Knitting

Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas

Knit a Sweet Kerchief Scarf in Two Weights

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I’ve lately been drawn to little projects. I don’t know if that has to do with my complete lack of patience this time of year, or the fact that I’m deep into an involved project (an argyle vest) I’ve told myself I have to finish before I can start anything else, and maybe I’m wondering if I snuck in something little I would fail to notice breaking my own rule.

Whatever the reason, I’m thinking a lot about little kerchief style scarves that can be used as headbands or wrapped cutely around your neck for a little extra warmth. (The headband bit? Is because I’m growing out my bangs.)

Olga Putano Designs has a couple of cute projects of this sort in different yarn weights, called Distance.

The original version was worked in a fingering weight mohair yarn. The second iteration uses DK weight. They’re both charming little pieces that start at a point and expand into a long straightaway, then end in another point. The scarf is covered with a cable pattern that looks pretty easy even as the cables merge and change along the length of the project.

The fingering weight version comes in two sizes (the difference is actually in the width, but you can also adjust the length), while the DK weight version has three size options that vary in length and in width.

Project photos show the scarf wrapped up tight around the neck like a kerchief, or tied around the head to make a headband. The longest version is about 3.6 feet long, so it’s not standard adult scarf size, but it will still keep you warm, cozy and stylish, especially when we get to those days that are just a little warmer.

You can find the patterns on Ravelry: fingering | DK

And if you love Olga’s designs, check out my review of her book, Only Yoking.

[Photo: Olga Putano Designs]

Have you read?

Learn a Flower Bobble Technique to Knit a Fun Shawl

Generally I like knitting patterns where I feel like you can use whatever yarn you have (because my stash is big enough and I want to use it, thanks) and make a successful project. This is one of those times when a special yarn makes the process that much easier. 

The Floral Bouquet Shawl from Xandy Peters uses a specific extended color pooling yarn from Feisty Fibers, which allows you to place the bobble flowers with increasing frequency as you knit the project. 

It starts with a solid color yarn, then the two color yarn is added in, and you make a bobble whenever you encounter the color pops. This would be hard to replicate with other yarn that doesn’t have the extended color pooling built in.

The background of the shawl is ribbed, making the project reversible. 

The shawl uses fingering/sock yarn and comes out to be an asymmetrical triangle that’s 54 inches/137 cm long and 36 inches/ 90 cm deep and 60 inches/150 cm across the top edge. 

Xandy says the pattern is for intermediate to advanced knitters. Knowing how to work traditional bobbles would probably help, but there’s a great video tutorial for how to work the floral bobbles so you can practice on other yarn or even incorporate the bobbles into other projects. 

The bobbles are five-petaled flowers but they also kind of look like starfish to me, which could be fun on a child’s cardigan or other pattern. They’d also be fun on the leg of a sock or around the brim of a hat for extra whimsy. 

The pattern includes photo and video tutorials, and written and charted instructions. It also includes tips on what to look for if you choose to use different yarn for the project, and instructions on how to dye your own yarn to use in the project. 

If you want to give it a try, you can find the pattern on Ravelry. 

[Photo: Xandy Peters]