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| The Universal Scarf by Vicki Square. See the free pattern below! |
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Sometimes you read a little something that really sticks with you. I
read an essay by Vicki Square in the spring 2010 issue of
Interweave Knits,
about Vicki's introduction to natural fibers.
I think about that article all the time; since it's stuck with me all these
months, I thought I'd share it with you so you could store it in your brain,
too!
Inspired by Natural Fibers
by Vicki Square
When I was in elementary school, I lived a few blocks from a lovely dress shop that
I would visit with my mother. In the hushed ambiance of this thickly carpeted
little shop, I found a peaceful slice of heaven. The elegant shop owner must
have been a knitter of some accomplishment, because stacked against the back
wall on a counter the width of the room were boxes of yarn. The clear
cellophane windows on the end of each box let me see the yarn inside that I
desperately wanted to touch. This woman must have recognized a budding kindred
spirit in me, and I did in fact get to push my clean little hands into the
wool, mohair, angora, and cashmere.
My initial experiences as a knitter were
strong and positive, having begun on a foundation of working with natural fibers.
I suspect that is a significant reason for my continued obsession today.
I've never met a natural fiber I didn't like. Wool is king in the
manipulation category. Knit it, felt it, mold it into anything your imagination
conjures. The types of sheep, the quality of wool fleece, the spin, the weight,
the rich colors, all contrive to offer endless opportunities in creativity.
Linen's longevity appeals to my historical self, while the fluid drape and
natural luster of this bast fiber appeals to my artistic side.
Silk has been mastered for thousands of years on the Asian continent in
production, processing, and in artistic presentation, from the tactile texture
of raw silk to the luminescent surface of finely woven brocades.
Volumes are written about the origin and the uses of natural fibers. A knitter's
reality condenses it all into how it feels in her hands. Exquisite fibers
translate into stunning results. That's really the bottom line.
Try my "scientific" experiment. My scarf design (below) is the constant, and
your choices of natural fibers to work with are the variables. Choose alpaca,
choose silk, choose bamboo—I used a bulky wool and size 15 needles for one
sample, and a much finer silk ribbon for the second. Follow the scarf instructions
as printed, with no changes in stitch count, and you will net scarves of varying
widths and lengths appropriate to different uses. Use one or two skeins for
each scarf, and the needle size recommended on the label. There is no right or
wrong, just a delightful experience with each yarn.
Natural fibers feel good in your hands, naturally!
UNIVERSAL SCARF
With
yarn and needles of your choosing, CO 18 sts.
Note: Edge sts are worked
in garter st throughout.
Rows
1 and 3: K2, [k2, p1] 4 times, k4.
Row
2: K2,
p2 [k1, p2] 4 times,k2.
Row
4: Knit.
Rep Rows 1-4 until scarf measures desired length, leaving enough yarn to BO and
ending with a Row 2. BO all sts loosely in patt.
FINISHING
Weave in ends.
This stitch pattern is non-curling, so blocking is unnecessary. However, you
may wish to spritz with water, or lightly steam, to set stitches and ends.
I hope you'll try Vicki's experiment. I tried it last year, with about 300 yards of a light worsted 100% alpaca, and I loved the result. I used size 7 needles and my scarf was about 4 inches wide. I gave it to my brother for his birthday and he loved it! That's part of the "universality" of this pattern: it works for men, women, kids, and any yarn you want to use!
For more interesting and exciting articles, patterns, and how to knit ideas, get yourself the 2010 Interweave Knits
CD Collection set today!
Cheers,
