Named for the mathematical definition of the point at which
a curved line changes from concave to convex, Inflection
is a lovely curved scarf that can sometimes look
like a shawlette. Worked with lace weight yarn, this light scarf
has great versatility as an accessory that can be draped, wrapped,
or pinned during any season. Ruched short rows create
dense gussets that curve the scarf in one direction or another.
Bi-directional gussets and wedges of these gussets can be varied
to create different shapes and lengths. This pattern is written
for the two scarves shown in the photographs, but
a simple paper wedge technique gives almost infinite design possibilities.
Perfect for gift giving, Inflection knits up very quickly requiring
only one skein of laceweight yarn, unless you go
totally crazy with your wedges.
Sometimes I like to imagine a long randomly
curving scarf emulating an aerial photo of a large
winding river…but
you’ll never know how close these green scarves came to
be named after a caterpillar.
model: Caitlin
Blankenship, Liz Burns, Colleen Holliday photos: Jean
Miller and James Blankenship
MATERIALS
Yarn Long [shown above] Cascade
Yarns Alpaca Lace Paint [100% Baby Alpaca;
437yd/400m per 50 g skein]; color: Flotsam;
1 skein
Short [shown below]: Cascade
Yarns Alpaca Lace [100% Baby Alpaca 437yd/400m
per 50 g skein]; color: Turtle; 1 skein
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] 1
16-inch US #6/4mm circular needle
Notions yarn
needle stitch marker
GAUGE
22 sts/42 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette stitch (blocked) Note: Gauge is not essential for this
pattern. Blocked gauge
is tighter on the inner curvature of the shawl
and looser on the outside curvature
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
The length of this scarf is adjustable
with instructions on how to change size
and shape using paper wedges. The
two examples shown in the photographs
only vary in construction based on the
number and direction of worked wedges.
p2tog tbl: Purl two together through the back
of the loop.
pbf: Similar to pfb except that I think purling
through the back then the front of the same stitch is faster
when you have quite a few of these increases to work.
sm: slip marker
Paper Wedge Design Process
In order to plan the shape of these two
scarves, I created paper wedges from
my swatch which had clusters of three
gussets. You can
design your own scarf by using
the wedge template included
here. Cut out as many wedges
as you think you need to create your
favorite shape and play around until
you have the length and number of curves you want. Then note
down the number and sequence of Left- and Right-pointing wedges.
DIRECTIONS
Left Edge
CO 42 sts.
Rows 1-4: K all sts.
Row 5 [WS]: K3, p to last
3 sts, k3.
Right-pointing wedge Row 1 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 2 [WS]: K3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 3 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 4 [WS]: K3, p to last 3 sts, k3.
Row 5 [RS]: K all sts.
Row 6 [WS]: K3, *wyif sl1 purlwise, yo, rep from * to last 15
sts, pm, p12, k3. 66 sts. 24 sts increased.
Row 7 [RS]: K15, sm, *k yo and next st tog tbl; rep from * to
last 3 sts, k3. 42 sts. 24 sts decreased.
Begin to work short rows: Row 8 [WS]: K3, pbf to marker,
sm, w&t. 66 sts. 24 sts increased.
Row 20 [WS]: Sm, *wyif sl1
purlwise, yo, repeat from * to last
3 sts, k3. 66 sts. 24 sts increased.
Row 21 [RS]: K3, *k yo
and next st tog tbl; rep from *
to marker, remove marker, k to
end. 42 sts. 24 sts decreased.
Row 22 [WS]: K3, p to last
3 sts, k3.
Repeat Rows 1-22 two more times to create first Left-pointing
wedge.
Work 3[5] Left-pointing wedges in total for S[L] scarf.
Work 1[2] further Right-pointing wedges for S[L] scarf.
Right Edge Row 1 [RS]: K all sts. Row 2 [WS]: K3, p to last
3 sts, k3. Row 3 [RS]: K all sts. Row 4 [WS]: K3, p to last
3 sts, k3. Row 5 [RS]: K all sts. Row 6 [WS]: K3, p to last
3 sts, k3. Rows 7-10: K all sts.
BO all stitches loosely.
FINISHING
Weave in loose ends of yarn with yarn needle.
Block scarf one of two ways:
Method 1: The longer, dark green scarf was
blocked in the following manner and creates a narrower, more
scarf-like piece. After dampening with your preferred method,
allow the 3 st garter selvedge to curl under which it will do
naturally along the curves. Pin to shape with the turned
under edge in place. Scallop the rushed gussets on the
outside curvature by pulling them to the desired size.
Method 2: The shorter light green scarf was
blocked as follows and ends up looking more
like a shawlette. After
dampening, pull this piece a little tighter
and stretch the selvedge edge out fully. Because it is
stretched more, the ruched gussets do not scallop as much as
when using Method 1.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Jean
Miller is a "retired" engineer staying at home with two
young sons. She gets her kicks from biking
and running very long distances. She also loves to knit
and try her hand at designing and writing
knitting patterns.
Jean blogs here and
you can find her on Ravelry as ecocrafter.
