Thursday, March 3, 2016

A Handknit For Wearing


Pattern:  Madison Scarf (from Hill Country Weavers)
Yarn:  Madelinetosh Dandelion in Silver Fox colorway
Needles:  Size 7

This scarf is either a very late Christmas gift or an early birthday gift. Either way, I'm happy it's done in time for Jessica to wear it a few times in these last cool days of March. This particular scarf was on her Christmas wish list. But I just couldn't get to it in time to put under the tree. It was, however, a perfect pattern for after-holiday knitting. It's a simple pattern that just goes on and on. These patterns are often referred to as "mindless knitting."


I wanted to use all of the yarn I had, so I used a postal scale to help me. I weighed the yarn at the beginning of a pattern repeat, then again at the end of the repeat to see that each 6-row repeat took 5 grams of yarn. So when I had 7 grams of yarn left, I decided it was time to bind off. I wasn't in the mood to play "yarn chicken" and try to eek out one more repeat. When I pinned out the scarf, it measured 88 inches, tip to tip. Plenty long enough.

I'm not sure how you knitters choose patterns, but I find myself drawn to patterns that are fun or challenging to knit and to yarn colors that are brilliant and rich. But sometimes those don't really work with my wardrobe. I am learning to consider patterns for how wearable they will be. This pattern is so simple. I've made one for myself in brown and this one for Jessica in gray. There is nothing terribly exciting about the pattern or the colors. (Yes. I find red or purple yarn more fun to knit.) BUT this is a scarf that will be worn often. Isn't that the point of knitting?

Why is it easy to wear? It is a bias scarf, which eliminates those blunt, squared-off ends. It is extra long, which lets the wearer generously loop it a couple of times around the neck. And it is wide enough (13 inches) to wear it as a wrap around the shoulders.


This pattern is free. It's simple enough for newer knitters. (If you are a real beginner, you can find how-to videos on YouTube for the k2tog, YO, and kfb if you haven't done those yet. It may look like Greek but those easy techniques.) It's a pleasant knit for the experienced knitter. Keep it in mind as you look for your next knitting project. I'm betting I'll make another one (or two) of these.





14 comments:

  1. That's beautiful! And such a lovely color. The length is generous and you didn't have to worry about trying and/or ripping another repeat. Another positive attribute of a bias scarf is how it drapes more softly as it curves around the neck. Very nice gift!

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    1. I would have never thought that a postal scale would become one of my favorite knitting tools. Love this pattern.

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  2. Replies
    1. Thanks, Jo(e). I have loved my brown one. Pretty sure my daughter will get lots of wear from this one.

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  3. I just love that pattern and the gray color. I'm drawn to shades of gray and beige for accessories. (I wear a lot of black.)

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    1. I love this pattern, too. So simple. So wearable in basic colors.

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    1. Thanks, Janie. I was very happy with it, too.

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  5. Love this scarf! This is Beth Miller (you and I went with Joanne one time to a yarn shop...). I found the pattern, but What kind of yarn should I get for this?

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    1. Hi, Beth! I remember that trip. The pattern actually calls for a lace weight yarn. I have one I started with a lace weight but decided it was going to take me a year to finish it! For this scarf (and my own Madison) I used a fingering yarn in wool/linen and used a larger needle that the pattern said. Part of what makes it work is the nice drape of the finished scarf. Probably a combination of that fiber blend and the needle size.

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  6. Did you reverse the knit and purl rows? I am not sure I am excited about that many P2tog.

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    1. The P2tog is on every 6th row, so it isn't that much. It's not hard either. This has been one of my favorite things to make. And wear.

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