Designed by: Maureen Mason-Jamieson, 108 Brooklyn Ave., Toronto, ON, Canada, M4M 2X5, (416) 466-0401,
maureen@kinverknits.com. Copyright 2003. Visit my website at:
www.kinverknits.com!
This scarf was designed on a whim (hence the name!) using yarn I bought in New Orleans. (See Whimsical Scarf 1 -- one can never buy too much yarn!) It's fast, easy to knit, and an elegant accent when nonchalantly flung over your shoulder. Level: Beginner.
Materials: Trendsetter Yarns "Flora", 76% viscose, 24% polyamide, 20 grams, 64 m, Color 504, made in Italy - 2 balls. Similar lace or fingering weight fancy yarns may be substituted. Needles - 5.5 mm (US 9); crochet hook, size 5.5 mm (US 9/I).
Size: 52" long x 4" wide, including fringe.
Gauge: 20 sts, 23 rows = 4" (10 cm). Gauge is not too important for this scarf -- overall size may be slightly larger or smaller. The thing to remember is to knit the yarn with a larger needle than you would usually use for the weight of yarn you are using. This creates a scarf that drapes nicely. To accurately judge whether you are using the correct size needle for your chosen yarn, knit a swatch at least 5" square. If knitting appears too loose, try decreasing the size of needle one or two sizes; if knitting appears too tight and doesn't drape well, try increasing the size of needle.
Before beginning to knit your scarf, cut 42 lengths of yarn 10" long for fringe. Set aside.
Loosely cast on 21 stitches. Knit all rows until 1 yard of yarn remains. Bind off all stitches loosely -- use a larger needle to bind off if necessary. Weave in any stray yarn ends.
For fringe, fold three 10" lengths of yarn in half. Mark 7 places across one short end of scarf (two corners, plus 5 places in between). *Insert crochet hook in scarf from back to front at first marker. Put loop of folded yarn over hook and pull through the scarf for 1". Draw the yarn ends through the loop and tug gently to tighten. Repeat from * at the remaining six markers. Trim fringe ends to even lengths.
Using remaining 21 lengths of cut yarn, make fringe at other short end of scarf following above instructions. Since the scarf is garter stitch based, it won't need much blocking. Stretch it out on a towel and mist lightly. When it's completely dry, fling it about your neck in a bon vivant fashion and enjoy!
