I knit this self-fringing scarf yesterday. It is a quick knit, about 3 to 4 hours in total. My mother gave me the pattern (she loves these scarves and is on her sixth I think). I thought it would be a nice parting gift for my housekeeper M whose last day with us was today.
It really can be worn as a scarf or a shawl. I learned quickly that you need big needles (US 13 or 15) and very thin yarn to get the right look. I made three attempts, as Mama J knows too well, and finally mastered it on the fourth attempt. I am glad I was persistent because I was happy with how it came out and our housekeeper M loved it.
It was so hard to say goodbye to our housekeeper M today. She has been taking care of our home for over seven years through our various moves and major life events (our wedding and Miss L's birth and first year). She brought me a gorgeous bouquet of heather and lilies today along with heartfelt cards and a teddy bear for Miss L. I think Miss L sensed something was happening because she followed our housekeeper M around the entire morning holding her new teddy bear tightly in her arms.
What I find really touching is how a bond can grow so deeply between two people even if they don't speak the same language. Our housekeeper M only understands a few words in English, yet we find a way to talk with one another and share stories, and often photos.
It's a good thing I don't wear makeup or my face would have mascara running down it right now.
What a thoughtful gift! It's testament to the strong bond you share.
ReplyDeleteI love your scarf and own one like it.
ReplyDeleteDo you have any idea where I might find a copy of that pattern? I'm having no luck online and would love to try to make one for myself. If you can help, I'd be very grateful.
Hi Lillian, thank you for your comment! The pattern came from a class my mother took. I've included it below:
ReplyDeleteRow 1 - Cast on 5 sts
Row 2 - K4, PM, P1
Row 3 - KTFB, SM, K4
Row 4 - K4, SM, P2
Row 5 - K1, KTFB, SM, K4
Row 6 - K4, P3
Row 7 - K2, KTFB, SM, K4
Row 8 - K4, P4
Row 9 - K3, KTFB, SM, K4
Row 10 - K4, SM, P5
Now you have more stitches on the shawl side (5 sts) than the fringe (4 sts). Continue to increase in this way - KTFB in the stitch to the right next to the marker until you are half way through your yarn or are at the point where your shawl is as long at the point in the center that you are ready to decrease down to the other side.
You can also make the arms of the shawl longer by knitting without increasing at certain points in the shawl such as knitting for 2 or 3 inches without increasing once you have 6 sts on the shawl. Then do that again once you have 8 sts,then 10 sts. This will lengthen the shwal and make for a longer scarf in the front to tie with or wrap around your neck. You will do the same method on the decrease side. You can take notes so both sides are exactly even or just guess and it will work out fine. They don't have to be perfectly even.
Decrease - K2tog on the 2 sts next to the marker in the same way you increased K2tog on the right side or knit side of the shawl). If you lenthened the arms decrease every 2 or 3 inches as well.
Continue to decrease until there is 1 stitch on the shawl side and 4 sts on the fringe side.
Cut an 8' tail, pull it through the last stitch and slip the remaining stitches off the needle.
Unravel the 4 fringe stitches one at a time, tying each one in a loose knot to later be cinched tight.
When all fringe stitches are knotted cut an 8" tail and tie that into a fringe size loop, tie it real tight, and then cut off the remaining yarn. There is no end to weave in. Go back and cinch all knots tight and tie the first long tail into a fringe size loop, tie it tight and cut off remaining yarn.
Mama H- how incredibly generous of you to take the time to post the pattern for me- thank you so much! I will enjoy making this scarf.
ReplyDelete