INTRODUCTION

Martesana

by Angela Hahn

Lace scallops angle across this infinity scarf, separated by raised diagonal bands; the hypnotic rhythm of the Milanese Lace stitch pattern has always fascinated me. Plus the fact that the fabric doesn’t bias, even with so much diagonal movement. All that and a five-round repeat?? Crazy.

Milan was once crisscrossed by interconnecting canals, much like Venice, but the Milanese canals were covered over almost 100 years ago. Naviglio Martesana was one of these canals.

I’ve calculated the length of this infinity loop so that it can be wrapped up to three times around the neck (or left long and hanging), but any length or width scarf can be worked by changing the number of pattern repeats.

The plum sample uses a nearly-solid-colored yarn, while the blue-green version uses a semi-solid yarn. Be wary of more heavily variegated yarns, which may hide the stitch pattern.

model: Angela Hahn, Blair Threatt

photos: Louis DeVesto, Angela Hahn

SIZE

One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Plum version (shown above)
Circumference: Approximately 54 inches/137 cm
Width: Approximately 7 inches/18 cm

Blue-green version (shown below)
Circumference: Approximately 60 inches/152.5 cm
Width: Approximately 7 inches/18 cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Plum version:
Shalimar Yarns Enzo Worsted[70% superwash merino, 20% cashmere, 10% nylon; 235 yd/220m per 3.4 oz/100g skein]; Tramp Stamp; 2 skeins

Blue-green version:
Blue-green version: Hazel Knits Lively DK[90% superwash merino, 10%nylon; 275 yd/252m per 3.5 oz/100g skein]; Aquarius, 2 skeins.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #8/5mm circular needle, 32 inch/80 cm or longer

Notions
yarn needle
stitch markers

GAUGE

16 sts/25 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in lace pattern stitch
17 sts/25 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in St st. Note that needle size is larger than that suggested on ball bands.

PATTERN NOTES

[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

Instructions are given for plum[blue-green] versions. Main lace pattern is given in both written and chart form. "Top edging" refers to the edging worked continuously with the body of the scarf, while "Bottom edging" refers to the edging worked from stitches picked up from the cast on edge; although these edgings appear almost identical, the instructions are different for each.

I used a long-tail cast on, which makes that edge of the scarf slightly less stretchy, and the ribbed ruffle along that edge is more likely to fold over when worn. I like this because I feel it gives more options (the scarf can be wrapped so that side is next to your face—or not!). However, a provisional cast on could be used instead; this would make the edges of the scarf equally stretchy.

CHARTS

Lace pattern (worked over 6 sts and 5 rnds):
Rnd 1: K4, k2tog, yo.
Rnd 2: K3, k2tog, k1, yo.
Rnd 3: K2, k2tog, k2, yo.
Rnd 4: K1, k2tog, k3, yo.
Rnd 5: K2tog, k4, yo.

DIRECTIONS

Body
CO 216 [240] sts. PM and join for working in the round.

Body Rnd: Work Lace Pattern 36[40] times around.
Work as set until you have completed all 5 rounds of the pattern.

Move start of round as follows: Remove m, sl1, place m for new beg of rnd.
Work as set until you have completed the 5 rounds of the pattern 7 times in total. – moving the start of round each time you complete the pattern – and work pattern round 1 once more.

Top edging:
Rnd 1: *[K1, p1] 3 times, yo. Rep from * to end of rnd. 1 st inc’d in each rep. 252[280] sts.
Rnd 2: *[K1, p1] 3 times, k1, yo. Rep from * to end of rnd. 1 st inc’d in each rep. 288[320] sts.
Rnd 3: *[K1, p1] 4 times, yo. Rep from * to end of rnd. 1 st inc’d in each rep. 324[360] sts.
Rnd 4: *[K1, p1] 4 times, k1, yo. Rep from * to end of rnd. 1 st inc’d in each rep. 360[400] sts.
Rnd 5: *[K1, p1] 5 times, yo. Rep from * to end of rnd. 1 st inc’d in each rep. 396[440] sts.

BO all sts in patt as follows: *BO 10 sts in rib patt as est, yo, pass 2nd st on right hand needle over yo to bind off 11th st, knit next st on left hand needle (first st of next rep) and pass yo over it to BO yo. Rep from * until 1 st (final yo) rem on right-hand needle. Break yarn but do not pass yarn tail through final st; instead pull out final st until yarn tail pulls free (avoiding creating an extra st at end of BO).

FINISHING

Weave in ends and block, stretching body to open up lace, and stretching ribbed edging to accentuate points.

Bottom edging:
With RS facing and beg with any yo, rejoin yarn and pick up and knit 1 st for every CO st. 216[240] sts. Pm for beg of rnd.
Rnd 1: P1, k1, yo, [p1, k1] twice. Rep from * to end of rnd. 1 st inc’d in each rep. 252[280] sts.
Rnd 2: P1, k1, p1, yo, [p1, k1] twice. Rep from * to end of rnd. 1 st inc’d in each rep. 288[320] sts.
Rnd 3: [P1, k1] twice, yo, [p1, k1] twice. Rep from * to end of rnd. 1 st inc’d in each rep. 324[360] sts.
Rnd 4: [P1, k1] twice, p1, yo, [p1, k1] twice. Rep from * to end of rnd. 1 st inc’d in each rep. 360[400] sts.
Rnd 5: [P1, k1] 3 times, yo, [p1, k1] twice. Rep from * to end of rnd. 1 st inc’d in each rep. 396[440] sts.

Weave in additional ends and block again as needed.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Angela Hahn's designs can be found on her Ravelry designer page.

Her first book of knitting patterns, Knitted Tanks and Tunics: 21 Crisp, Cool Designs for Sleeveless Tops, was released on April 1st, 2018.

Pattern & images © 2018 Angela Hahn.