I thought I would share one of the knitting patterns that I have made up recently. It uses a drop-stitch technique that you can learn on YouTube. Just search it and a few good tutorials will come up. This scarf is more like wearing an animal than a garment and it is one of the coziest things ever. If you can't find knitting needles this size then broom sticks will also suffice, although they can be hard on the wrists and a bit more awkward.
Also, it can be really difficult to find spun sliver/roving so if you just have un-spun fibre then just add your own twist to it by hand as you knit it. You can find sliver and roving from fibre craft shops or on-line from websites that supply spinning fibre. I also wouldn't be too concerned if you don't have a long continuous piece, as lots of ends poking out can actually make this scarf more interesting. I also apologise that I don't know the meter-age for this scarf as it was never listed on the wool spun sliver that I bought from The Wool Company . I just know that I used about 800-900gms.
Please feel free to comment and ask questions, as this is the first pattern I have ever shared so it may be confusing or could be missing some crucial info.
What you will need:
- size 20mm (US 35) knitting needles (or bigger if that is all you have)
- 800-1000gms (1 lbs 12oz - 2 lbs 3oz) of spun wool sliver or roving
- Large crochet hook for adding tassels & weaving in any unwanted lengths
To make it:
Cast on 18 stitches using whatever technique you know. I use the long-tail cast-on method which you can also look up on YouTube. If using long-tail cast on method, knit 2 more rows in garter stitch. If using another cast-on method then knit 3 more rows in garter stitch.
Pattern:
Row 1: *K1, YO twice*, repeat between * until just before the last stitch, K1
Row 2: *K1, drop the 2 YO*, repeat between * until just before the last stitch, K1
Rows 3 & 4: Knit in garter stitch
Repeat these four rows until desired length and then cast off all stitches. I did 32 repeats of the pattern. If wanting to add tassels, cut lengths of wool fibre twice as long as desired length. Add tassels by folding lengths of wool in half. Insert crochet hook into first stitch on the end of the scarf, grab the looped end of the folded tassel with the crochet hook and pull through stitch to form a small loop. Put the other end of the tassel (with the cuts ends) through the loop and pull all the way through gently to secure. Repeat with remaining tassels on each end of the scarf. You can add as many or as few as you like and you can also stagger the lengths to make it more rustic looking. You can also omit the tassels and instead stitch the two ends of the scarf together into a cowl.
Again, please let me know if this is confusing or if you need a few pointers on anything, including where to get fibre from. I hope you enjoy it!
probably not so good as a first ever knitting project ay?
Posted by: Lisa | 07/01/2012 at 03:25 AM