close knit: the neighborhood yarn shop


Saturday, May 22, 2010

Firefly Bias Scarf

Last month, I wrote about some of the linen yarns that we carry at the shop. When we received the Classic Elite Firefly, I was struck by the beautiful colors and the interesting texture of the yarn. I took home a few balls of the steely gray to play with and a sweet little stockinette bias-knit scarf was born.

Knitting on the bias is basically knitting diagonally. You cast on a few stitches, increase up to the width you like, and then work your way up the scarf. This gives the piece a really nice drape and keeps the edges from curling up too much. My scarf is wide enough to pull around your shoulders as a shawl, but the fabric is squishy enough to tuck into a jacket or sweater.

My finished product is at Close Knit for all to see, and the free pattern is available at the shop, too. It requires just three balls of Firefly, which we have in some lovely natural tones, as well as a great bright pink. Come by to see the scarf and enjoy the free pattern!


Firefly Scarf

Materials:

3 balls Classic Elite Firefly (25% linen/75% rayon, 155 yds/50 g), colorway Brittania #7777

US 7 needles

Finished size: approx. 9 x 70 inches

Gauge: 5 stitches/inch in stockinette

Abbreviations:

CO: cast on

M1: bar increase

SSK: slip 2 stitches knitwise, knit the 2 slipped sts together

K2tog: knit 2 stitches together


Pattern:

With size US7 needles, CO 3 stitches.

Increase section:

Row 1 (RS): K1, M1, knit to last stitch, M1, K1

Row 2 (WS): Purl across row

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have 65 stitches.


Straight section (each row has 65 sts):

Row 3 (RS): K1, M1, knit until 2 stitches remain, SSK

Row 4 (WS): Purl across row

Repeat rows 3 and 4 until the piece measures 56” along the longest edge.

Decrease section:

Row 5 (RS): K2tog, knit until 2 stitches remain, SSK

Row 6 (WS): Purl across row

Repeat row 5 and 6 until 3 stitches remain.


K3tog, pull yarn through last stitch. Weave in any ends. Press the scarf with a hot iron, using the steam setting. This will even out your stitches and give the scarf a nice sheen and drape. Enjoy!

12 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for the pattern - it looks like a lot of fun! Our LYS just closed (sniff) and now I'll have to go on the search for yarn again, but I DO appreciate your generousity by posting this wonderful little knit!

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  2. Just lovely, Elizabeth! Is this the same yarn as for the smocked pullover? I hope so, the drape is gorgeous!

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  3. Yes, it IS the same yarn. And, Leah is the creator of this lovely scarf. It is a wonderful yarn and it knits up beautifully, too!

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  4. ... what's the t-shirt the model is wearing with the bias shawl ... ;) ... happy days ... ina and gumby ... the dog that tante sophie has ... www.tantesophie.com

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  5. The t-shirt is Flow from Berroco: Norah Gaughan Vol 2, knit with Seduce. It's a great top!
    Leah

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  6. I increased at the beginning of each row instead of two on each side of the knit row. How should I amend the straight and decrease sections? HUGE THANKS!

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  7. I'm only about an inch into the pattern, but it seems terribly puckered thru the body...I even went and double checked online that I was doing my M1s and SSKs correctly, and I am. Will this ease itself out once I get further along?

    Regards,
    Nancy
    NanskiLtd@aol.com

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  8. what is the best length for the circle needle
    thank you

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  9. I made this on the knitting machine. Beautiful drape and sheen. My friend is going to love it.

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  10. This pattern is just fabulous! I'm on my third one using handspun hand dyed pure wool DK yarn, made here in Scotland.
    I love you website and your blog and all your freebies too. I wish I lived close by as I'd be a frequent visitor! Thank you.

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  11. Confused about first row after casting on initial 3 stitches. I knit first stitch then M1 the second stitch. This leaves only one stitch left. If I M1 this last stitch then I don't have another stitch to knit but I end up with an odd number of stitches in each row.
    If I knit this last one I can't M1 per instructions and have an even number of stitches in each row. Please advise.

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  12. Never mind last comment. I figured out what I was doing wrong. Not making M1 correctly.

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