SO 5 Free Knitting Patterns

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5 FREE Knitting Patterns: Knitting Scarf Patterns from Spin.Off

©F+W Media, Inc. ■ All rights reserved ■ F+W Media grants permission for any or all pages in this issue to be copied for personal use Spin.Off ■ spinningdaily.com ■ i e’ve pulled together five scarf knitting patterns from past issues ofSpin .Off that will show off your handspun yarn to best effect. The Morning Surf Scarf by WJackie Erickson-Schweitzer uses a yarn-over technique in undulating patterns and is perfect for handpainted top and roving with migrating color. Carol Rhoades’s Plush Pygora Scarf combines the best of a luxury fiber with luster and halo in a beautiful lace pattern. If you have lots of short lengths of handspun yarn left over from other projects, Charlene Anderson’s Spontaneous Knitting introduces a fun way to use them up. Adriana Schoenberg’s Undulating Scarf creates a warm, dense cloth that enhances the organic nature of handspun yarn. And once you try the Helix Scarf by Stephenie Gaustad, you won’t be able to stop with just one—you’ll be compelled to make more. One of the oldest of Interweave’s publications, Spin.Off is a quarterly magazine that has been around since 1977 inspiring spinners new and old to make beautiful yarn and find enchanting ways to use it. We also host the spinning community, spinningdaily.com complete with blogs, forums, and free patterns, Spin.Off Autumn Retreat (SOAR)—an intense and inspirational week with like-minded spinners, and our series of workshop videos where the living treasures of the spinning world share their knowledge with you. We’re devoted to bringing you the best spinning teachers, the newest spinning ideas, and most inspirational creativity right to your mailbox, computer, and ultimately fingertips. We hope you enjoy your spinning journey—come tell us about it at spinningdaily.com.

Happy spinning,

Amy Clarke Moore [email protected]

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Morning Surf Scarf by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer

©F+W Media, Inc. ■ All rights reserved ■ F+W Media grants permission for any or all pages in this issue to be copied for personal use Spin.Off ■ spinningdaily.com ■ 2 he Morning Surf Scarf is knitted turning from a morning walk along Note: I recommend using straight Tin a simple lace-type structure the beach with its hazy low sun upon needles. If you use a circular nee- that works up quickly because of the the waters and gentle swelling surf of dle, you may have difficulty in slid- dropped yarnovers. The undulating gray-green waves, I felt more confi- ing the multiple yarnovers from the design is particularly suitable for dent and inspired. I decided to pur- flexible connector back onto the showcasing variegated handspun yarn. chase the roving as a remembrance. needle area. The tale of how the Morning Surf Scarf As encouragement for those relative- came about goes back many years to ly new to handspinning, let me assure Abbreviations my beginning spinning days. you that the yarn I spun had character! yo 2 times—bring yarn between needles While attending the 1995 annu- To show off the nice diversity of tex- to front, wrap completely around al January Spin-In in Destin, Florida, tures in the rather inconsistent 2-ply needle once, bring over needle once a hank of Chasing Rainbows hand- yarn, albeit with those beautiful colors more for second yarnover (yo) and painted bombyx silk/Merino wool I had remembered from my walk on prepare to knit next st (there will be roving in variegated gray-green tones the beach, I composed a stitch and row 2 extra loops on the needle). kept beckoning to me at the market. sequence with undulating long floats yo 3 times—bring yarn between nee- Being fairly new to spinning, I did bordered by reverse stockinette rows to dles to front, wrap completely not deem my skills advanced enough capture the feeling of the gentle waves around needle twice, bring over nee- for this premium fiber. However, re- under a morning haze. dle once more for third yo and prepare

This is one versatile stitch pattern—check out these variations.

