns, increase the amount of stitches cast on and use a needle size larger than recommended by the manufacturer. For example, for a DK weight yarn, 32 stitches on US #9 (5.5 mm) needles may work well (6 x 5 = 30, + 2 edge stitches = 32).
Begin here!
Loosely cast on 26 stitches for worsted yarn or 20 stitches for bulky using the long-tail method. Rows 1 - 3: Knit. Row 4: \* Knit 4, knit 2 together, yarn over, repeat from \* to last two stitches, knit 2.
Repeat row 4 only until there are four yards of yarn left Last 3 rows: Knit. Bind off using a stretchy method, such as this: \* Knit two stitches together through the back loop, slip this stitch back on to left needle, repeat from \* to end. Weave in ends. If desired, block ends to have a matching scalloped edge. Enjoy your new scarf! (P.s. we'd love to see a photo of it!)
Modifications
For a scarf that has “matching" ends Cast on and follow rows 1 - 4. Repeat row 4 every row until half of your yarn has been used. Place stitches on scrap yarn or spare needle to hold. Cast on and repeat rows 1-3, and then row 4 only, for second half of scarf. when 24" of working yarn remains, graft the two scarf halves together using the Kitchener stitch. If you are super picky and want your stitches to match while grafting, search the Internet for “grafting in pattern” or “grafting in knit and purl stitches" for many great tutorials. (Or perhaps you should find a more challenging pattern!) Fora cowl-youmay only need50g Two choices: Knit a basic scarf by knitting one row, then repeating row 4 to desired length, knit one more row, and bind off. Then seam ends together. For an added twist (pun intended!), you can twist your scarf once or twice before seaming the ends together. OR, provisionally cast on your stitches, knit one row, then repeat row 4 to desired length, knit one more row, but do not bind off. Put provisional cast on
First Day of Spring Scarf | @ 2014 Anna Smegal | All rights reserved |I pg. 2 of 3 Pattern for personal use only; not for distribution or profit. Please contact Anna on Ravelry or at aersyarns@gmail.com with any questions. stitches on the empty needle and graft stitches from both needles together. As stated above, you can twist your scarf once or twice before grafting the ends together. Cowl sample used a provisional cast on and was twisted once before grafting.
About the Designers
Photography @ 2014 C. Smegal & T. Sorgert Sarah, Anna's sister, took one beginning to knit class over ten years ago, and the craft has inspired her ever since. Although she is still at the “scarf and hat level," that didn't hold her back from designing her own pattern! She wishes she had more time to knit, but she is in no shortage of knit goods made for her by Anna. Anna learned the basics of knitting about ten years ago from her sister and then taught herself everything else from books. She teaches knitting classes in her community, enters projects at fairs, and never finishes her Christmas presents on time. Find Anna's blog at www.aersknits.wordpress.com or on Ravelry under the username aersknits. Anna's the bad sheep in the family as she hasn't returned her sister's favor -- Sarah is still stuck at the scarfKnittinglevel..
To other designers: We would be flattered if you included this stitch pattern in your own design -- please credit backtous and/orourscarfpattern!
