Scarf knitting December 3, 2007

In Finishes, Knitting | 22 comments

I live in southern California. I just don’t need scarves. I almost never knit them except as gifts. But I had this idea for a scarf pattern. I had one ball of some pretty yarn. The idea for the scarf was born while I was swatching for my South Seas Stole, and I looked forward to knitting it up. I took the yarn and pattern to Montana so I could knit it over Thanksgiving.

Pacific Islands 1

  • Pattern: Pacific Islands
  • Source: my own design
  • Yarn: JaggerSpun Zephyr Wool-Silk 2/18, 220 yards, teal
  • Needles: US size 5
  • Gauge: Approximately 23 stitches x 26 rows to 4 inches in the shell lace stitch (center panel), blocked
  • Finished size: 10 x 61 inches (25.4 x 155 cm)
  • Elapsed time: November 20 – 28
  • Notes: The design is cast on and knit toward the center in two pieces, then grafted together. The cast-on edge makes beautiful points. The border is knit as the same time as the center panel, so it knits up quickly. The lace pattern is easy to memorize. The wrong side rows start and end with a couple garter stitches, and the rest is just purled.
Pacific Islands 4 Pacific Islands 5
Pacific Islands 3 Pacific Islands 6

I had a ton of fun knitting up this little scarf. I wrote a quick pattern for it, which I used to knit the scarf. The pattern’s only two pages long, including charts. The pattern’s written so that it can also be used to make a stole.

Pacific Islands 2

I seem to have pulled the grafted stitches a little too tight in places (arg), but I think you get the idea of what it’s supposed to look like.

My timing rather sucks, but if you don’t have any Christmas knitting (I know. Silly me.), or you want to throw it all out the window and knit a simple stole instead, please let me know as I’m looking for a test knitter. Since I already knit the scarf, I’m looking for someone to volunteer to knit the stole, which will be approximately 23.5 x 91.5 inches (60 x 232.5 cm); my math needs to be checked, etc. I’d like to get it done this month. I know. Silly, huh? If you have time in December, please let me know. I found someone. Thank you!

Edited to add: I will be distributing this pattern myself, once Wendy is done with me—hopefully some time next week. It will be available by download through my patterns page. If you want me to send you email when the pattern has been released, please let me know, and I’ll add you to the list. Also, if you prefer a print copy instead of download I can do that too, but you’ll need to pay for shipping.

Edited to add: The pattern is available, and ready for immediate download. I am discussing the possibility of having a printed version available through The Loopy Ewe, though nothing has been finalized yet.


22 comments

  1. Christina December 3

    Very pretty. No time in December with my Holiday knitting but if you still need someone in January let me know. I got some alpaca yarn for Christmas and have been looking for pattern. I was considering one that I saw just put up over at knitspot but this is lovely as well. The yarn is a little heavier than the Jaggerspun though, pics of it on my blog actually.

  2. Jenna December 3

    Oh, I so wish I could knit, but none of my crafts are really satisfying me right now. That would be gorgeous as a stole since it’s so lovely as a scarf. :)

  3. Angela December 3

    Oh gorgeous! Your family and friends on your gift list must be so “wowed”. So pretty!
    (Sorry, I am have a bad wording day, so yeah, it’s worse than usual. But you get the idea. ;) )

  4. Robin December 3

    Wow! That is so beautiful Laura. I would love to knit the scarf, I’m sorry I cannot commit to a stole, you know I’m just learning to knit lace so you really need someone alot more experienced than I. If you are going to share the scarf pattern I will for sure do that. I think my mother would appreciate it, she knows the work involved in knitting. Very, very pretty.

  5. Karen B. December 4

    I can totally see a bit of the South Seas in this lovely scarf, though it stands quite nicely on its own merit: beautiful.

  6. Dawn December 4

    Hope you have a Happy Birthday!

  7. Francesca December 4

    I love it. It ’s a perfect combination of pattern, yarn and color. :)

  8. Jocelyn December 4

    Ooh! I love this scarf! It’s so light and lacy, and you’re right, it’s just perfect for down here in SoCal (I’m always looking for light, pretty scarf projects). Hope you’re having a happy birthday (today!) :)

  9. Kim B. December 11

    Your scarf is gorgeous! Doncha just love Zephyr…I worked in my LYS a few years ago and spent many days winding balls of it for her wholesale customers. I can’t wait until you release the pattern for sale. I want to purchase one. Where will they be available? Happy Holidays!

  10. Ronni December 11

    That’s lovely! I found my way here courtesy of WendyKnits and I’m glad I did. I don’t need scarves often either but as a stole in spring or fall that would be gorgeous!

  11. Ingrid December 11

    Its beautiful - and I have some lacewwight that is looking for a pattern. Iam happy to test or purchase!

  12. Danielle from SW Missouri December 11

    Found my way here from Wendy Knits also, Love the pattern and I also cannot wait for it to be released for sale! Where will it be offered at (maybe the um….Loopy Ewe, hint hint)

  13. Nadine Collins December 12

    Your scarf is very lovely. Please let me know when the pattern is available.

    Thanks

  14. Betty December 12

    Beautiful - I’ve never seen anything so striking - I’d agree with an earlier comment - if the Loopy Ewe distributes your pattern your sales will soar. Also they can help us with laceweight materials (yarn and needles). I’d love to hear once you’ve ready to release the pattern.

  15. Issy December 12

    Beautiful pattern. Yes, I would love to know when available. Thanks.

  16. Angela December 12

    I love the pattern! I would definitely like to know when it’s released.

  17. knitnana December 12

    Ohhh….! Pretty! Pretty! Yes, I’d love to know when it’s ready….
    (((hugs)))

  18. Mindy December 12

    what a beautiful pattern! i have this same yarn lurking about just waiting to be knit. please send me an email when the pattern is finished!

  19. Esther December 12

    Gorgeous! And I have just the yarn for that in my stash.

    Please do let me know when the pattern is available. Thanks!

  20. Brenda December 12

    Wow!! Please let me know when the pattern is ready. Thanks!

  21. Sandie December 13

    I love it! Please let me know when it’s available :)

  22. Sarah December 13

    I would love to know when the pattern’s ready!