Chawne Kimber of Easton, Pennsylvania Debbie Bland of Metairie, Louisiana

Azhar Ibrahim of Brunswick, Maryland Michelle Majoros of Oakland, California Sherie McManaman of Amarillo, Texas

©F+W Media, Inc. ■ All rights reserved ■ F+W Media grants permission for any or all pages in this issue to be copied for personal use Spin.Off ■ spinningdaily.com ■ 3 This pattern easily adapts to any yarn type and scarf size. You can adjust the cast-on Project Notes stitch count up or down by increments of 10 for a wider or narrower scarf. Also, use whatever needle size gives you a drapey fabric without being sloppy. Here are some guidelines: Fiber: 3.5 oz Chasing Rainbows Wraps per inch (wpi) Suggested needle size (U.S.) Suggested number of stitches handpainted bombyx silk/Merino 16–18 2 or 3 76 blend. 13–15 5 or 6 66 Singles direction spun: Z. 10–12 8 or 9 56 Plied direction spun: S. Yarn classification: 2-ply. Needles: U.S. size 2. row, tug gently on sts below nee- Fill container with lukewarm dle to distribute the yarn from the water and a small amount of mild de- Finished size: 11" by 48". dropped loops downward. tergent. Mix thoroughly. Gently sub- Row 5: Knit. merge scarf into water and soak at Row 6: Purl. least 30 minutes. Drain water. Refill to knit next st (there will be 3 extra Rows 7–8: Knit. container with water at same temper- loops on the needle). Row 9: *K1, yo 2 times, k1, yo 3 ature and rinse gently. Drain water yo 4 times—bring yarn between nee- times, k1, yo 4 times, k1, yo 3 then press scarf between two bath dles to front, wrap completely times, k1, yo 2 times, k5; rep, from towels (do not rub). around needle three times, bring over * to last 6 sts, k1, yo 2 times, k1, Block under tension by pinning needle once more for fourth yo and yo 3 times, k1, yo 4 times, k1, yo 3 down the still-damp scarf on a flat prepare to knit next st (there will be times, k1, yo 2 times, k1. surface while gently stretching into 4 extra loops on the needle). Row 10: Knit, dropping the extra shape and emphasizing the softly loops from the yarnovers of pre- scalloped edges. Let dry thoroughly Instructions vious row off needle as you come before removing blocking pins. z Cast on 76 sts loosely (or multiple to them. (Be careful not to drop of 10 sts + 6 sts). the other sts!) After completing Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer (Jackie E-S) of Knit 2 rows and then begin pattern. row, tug gently on sts below nee- Destrehan, Louisiana, is a longtime knitting enthusiast who shares her love of knitting Rows 1–2: Knit. dle to distribute the yarn from the and experience through designing, publish- Row 3: *K6, yo 2 times, k1, yo 3 dropped loops downward. ing, and teaching. Her growing roster of times, k1, yo 4 times, k1, yo 3 Row 11: Knit. HeartStrings patterns is available at an ever- times, k1, yo 2 times; rep from * to Row 12: Purl. increasing network of retailers and can be last 6 sts, k6. Rep Rows 1–12 until length de- seen at www.heartstringsfiberarts.com. Her interest in the fiber arts extends beyond Row 4: Knit, dropping the extra sired (or close to your yarn running knitting and spinning to include weaving, loops from the yarnovers of pre- out) ending with Row 5 or 11. dyeing, and all needle arts. vious row off needle as you come Knit 2 rows. to them. (Be careful not to drop Bind off loosely. Weave in ends in- the other sts!) After completing visibly.

©F+W Media, Inc. ■ All rights reserved ■ F+W Media grants permission for any or all pages in this issue to be copied for personal use Spin.Off ■ spinningdaily.com ■ 4 P roject Plush Pygora Scarf By Carol Huebscher Rhoades

