Nikola Tesla liked his processes reversible, and so do I. This scarf is as light and effortless as a summer breeze, works up in a jiffy and completely lacking in a wrong side. It starts from a beaded cast on and pleated edge, and ends with a diagonal ruffle. It’s truly a girl’s best friend, so if you make one for yourself, be sure to whip up a second one for your bff as well.
Photos by Cristi Brockway and J.P. Thompson
Modeled by Cristi Brockway
Sizes
Unblocked: width 6”, length at longest point 60 ”
Blocked: width 9.5”, length at longest point 55”
Yarn
Handmaiden Sea Silk (70% silk, 30% seacell; 437 yards [400 meters]/100 grams); color: Baadeck Pinks (lighter shade), 1 skein
Note on color: My favorite local yarn store enjoys a special relationship with Fleece Artist that includes production of exclusive colorways, the two shades of Baadeck Pinks among them. Any shade of Sea Silk would certainly make this pattern sing, but if your heart is set on pink, contact Pat at Baadeck Yarns, who will happily ship worldwide.
Needles
US#6 (4 mm): straight, or any length circular (for working back and forth), 2 double-pointed needles for working pleats
Gauge
18 sts and 32 rows = 4” in patt after blocking.
Notions
123 Pony Beads (size 6/0, also called “E” beads)
Tapestry needle
Blocking wires (optional)
Pattern Notes
When working the beaded long-tail CO, the first st is cast on as normal. For each subsequent st, a bead is pushed up to the working needle, where the next st “locks” it into place. There will always be one fewer beads than there are sts on the needle.
Left-opening pleat: Slip next 5 sts onto dpn#1, slip next 5 sts onto dpn#2. Turn dpn#2 clockwise (as viewed from the top) a half turn. Right sides of work on left hand needle and dpn #2 are facing, and wrong sides of work of dpns #1 and #2 are facing. [Knit together one stitch from dpn #1, one stitch from dpn #2, and one stitch from left hand needle] five times. 15 sts decreased to 5 sts, pleat formed.
Pattern
Thread beads onto yarn and knot it to keep beads from slipping off. Leave enough free yarn for a long tail CO. Beads remain on the long tail. CO first st as normal, then [push a bead up from the long tail to edge, CO 1 st] 123 times; 124 sts.
K 16 rows.
Pleat row: k2, (work left-opening pleat) 8 times, k2; 44 sts rem.
K 1 row.
Rows 1 and 2: Sl1 wyif, *k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1, p7; rep from * until 1 st rem, k1.
Rows 3 and 4: Sl1 wyif, *k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, p7; rep from * until 1 st rem, k1.
Work until piece measures approximately 52”, ending with Row 4.
Shaping
Row 5: Work in patt as set until 1 st rem, w&t.
Row 6: Work in patt as set to end of row.
Row 7: Work in patt until 1 st before wrapped st, w&t.
Row 8: Work in patt as set to end of row.
Rep Rows 7 and 8 until 42 sts are wrapped.
Row 9: Kfb twice, *k next st, then k its wrap separately; rep to end of row; 88 sts. Turn work.
Row 10: K
Row 11: *K1, yo, k1; rep from * to end of row; 132 sts.
K 15 rows
Next row: *K1, yo, k1, yo, k1; rep to end of row; 220 sts
K 1 row. BO loosely.
About the Designer: Deb Barnhill
About the Designer: Deb BarnhillDeb Barnhill is a wife, mother and pharmacist in Nova Scotia, where she neglects housekeeping duties in favor of knitting, designing and blogging at knittingpharm.com. She has contributed to Knitty.com, Alpacas Magazine and the Interweave Press book Knitting Socks with Handpainted Yarns, written by Carol Sulcoski. Deb would like to gratefully acknowledge J.P. Thompson for photography, and Cristi Brockway for photography, modeling and naming of this project.
Pattern and images © 2009 Deb Barnhill. Contact Deb.
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