Wednesday, October 7, 2009

NORWEGIAN SNOWFLAKE SCARF

Nothing says winter like Norwegian inspired knitwear and this hat is no exception. It incorporates the star motif popular in many Norwegian and Selbu designs. This hat matches the Norwegian Snowflake Scarf, and together they make a great set. Similar to the scarf it is a relatively simple knit and suitable for those with limited experience in stranded colorwork knitting. When choosing colors for this, it is important to know that traditional knitters in Norway had access to only red dye (madder) and blue dye (woad) in addition to the natural sheep colors of white, black, and grey.


Yarns suggested: Falk by Dale of Norway
Yarn weight: Sport / 5 ply, 116 yards(106 meters) per 50g skein
Gauge 8 stitches per inch
Needle size US 3 / 3.25 mm circular or DPNs US 1/ 2.25mm circular or DPNs
Yardage 5 Skeins, 580 yards (212 meters) MC 1 Skein, 116 yards (106 meters) CC


Instructions:

CO 108 sts in MC and join in the round, making sure that the stitches are not twisted.

Begin Chart 1, working the chart twice for each row.
Be sure to take notice of the k2tog in row 52 to account for the difference in gauge between stranded and stockinette knitting.

Continue in MC until half the desired length of the scarf. Place on stitch holders or waste yarn and cast on for the second half of the scarf, work second half of scarf identically to the first.

Join the two halves of the scarf using one of the following methods:

Three needle bind off – turn one of the scarf halves inside out over the other half (both RS should be facing each other and the live stitches should be at the same end.) Line up the start of the two rows and do a 3 needle bind off, weave in ends. This leaves a slightly noticeable seam.

Graft using Kitchener stitch – using Kitchener stitch, graft the two ends together, weave in ends. This method is completely invisible and my preferred method.

Seam the open ends, weave in ends.

Chart 1
The triangles on the side and bottom are indicators of row/stitch numbers (every 5th row is indicated) with the green indicating the start/beginning.

The last column on the chart is identical to the first and should not be knit, it is only used as a reference. Additionally the grey squares above the K2tog are placeholders and also should not be knit

2 comments:

  1. I am about to start this gorgeous scarf but noticed that your pattern in this blog calls for size 3 needles. The pattern I got from Ravelry calls for size 5 needles. Which size should I use?

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  2. Hi Todd, just wanted to let you know your blog is still getting interest, in 2023. As a new knitter(since May of this year, now almost Christmas)I've dropped almost all my crocheting of almost 50 years, having fallen hard for the two sticks! I'm glad you included the chart, as am going to attempt this in double knitting, rather than stranded...new knitter, remember? Thank you, and I look forward to perusing more of your writings and patterns. Blessings, Aryd'ell

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