ainbow Yarns Northwest it out again and hung it from the op- Next page: 1. Carol’s scarf takes advantage Rgenerously donated several posite side to complete drying. of pygora’s natural luster and weight. 2. forms of pygora for the this article, My favorite scarf pattern is Crest Natural white pygora fiber (types A, B, and including a large bag of mixed types of the Wave (sometimes called Foam- C) that has been dehaired, blended, and A, B, and C pygora fiber that had ing Waves). It’s related to Feather and commercially processed into a “cloud” been commercially carded into a light Fan but is not as common. In fact, (donated by Rainbow Yarns Northwest). 3. 2-ply skein spun Z, plied S, 16 wraps per cloud. The dehaired fiber was a lovely I’ve had many knitters ask about the inch, and 1,192 yards per pound. mix of softness and luster that I “unusual” pattern. It’s easy to memo- wanted to maintain in the yarn. Softly rize, and the lace alternating with spinning and plying the fiber resulted garter stitch lends a nice rhythm to in a lustrous and plump yarn that the knitting process. I modified the Project Notes glided through my hands as I knitted. original pattern slightly by adding 2 Preparing the fiber was easy. I gen- rows to the lace sequence. The edge Fiber: Rainbow Yarns dehaired tly peeled off thin layers from the batt stitches produce a chain effect along pygora, mixture of types A, B, and C, and spun from an edge. So that the the sides, but feel free to simply knit natural white. fiber cloud wouldn’t disperse, I peeled the first and last stitches of each row Preparation: Commercially off only one layer at a time, spun it, if you prefer. prepared “cloud.” and then peeled another layer. As I With a loose cast-on method (use Drafting method: Double drafting. spun, I was careful not to let a lot of the knitted cast-on or hold two nee- twist build up, as that could easily dles together for long-tail cast-on), Wheel: Lendrum double treadle. make the yarn wiry. I spun with a cast on 41 sts. Work in Crest of the Wheel system: Flyer lead. double drafting backward draw, with Wave pattern to desired length (my Ratio (singles/plying): 12:1. twist entering the fiber as I drew back scarf has 27 pattern repeats) and end about 8 inches. Then I pinched off the with 4 rows garter stitch before bind- Singles direction spun: Z. fiber supply and the twist and pulled ing off loosely. Singles wraps per inch: 32–34. back a bit more to even out the yarn— Crest of the Wave (multiple of 12 Plied direction spun: S. with twist entering intermittently to + 1 + 2 edge stitches at each side) keep the yarn stable. I was careful not (From Barbara G. Walker’s A Treasury Plied twists per inch: 4. to thin the yarn too much, again to of Knitting Patterns. Pittsville, Wis- Plied wraps per inch: 16. prevent wiriness. I picked off the occa- consin: Schoolhouse Press, 1998: Total yardage: 380. sional little nub as the yarn was form- 205. Reprinted with permission from ing by pulling it toward the orifice and Schoolhouse Press.) Yards per pound: 1,192. away from the yarn. The yarn was Rows 1–4: Sl1 knitwise, knit to last st, Yarn classification: Light worsted. spun on my Lendrum double-treadle end purl 1. Yardage used: 365. wheel at 12:1. A ply-back-on-itself test Rows 5, 7, 9, 11, 13: Sl1 knitwise, k2, of the yarn showed that it would be an *(k2tog) 2 times, (yo, k1) 3 times, Needles: U.S. size 8 (5 mm). 1 inelastic but fluffy two-ply yarn. To yo, (ssk) 2 times, k1; rep from * to Gauge: 5 sts and 5 ⁄2 rows in lace keep the fluffiness, I plied the yarn last 2 sts and end k1, p1. pattern = 1". softly with a low twist. I set the twist Rows 6, 8, 10, 12, 14: Sl1 knitwise, Finished size: 8" × 71". by gently soaking the skein in a no- k1, purl to last 2 sts, end k1, p1. rinse wool wash for 15 minutes and Block by lightly steam-pressing then, after gently squeezing out the scarf under a damp cloth and laying water down the skein, I hung it out- it flat to dry. z side to dry. When it was partially dry Carol H. Rhoades spins, writes, edits, (the top was almost dry but water had translates, and knits at her home in Madison, collected near the bottom), I squeezed Wisconsin.

Spontaneous Knitting Making the most of sample skeins and leftover yarns By Charlene Anderson

Next page: Charlene Anderson saves up bits any years ago when I was a ing enough yarn for a different scarf. of leftover handspun yarn to create Mproduction weaver, I designed Needle size, gauge, and specific yarn spontaneous scarves. a series of shawls and scarves that amounts are not critical when you are used random yarns in the warp. My making these scarves. original intention was to free up I am fearless about mixing different Project Notes some storage space by using up the fibers. I’m not concerned if the yarns small bits and pieces of yarn that I vary a lot in size or wraps per inch 1 Finished size: 6 ⁄4 by 54 inches had accumulated. These pieces were either. If a particular yarn is a lot thin- with 16 inches of fringe. so successful that I ended up buying ner than the majority, I may knit it by Yarn: My scarves have needed an odd lots of yarn to make more. So holding two strands together, or I may average of 6 yards of yarn per row; much for depleting my stash! knit with strands of two different yarns your mileage may vary. Estimate the As a handspinner I collect small held together. yardage needed per row by marking skeins of yarn, samples from classes off one-yard increments (I tied small and workshops, and leftovers from Choosing the right cast knots to delineate the yards) on one completed projects. Many times there on method of your yarns. Knit across the row, ticking off the yards as you come isn’t enough of this leftover yarn for a Begin by casting on the long edge of the to your markers. Round up to the warp, so it can’t be used for weaving. scarf in a method that will exactly match nearest yard and then you can safely That is why I have developed a way to the look of the bind off you will use on guess if you have enough yarn to use short lengths of leftovers to make the scarf. I use a cast on method that I complete a row. beautiful knitted scarves. Once you found in June Hemmons Hiatt’s The Prin-

