Knit a Simple Scarf with Knits and Purls

The other day I was talking about how much I love knitting because you can do so much with a few basic techniques, and how it can be used to make things dramatically detailed or basic but ever so useful.

This one falls in that second category. The Yarrow Scarf from Mirella Moments is made with just knits and purls, so it’s a great project for a newer knitter. But the simple switch up from solid garter stitch makes this project look interesting and can hold the attention of more experienced knitters looking for a fast and easy project.

The scarf is worked with DK weight yarn (though you could also use worsted and either cast on fewer stitches or just make a wider scarf; you’ll need multiples of four plus one stitches if you want to change the stitch count) and has a two row repeat.

Because the scarf is still mostly knit, it won’t curl up on the edges and should keep you nice and warm, whatever weight of yarn you want to use.

This stitch pattern is so simple I don’t think there’s even a name for it (at least not in the first volume of Barbara G. Walker’s A Treasury of Knitting Patterns), but it does serve as a good reminder that there are a lot of different simple stitch patterns than can be done with just knits and purls, whether that’s ribbing or moss and seed stitch (do you know the difference?), broken rib or simple chevron designs to name just a few.

Do you have a favorite simple combination of knit and purl stitches? I’d love to hear about it! I think my favorite might be seed stitch, but if you ask me again tomorrow I’ll probably give you a different answer!

[Photo: Mirella Moments]

I rarely understand why something becomes a trend in crafting. Gnomes and geese are both cute I guess, but I never thought we’d be making them for all seasons. (See, for example, this collection of gnome knitting patterns, or these knit geese.)

Another one I don’t totally understand is sardines or little fish more generally. Sure, they’re cute, and the shape is fun, but I had no idea when I was sharing this pattern for a fish-shaped pouch last year that it would become a hugely popular pattern that people are still searching for on the site. It is pretty cute, though, so if you weren’t around then or don’t remember you should got check it out.

Recently another fishy knitting pattern crossed my monitor: the little knit fish from Classical Songbird Designs.

Just as the name suggests, these fish are little, about 4.5 inches or 11 cm from end to end. They look like little sardines and take about 12 yards of sock yarn to make.

You can even make a two-tone fish and use just 6 yards of each color.

This sounds to me like just about the perfect use for the yarn that’s left over after knitting a pair of socks, or a mini skein or several that have been sitting around unused in your stash.

The fish are knit flat in one piece, which makes it easy to stitch on the eyes with more yarn or embroidery floss before stuffing, and you can stitch up the sides while you stuff (though it’s not a very big piece so you could probably stitch and then stuff, finishing with the end of the tail).

Because I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one wondering, I measured an Altoids box and as the pattern is written the fish are a little too big to fit in it (the box is about 4 inches/10 cm long). But you could make the fish a little smaller if you want to make a box of them. Or just make a fishy bag to put them in!

You can grab the free pattern for the little knit fish at Classical Songbird Designs.

[Photo: Classical Songbird Designs.]

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