I live by the ocean, the Atlantic Ocean to be exact. Every day
its waves come crashing on to my black volcanic beach. I walk
along the ocean almost every day; it is a source of great joy
and inspiration to me.
When I saw the skein of Kauni Yarn I used in this scarf, I thought
of the sea. The powerful waves of the open ocean, but also the
calmer waters of the deep Icelandic fjords.
The sea is sometimes blue up here in the north to be sure. But
it can just as well be green, steel grey, purple, red in the
sunrise and sunset, white and perhaps the magical color octarine,
that the fans of Terry Pratchett will readily recognize.
The frills on the scarf represent the endless waves on the vast
ocean, and the name, Alda, means wave in Icelandic.
The sea is never the same, and Alda can be worn in many different
ways. As a wrapped scarf, a mini stole, tied in one side, around
the waist with a belt and even as a headpiece.
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 2
US #2.5/3mm circular needles, 24 inches or longer
Notions Yarn
needle
GAUGE
24 sts/34 rows = 4" in
stockinette st
24 sts/36 rows (18 ridges)
= 4" in garter stitch
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
Edge Stitches:
For all rows except Decrease Rows, slip last st with yarn held to back
of work. When working the following row, bring the yarn around the first
st to the back of the work before working the first st. This will create
an edge that will look almost identical to garter stitch without slipped
edge sts, except that the edges will hold their shape better and flare
out less.
I-Cord
Using a circular or double-point needle,
CO required number of sts.
Next Row: Instead of turning work around
to work back on the WS, slide all sts to other end of needle,
switch needle back to your left hand, bring yarn around back
of work, and start knitting the sts again. I-Cord is worked with
the RS facing at all times.
Repeat this row to form I-cord. After
a few rows, work will begin to form a tube.
Instructions for the Backward Loop Cast On can be found here.
DIRECTIONS
Designate one needle Needle 1, and the
other Needle 2.
FIRST RUFFLE Using Needle 1, CO 300 sts.
K 7 rows (see Pattern Notes re. edge
sts).
Decrease Row [RS]: [Sk2p] to end. 100
sts.
K 7 rows. Break yarn and set aside.
SECOND RUFFLE
**Using Needle 2, CO 300 sts.
K 7 rows.
Decrease Row [RS]: [Sk2p] to end. 100
sts.
K 1 row.
Hold Needle 1 directly behind Needle 2 with RS facing (yarn
tail is at right of work), so that sts on both needles are aligned.
Joining Row [RS]: *Insert tip of right
needle into first st on Needle 2 and first st on Needle 1, k
these 2 sts together; repeat from * until all sts have been joined.**
Using Needle 1, k 7 rows. Break yarn and set aside.
THIRD RUFFLE Work from ** to ** as for second ruffle.
Using Needle 1, k 1 row.
Buttonhole Row 1 [RS]: K4, *BO 2 sts, k3 (4 sts on right needle
after bound off sts); repeat from * to end.
Buttonhole
Row 2 [WS]: K4, *CO 2 sts
using backward loop method (see Pattern
Notes); k4, repeat from * to end.
K 4 rows. Break yarn and set aside.
FOURTH, FIFTH AND SIXTH RUFFLES Work as for second ruffle.
SEVENTH RUFFLE Work from ** to ** as for second ruffle.
K 1 row. Loosely BO all sts.
TIES Work two lengths of I-Cord (see Pattern Notes), each approx.
11 inches long. When each cord is complete, do not bind off;
sew live sts to edge of scarf, attaching one tie at each end
of buttonhole rows.
FINISHING
Weave in ends and block as desired.
This piece has many wearing options; see photos for a few examples.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Harpa is an Icelandic writer who has been
knitting for longer than she cares to admit.
She loves to embroider insanely time-consuming
pieces and likes to think of herself as a bit better photographer
than she really is.
You can see her work and follow her crafty adventures here.
by
Harpa Jónsdóttir