Gauge: My scarves have averaged understand the concept behind these ciples of Knittingcalled the Chained Cast- on. The beauty of this cast on method about 4 stitches per inch in garter scarves, they are quite easy to knit. stitch. is that it looks exactly like the bind off method that most of us use, one that cre- Needles: U.S. size 8; a crochet Choosing yarns ates an edge that looks like a crocheted hook that is big enough to catch the In setting up for spontaneously knit- chain. There are two methods of working cast on yarn without splitting it. ting scarves from leftovers, I spent a this cast on technique; one uses two knit- Notions: A 21-inch length of few enjoyable days pulling together all ting needles, the other a knitting needle nonstretchy yarn, like carpet warp or the odd bits of yarns scattered through- and crochet hook. I prefer the one that crochet cotton. out my studio. I combined the leftovers uses the crochet hook as shown here. in plastic bags, each one contain-

©F+W Media, Inc. ■ All rights reserved ■ F+W Media grants permission for any or all pages in this issue to be copied for personal use Spin.Off ■ spinningdaily.com ■ 7 Casting on with a crochet hook and a knitting needle

When Charlene is knitting one of her spontaneous scarves, her favorite cast on technique creates an edge that looks just like the typical cast off edge so both long edges of her scarf look the same. You will need one of your project knitting needles and any size crochet hook that can grab the yarn that you use to cast on. This technique is very much like crocheting a chain of stitches. The crochet hook makes the chain stitches below the knitting needle while the working yarn gets wrapped around the knitting needle to make the cast on stitches. Put a slipknot on the crochet hook and hold the hook in your working hand. Hold the knitting needle and the working yarn in your other hand. Grab the yarn with the hook while you hold the knitting needle between them. When you pull the yarn through the loop that was already on the hook, the yarn will make a stitch on the knitting needle. Move the yarn to the back of the knitting needle and repeat.

Crochet chain cast on

©F+W Media, Inc. ■ All rights reserved ■ F+W Media grants permission for any or all pages in this issue to be copied for personal use Spin.Off ■ spinningdaily.com ■ 8 Knitting the scarf many assets. It is reversible, does not thread you have looped on your needle. Cast on 203 stitches. Leave an 8- to roll, is easy to work, and it creates a Counting rows 10-inch tail at the beginning and end fabric that almost appears woven. If of the cast on row for the fringe. Your you are using seed stitch and want to I keep track of the number of rows by scarf can be made longer or shorter by make the scarf longer or shorter, re- loosely knotting together groups of varying the number of stitches that you member to cast on an odd number of 6 fringe yarns (the yarn ends from 6 cast on. stitches so the stitch pattern of knit and rows). When I have 10 of these groups, purl will be the same on both sides at I know that I have completed the 60 Choosing a stitch pattern the end of the rows. rows I want for my scarf. Choose a reversible stitch pattern. My Consistent fringe Finishing favorite for these scarves is the seed stitch, an elegantly simple stitch with Change yarn with each row of the scarf, I use the standard bind off method. Af- leaving a tail at the beginning and end ter binding off the scarf, adjust the ten- of each row that will become the fringe sion of the fringe yarns so that it is the in the finished scarf. To aid in mea- same throughout the scarf. Then tie the Lark's head knot suring fringe length, I cut a 21-inch fringe yarn in groups of 6 with over- piece of nonstretchy yarn (carpet warp hand knots, snugging the knots up Fold yarn in half and fold the or crochet cotton works well). Tie the against the edge of the scarf. loop over another yarn, wrist, or ends of this yarn together, and then I use a clear plastic ruler and a rota- wire; thread ends through the loop the yarn with a lark’s head knot loop and pull snug. ry cutter to trim the fringe evenly. You over your knitting needle (on the cable can finish the ends by making a twisted if you’re using circulars, near the knob fringe or by adding beads to the fringe. if you’re using straight needles). You A light steaming, without touching the now have a built-in 10-inch measuring iron to the scarf, is all you need to fin- device for keeping your fringe lengths ish the scarf. z fairly consistent. Using this trick beats guessing on the length, or digging out Charlene Anderson is a multitalented fiber a tape measure each time you cut the artist who loves to travel. When she is not liv- yarn. Just make sure the tail you leave ing out of a suitcase and seeing the world, she on each end is as long as the measuring calls Jackson, Wyoming, home.

