The Free Pattern
Glossary:
DblDec = double decrease (slip 2 sts together knitwise, knit next stitch, pass 2 slipped sts together over knit st); Dec(’d) = decrease(d); K = knit; K2Tog = knit 2 sts together; M1 = make one (with tip of left needle, lift strand running between needles from the front; knit into the back of it); P = purl; P2Tog = purl 2 sts together; RM = remove marker; RS = right side; SM = slip marker; St(s) = stitch(es); TBL = through back loop; WS = wrong side; YO = yarn over.
Cast on:
Using knitted cast-on method (sometimes called ‘lace cast-on’; this is not cable cast-on), cast on 287 sts.
Edging:
Row 1 (RS): K1, *YO, K5, pass 4 sts (one at a time, as if to bind off) over st at tip of right needle*; repeat between * * to last st; end YO, K1. [117 sts]
Row 2 (WS): P1, *[P1, YO, P1] into next st (YO from prior row), K1*; repeat between * * to last 2 sts, end [P1, YO, P1] into next st, P1. [233 sts]
Row 3 (RS): K1, M1, K1, *K1TBL (into YO from prior row), K3*; repeat between * * to last 3 sts, end K1TBL, K1, M1, K1. [235 sts]. Clip locking marker around base of 118th st to mark center (move it up as necessary).
Knit 3 rows; during last row, place 2 more markers, one after first 3 sts, one before last 3 sts.
Triangle:
First and last 3 sts of every row will form the long straight edge of scarf; work first and last sts very loosely to keep edge long and elastic. Tip: As you begin next row, pull up on loop of prior row; as you knit first stitch of new row, hold it with thumb to prevent tightening up.
Rows 1, 3 & 5 (RS): K1, P1, K1, SM; K2TogTBL, knit to 1 st before marked center st; DblDec; knit to 2 sts before final marker, K2Tog, SM, K1, P1, K1. [ 4 sts dec’d]
Rows 2 & 4 (WS): P1, K1, P1, SM, P2Tog, purl to 2 sts before final marker, P2TogTBL, SM, P1, K1, P1. [2 sts dec’d]
Row 6 (WS; for garter ridge on RS): P1, K1, P1, SM, K2Tog, knit to 2 sts before final marker, K2TogTBL, SM, P1, K1, P1. [2 sts dec’d; 217 sts]
Repeat Rows 1–6 once (twice) more. [181 sts]
Repeat (Rows 1–3 and Row 6) 8 times. [85 sts]
Repeat (Row 1 and Row 6) 12 times. [13 sts]
Next row (RS): K1, P1, K1, SM, K2TogTBL, DblDec, K2Tog, SM, K1, P1, K1. [9 sts]
Final row (WS): P1, P2TogTBL, RM, P2Tog, P1, RM, P2Tog, P1. [6 sts]
Finishing:
Cut yarn, leaving an 8"/20cm tail. To get needles parallel and pointing to the right (so that you're ready for grafting), hold wrong sides together and pull cable of circular needle out between first and last 3 sts. With tail and darning needle, graft sts together using Kitchener stitch (see below). (Alternatively, if you prefer not to graft, thread tail through all 6 sts and pull up tightly.) Weave in ends.
Machine wash on warm; lay flat to dry. Pin ends out as long as possible and pin bottom point; tug on each shell to define edging. When nearly dry, bash around in warm dryer to soften and ‘polish’ the yarn. Trim any small ends that have popped out.
GRAFTING (KITCHENER STITCH)
With the working yarn coming from the front needle, graft sts as follows:
Set-up steps: Insert darning needle into first st on front needle as if to purl, leave st on its needle and pull yarn through. Insert darning needle into first st on back needle as if to knit, leave st on its needle and pull yarn through.
Step 1: Insert darning needle into first st on front needle as if to knit, and lift stitch off needle (do not pull darning needle through st yet).
Step 2: Insert darning needle into next st on front needle as if to purl, but leave st on needle; pull yarn through.
Step 3: Insert darning needle into first st on back needle as if to purl, and lift st off needle (do not pull darning needle through st yet).
Step 4: Insert darning needle into next st on back needle as if to knit, but leave st on needle; pull yarn through.
Repeat these four steps until all sts have been lifted off needles, ending with Steps 1 then 3. With tip of needle, adjust tension of grafted sts to match tension of knitted rows. Weave in tails on wrong side.
