DIY Q&A: Mesh Scarf

Dear Andrea,

I am an avid reader of your blog and love all of the DIY info and projects you share! Thank You!

I am a very basic knitter, having not experimented past scarves or hats, but really love the look of big knits. I have included a picture I have found online, of a knitted halter top. I really like the look of the large holes, and want to incorporate it into a big basic scarf. I was assuming that this was a stockinette stitch, using big needles? Is this correct? If it is a stockinette stitch, why are the sides not rolling? I just tried to make a scarf with that particular stitch, but alas, it has curled up into a tube! Are big needles necessary? Any thoughts or suggestions?

Any help would be much appreciated! And once again, thank you dearly for your wonderful blog!

-scarfless knitter



Dear scarfless knitter,

While working in Stockinette with larger needles will give a mesh like appearance, it will indeed curl up no matter what needle size is used. I do believe I have a pattern that is exactly what you are looking for. The pattern is published by Blue Sky Alpacas, but it is no longer available on their site. I was able to find a copy posted here. It uses a basic lace stitch. If you want larger or smaller holes for your scarf, just experiment with needle size until you get what you want. I also want to note that I have made this scarf several times over, and I prefer to cast on 23 sts instead of 22, and instead k1, *s1pwise, yo, k2tog, rep from * to last stitch, k1 for both rows. You ca also make the scarf wider or narrower by increasing or decreasing the stitch count by multiples of 3.

Happy Knitting!

Andrea

Update: See my Cocoon Loop Scarf knitting pattern which I think is really close to the stitch pattern you're looking for. See here for more details.

Backlund is back

(The latest from Sanada Backlund, via)

I am a great admirer of Sandra Backlund's work. She is unlike any other knitwear designer out there, she is more of an artist. Her work is unlike the type of knit work I prefer to do, but she is endlessly fascinating!

Errata for Hats Mittens & Scarves

Something I neglected to describe for patterns Irina Mesh Scarf and Impressionist Beret from my book, Hats, Mittens & Scarves:

Note: When working knit stitches, insert right needle as if to knit, but wrap yarn over and under right needle. For yo, wrap yarn over and under, instead of brining yarn to front.

This method is a bit strange, but it is was makes the pattern the way it is. I didn't quite realise that at the time.

DIY Q&A: Shaggy Knits

Dear Andrea,

I am desperate beginning knitter in need of "yetti coat". But i cannot for the life of me find any instructions for how to knit shag? Back in 2005 your blog posted this post, where you describe making a yetti type shag rug. Are their any references for where you learned this method of construction ? What is the method?

DESPERATE KNITTER


Dear Desperate Knitter,

I hope knitting is nothing to get too desperate about! It should always been enjoyed, and some times challenging.

Actually, creating shag is only one part knit, the other part involves a bit of what rug hooking must be like. The trick is you must create a stable knit base out of a chunky yarn using a seed stitch pattern. You would then cut strips of "thick and thin" yarn. Selecting an appropriated yarn is most important for this type of project, you want something that has a consistent thick and thin pattern through out the yarn, and you want the thick part to be fairly puffy. Otherwise if you use regular bulky yarn, you need to shape the ends. I used Louet "Bouffant", but I think it's been discontinued. Cut the yarn in the middle of every other thin part so that the middle part of the strand is thin. Then using a crochet hook, fold the yarn strand in half and pull the "loop" through the purl stitches of the knitted base, pull the ends through the formed loop. Continue to do this until the knit based is completely covered.

Using this method, you could create things like home furnishings like rugs or throws, shaggy handbags like the Fendi one, or a yetti fur coats like Balenciaga.

Good luck and happy knitting!

Andrea

Aspen Neck Cowl

(Aspen Neck Cowl, originally published in Spun)

Materials
3 skeins of Fable Handknit Pure Baby Alpaca [100% baby alpaca, 132m per 50g skein], #06.
4mm/16" circular needles
Tapestry needle
Stitch marker

Size
Women's, one size

Gauge
22sts and 30 rows= 4"/10 cm in stocking stitch

Directions
Using long tail cast on method, co 130 sts and join in the round, taking care not to twist sts. Place marker at join.

P 10 rounds
K 2 rounds

*P 8 rnds, K 2 rounds; rep from * 12 times

P 10 rounds, cast off

Weave in ends