©F+W Media, Inc. ■ All rights reserved ■ F+W Media grants permission for any or all pages in this issue to be copied for personal use Spin.Off ■ spinningdaily.com ■ 9 P roject Undulating scarf by Adriana Schoenberg

received about 4 ounces of a lus- a modified long draw, controlling Iciously rich-colored wool fiber that the twist with my forward hand was dyed and carded into batts by while pulling the fiber with my back Deb Menz for her workshop at the hand. I adapted the Flame Ribbing Spin.Off Autumn Retreat (SOAR) in pattern from Barbara Walker’s A 2006. I was attracted to the violet- Fourth Treasury of Knitting Patterns plum overtones containing streams as the base stitch, and a lovely re- of greens, burgundies, and blues and versible scarf was born. The fabric very occasional flecks of buttery has a very soft hand with an elegant yellow and pink. I split the batts color balance, which calls to be lengthwise into 2-inch strips and wrapped around a neck on a cool Purple Scarf predrafted, then spun the yarn with evening out. Project Notes

Fiber: Wool with alpaca, mohair, and silk noil. Preparation: Drumcarded into batts by Deb Menz. Drafting method: Modified long draw, woolen. Wheel: Lendrum double treadle. Wheel system: Scotch tension. Ratio (singles/plying): 8:1 (singles), 10:1 (plying). Singles direction spun: Z. Singles wraps per inch: 25. Twist angle: 33˚. Number of plies: 2. Plied direction spun: S. Plied twists per inch: 12. Plied wraps per inch: 14. Total yardage: 220. Yards per pound: 1,400. Yarn classification: Double- knitting (DK) weight. Yardage used: 220 (2.7 oz). Needles: U.S. size 5. Gauge: 5 stitches and 7 rows = 1" in St st. Finished size: 6" × 37". Green Scarf Project Notes

Fiber: Polwarth dyed roving (Blue/ Green Tweed colorway) from Rovings. Preparation: Commercially carded roving. Drafting method: Modified long draw, woolen. Wheel: Lendrum double treadle. Wheel system: Scotch tension. Ratio (singles/plying): 8:1 (singles), 10:1 (plying). Singles direction spun: Z. Singles wraps per inch: 40. Twist angle: 40˚. Number of plies: 2. Plied direction spun: S. Plied twists per inch: 8. Plied wraps per inch: 16. Total yardage: 275. Yards per pound: 1,350. Yarn classification: Sportweight. Yardage used: 275 (3.25 oz). Needles: U.S. size 4. Gauge: 7 stitches and 8 rows = 1" in St st. Finished size: 5" × 55".

Adriana Schoenberg’s very simple and completely reversible scarf pattern really shows off handspun yarn.

