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California Yarn Company |
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Believe it or not, the elegant pattern in the image above is based on an extremely easy combination of stitches. Perfect for beginners, this stitch -- called "Feather and Fan" -- will familiarize you with the basic lace stitches, produce gorgeous effects, and knit up quickly and easily. For these reasons alone, Feather and Fan remains my absolute favorite stitch. Feather and Fan looks particularly dramatic with finer, lace-weight yarns, but you can use a heavier yarn (such as DK) without losing too much of the intended effect. You achieve the wavy, puckered effect by grouping all your decreases together, followed by a series of increases. Instructions Choose a yarn that will wear comfortably against your bare neck. A few good beginner choices are Jo Sharp Silkroad DK or Silkroad Aran. For this exercise, stick with a smooth-textured yarn whose gauge is no fewer than 4 to 4.5 stitches to the inch. The thicker or more textured the yarn, the less drape and stitch definition you'll have. The finer the yarn, the more fluid your fabric and visible your overall stitch pattern will be. For an 8" by 40" scarf, you'll need anywhere between 270 and 550 yards of yarn. The finer your yarn, the more you'll need (and vice-versa). Using the yarn's recommended needle size, cast on a number of stitches divisible by 18, plus 4 additional stitches for edging (the first and last two stitches of the row). Work the following bottom border combination for approximately 1 inch (or more, depending on your personal taste): All rows: Slip first st., then knit to end of row. Now you're ready to begin the lace pattern, which is as follows. Row 1: Slip first st., K to end. Row 2: Slip first st., K1, purl to last 2 sts, K2. Row 3: Slip first st., K1, *(K2Tog) 3 times, (YO,K1) 6 times, (K2Tog) 3 times, *to last 2 sts, K2. Row 4: Slip first st., K to end. Continue these four rows until you've reached your desired scarf length or run out of yarn, whichever comes first. Note: The knit stitches on row 4 (a wrong-side row) produce a garter stitch-like effect. If you'd rather have a totally smooth surface for your pattern, you can opt to purl that row (as shown in the picture at right). If you do so, prepare for extra blocking to reduce the amount of horizontal curl in your finished scarf.	alternate Feather and Fan pattern knit in Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Remember to save enough yarn to work your top border, which will be the exact same combination as your bottom border. When you're ready, simply bind off all your stitches and weave in your loose ends. To enjoy your scarf fully, you need to wash and block it. This will flatten and stretch the surface so that the stitch pattern is more visible and the scarf more fluid. Place the scarf in a sink with warm water and a small amount of soap. Squeeze it in the water until the scarf is fully saturated, then let it sit for 30 minutes. Remove it from the water, squeeze gently to remove excess moisture, then rinse with water of the same temperature. Squeeze out excess moisture, lay the scarf out on a towel (folding it over if necessary) and roll it up to remove water. If you don't have an official blocking board, simply place your moist scarf on an old towel or blanket, stretch it lengthwise and widthwise to open up the pattern, and pin the edges down so that the scarf dries in shape. When the scarf is fully dry, remove the pins and prepare to show off your new creation! arrow |
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California Yarn Company |