The Free Pattern

See "The Details" tab for size, yarn, needle, and gauge information.

Glossary:
Ch = chain; Dec(’d) = decrease(d); Inc(’d) = increase(d); K = knit; KBFB = knit into back, then front, then back of same stitch; P = purl; P3Tog = purl 3 stitches together; St(s) = stitch(es).

Scarf is worked on the bias by increasing at the end of every odd numbered row and decreasing at the end of every even numbered row, creating a very steep bias and nice long points.

Provisional cast-on:
By working a provisional cast-on and binding off later, both ends will match perfectly. Make a slip knot with waste yarn and place loop onto crochet hook. Hold needle and waste yarn in left hand and crochet hook in right; form an ‘X’ with left-pointing hook on top of right-pointing needle and yarn behind needle (knitting needle is ‘sandwiched’ between hook and yarn).

*Using crochet hook, Ch 1, pulling yarn through loop on hook and catching needle under chain. Bring yarn to back between needle and hook.* Repeat between * * until 84 (114)sts are cast on to needle. Note: To make scarf wider or narrower, add or subtract sts in multiples of 6. Continuing with waste yarn and hook only, Ch 3; place locking marker into last chain. Cut yarn and tighten around locking marker.

Set-up row:
Leaving a 2 (3) yds/m tail (for binding off later), knit to end. Note: Wrap your excess tail into a neat bundle to keep it out of your way while working.

Stitch pattern:
Row 1 (inc): *K2, P2, K1, P1*; repeat between * * to last 6 sts; K2, P2, K1, KBFB. [86 (116) sts]
Row 2 (dec): *K2, P2, K1, P1*; repeat between * * to last 8 sts; K2, P2, K1, P3Tog. [84 (114) sts] Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until desired length and you have approx. 2 (3) yds/m of yarn remaining to bind off. Note: It will take several rows for the nature of this pattern stitch to reveal its beauty—be patient!

First bind-off:
Bind off all sts knitwise, making sure to match tension so bind-off edge doesn’t pull or ruffle. Cut yarn and fasten off. Mark first and last sts of bind-off row to establish corners for blocking. Note: Adjust your needle size up or down if you’re having trouble matching tension.

Second bind-off:
Working from marked end of chain, remove marker and unzip provisional cast-on, picking up live sts onto gauge needle. Make sure you have 84 (114) sts and each st is sitting with correct orientation on needle (i.e., right leg in front). Using tail from provisional cast-on, repeat as for first bind-off. Weave in any remaining tails as invisibly as possible.

Blocking:
Soak scarf in lukewarm water with a little gentle wool wash (Catherine prefers The Laundress Wool & Cashmere Shampoo) for several hours or overnight. Rinse two or three times by soaking in fresh lukewarm water (careful—don’t agitate or twist!) until water is clear. This removes the mill finish that is characteristic of Catherine’s yarns. Gently squeeze out as much water as possible. Roll in towels and squeeze out as much remaining moisture as possible. Place on moisture-safe surface and using fine blocking wires or lots of pins, pin edges straight (maintaining parallelogram shape) and pin marked corners to points. Pull to at least 105% of desired finished dimensions (Merino is very bouncy and will spring back a little when dried and relaxed, so it helps to block it under some tension). Allow to air dry thoroughly.