©F+W Media, Inc. ■ All rights reserved ■ F+W Media grants permission for any or all pages in this issue to be copied for personal use Spin.Off ■ spinningdaily.com ■ 11 psso*; repeat * to * until 5 sts rem and end p1, k1, sl m, k2, p1. Row 18: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, k1,*(p1, k1) 7 times, p1, CDI*; repeat * to * until 5 sts rem and end p1, k1, sl m, k2, p1. Row 20: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, * sl 1-k2tog-psso, (p1, k1) 6 times, p1, CDI, p1*; repeat * to * until 6 sts rem and end k1, p1, k1, sl m, k2, p1. Row 22: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, *sl 1-k2tog-psso, (p1, k1) 5 times, p1, CDI, p1, k1, p1*; repeat * to * until 6 sts rem and end k1, p1, k1, sl m, k2, p1. Row 24: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, *sl 1-k2tog-psso, (p1, k1) 4 times, p1, CDI, (p1, k1) 2 times, p1*; repeat * to* until 6 sts rem and end k1, Abbreviations Row 2: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, k1, p1, k1, sl m, k2, p1. CDI—Center double increase (knit *p1, CDI, (p1, k1) 6 times, p1, sl Row 26: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, *sl into back of stitch, then front of 1-k2tog-psso*; repeat * to * un- 1-k2tog-psso, (p1, k1) 3 times, p1, next stitch, and then knit into til 5 sts rem and end p1, k1, sl m, CDI, (p1, k1) 3 times, p1*; repeat back of vertical bar between those k2, p1. * to * until 6 sts rem and end k1, stitches). Row 4: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, k1, *p1, p1, k1, sl m, k2, p1. wyb—With yarn in back k1, p1, CDI, (p1, k1) 5 times, p1, Row 28: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1,*sl wyf—with yarn in front sl 1-k2tog-psso*; repeat * to * un- 1-k2tog-psso, (p1, k1) 2 times, p1, sl m—Slip marker til 5 sts rem and end p1, k1, sl m, CDI, (p1, k1) 4 times, p1*; repeat sl1-k2tog-psso—Slip1 st with yarn in k2, p1. * to * until 6 sts rem and end k1, back, k next two sts tog, then pass Row 6: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, k1, *(p1, p1, k1, sl m, k2, p1. the sl st over the k st. k1) 2 times, p1, CDI, (p1, k1) 4 Row 30: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, *sl times, p1, sl 1-k2tog-psso *; repeat 1-k2tog-psso, p1, k1, p1, CDI, (p1, Scarf * to * until 5 sts rem and end p1, k1) 5 times, p1*; repeat * to * un- Always slip markers (sl m) after k1, sl m, k2, p1. til 6 sts rem and end k1, p1, k1, sl the first 3 sts and before the last 3 sts. Row 8: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, k1, *(p1, m, k2, p1. Markers set off edge sts throughout. k1) 3 times p1, CDI, (p1, k1) 3 Row 32: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, *sl Cast on 47 stitches (I used a knit- times, p1, sl 1-k2tog-psso*; repeat 1-k2tog-psso, p1, CDI, (p1, k1) ted cast-on). The pattern is a multiple * to * until 5 sts rem and end p1, 6 times, p1*; repeat * to * until 6 of 18 + 5 + the 6 edge sts. k1, sl m, k2, p1. sts rem and end k1, p1, k1, sl m, Rows 1–6: Knit all but slip the first Row 10: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, k1, k2, p1. stitch knitwise wyb and purl the *(p1, k1) 4 times, p1, CDI, (p1, last stitch. k1) 2 times, p1, sl 1-k2tog-psso*; Repeat above 32 rows to desired The first 3 sts are always worked as repeat * to * until 5 sts rem and scarf length. sl 1 knitwise wyb, k2; the last 3 sts end, p1, k1, sl m, k2, p1. Finish by repeating Rows 1–6, then are always worked as k2, p1. Row 12: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, k1, bind off. Block with a steam iron hov- Begin pattern and knit as follows *(p1, k1) 5 times, p1, CDI, p1, k1, ering over the scarf. z (always slip first st and purl last st): p1, sl 1-k2tog-psso*; repeat * to * Row 1 and all odd-numbered rows (WS): until 5 sts rem and end p1, k1, sl Adriana Schoenberg supports her fiber habits Sl 1 knitwise wyb, k2, sl m, *p1, m, k2, p1. by working as a family nurse practitioner at Row 14: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, k1, the University of California, Berkeley, Health k1*; repeat * to * until 4 sts rem, Services. She lives in Albany, California, with end p1, sl m, k2, p1. I recommend *(p1, k1) 6 times, p1, CDI, p1, sl her partner and fiber muse, Nancy Roberts of that you mark the WS of your work 1-k2tog-psso*; repeat * to * un- www.machineknittingtodyefor.com. with a safety pin—you will be til 5 sts rem and end p1, k1, sl m, thankful for the reminder when you k2, p1. Resources return to your work after putting it Row 16: Sl 1, k2, sl m, k1, p1, k1, Deb Menz, www.debmenz.com. down for any length of time. *(p1, k1) 7 times, p1, sl 1-k2tog- Green Polwarth roving from www.rovings.com. P roject

Helix Scarf by Stephenie Gaustad

©F+W Media, Inc. ■ All rights reserved ■ F+W Media grants permission for any or all pages in this issue to be copied for personal use Spin.Off ■ spinningdaily.com ■ 13 hile thumbing through Project Notes WKnitting New Scarves by Lynne Barr, I saw a scarf that got its Fiber: 2 oz Merino/silk blend. inspiration from seaweed. On only my first cup of tea that morning, Preparation: Commercially I started thinking about a favorite carded sliver. sea creature, the nudibranch or Drafting method: Worsted. sea slug (an unfortunate name for Spindle: Tahkli. such a beauty with wildly colored flaring skirts). Thus the germ for Singles direction spun: Z. the structure of the Helix Scarf was Singles twists per inch: 40–42. planted. At the 2009 Spin.Off Autumn Re- Singles wraps per inch: 74. treat (SOAR), I was fortunate enough Singles yards per pound: 9,680. to sit with someone who won fiber but couldn’t take it home, so she gra- Number of plies: 2. ciously shared it with everyone at her Plied direction spun: S. table. The fiber was a luscious blend Plied twists per inch: 24. of mauve Merino/silk. At home, I could not resist the stuff and spun it Plied wraps per inch: 52. up on the tahkli, with no thought of Plied yards per pound: 4,848. end use, enjoying the colors and the generosity of people. Yarn classification: High-twist I sampled the SOAR gift yarn in the fine laceweight. helix structure and was delighted to Total yardage: 606. see how well it performed as a knitted lace yarn with some crispness. Yardage used: 364. scarf is the desired length. Needles: U.S. size 1. Spindle Spinning Bind off. Work the ends in as in- visibly as possible. Spinning on the tahkli requires Gauge: 7 sts and 8 rows in garter Note that you will be inserting st with short rows = 1"; 9 sts and the fibers to flow freely with a one- wedges on both edges. 10 rows in garter st = 1". handed draft. The Merino/silk blend Of course, gauge, that monster drafted nicely after some manipula- Finished size: 4 " x 41" mediator of hand and drape, is a large tion and predrafting. I wrapped the unstretched, 1.2 oz. factor. After sampling with differ- sliver around my wrist or pulled off ent needle sizes, I haven’t yet found pieces into short chunks. The singles a handspun yarn that doesn’t work were spun draft against twist (point- with this structure. of-contact). After all the singles were What about you? Wrap and spun, I plied them on a double-drive W&T (wrap This project began with its roots in turn the last flyer/bobbin wheel. I plied the yarn, stitch in each a gift. It grew into one project. This and turn for wound the yarn into a skein, and set short-row. With tender shoot is passed to you. What it with steam. I then rewound the short-rows) working yarn will the trunk and leaves be like? z behind nee- skein onto a bobbin and knitted from dles, slip next st the bobbin placed on a lazy kate. Dyepots litter the front yard; looms, books, purlwise to right needle. Bring yarn in and spinning wheels fill the house. Her daugh- front, return sl st to left needle, and Scarf ter asks if maybe Mom “has an issue with too turn work. This minimizes holes at the The Helix Scarf is a garter pattern much fiber.” No. It is just life asStephenie ends of the short-rows. For instance, with short-row ruffles on each side of Gaustad. in the first row, knit 10 stitches, slip a central strip. the eleventh stitch purlwise onto the CO 30 sts. Resources right-hand needle, bring the yarn for- Row 1: Knit 30 sts. ward, and slip the eleventh stitch back Barr, Lynne. Knitting New Scarves. New York: Wedge onto the left-hand needle. Turn the Stewart, Tabori and Chang, 2007. work and knit 10 stitches back to the Knit 10 sts; W&T. Gaustad, Stephenie. “Tahkli Spindles: Beyond edge. You will knit the wrapped stitch Knit back to the edge. Cotton.” Spin.Off 34, 2 (Summer 2010), when you knit across all 30 stitches in Knit 5 sts; W&T. 58–61. Step 4 of the wedge instructions. Knit back to the edge. Square, Vicki. The Knitter’s Companion. Loveland, Repeat Row 1 and wedge until Colorado: Interweave, 1996.