INTRODUCTION

Bloomin

by Sherril Steele-Carlin

The scarf is reversible, knit in the round, with the wrong side of the stranded colorwork hidden inside. It's an easy technique for an extra warm scarf, perfect for those first chilly fall days. The scarf begins with a sprig of fall leaves, then blooms with the last flowers of the season, from buds to bright bunches of the final hues of autumn.

Just like in nature, each flower blooms a little bit differently in the charts you'll find here, so the stitch counts are a little bit different for each one, but like the Shetland colorwork that inspired this design, a repeat that doesn't fit in perfectly wouldn't bother those knitters a bit. So, these repeats are special and unique, like the blooms they represent. Many thanks to Andrea Rangel for the motifs from her book AlterKnit Stitch Dictionary: 200 Modern Knitting Motifs.

model: Jacquie Longnecker

photos: William Carlin

SIZE

One.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Width: 7 inches/18 cm
Length: 71 inches/180.5 cm

MATERIALS

Yarn
Cascade 220 Fingering [100% Premium Highland Wool; 273 yds/250 m per 50g skein];
[MC] White; #8505; 4 skeins
[CC1] Black; #8555; 1 skein
[CC2] Ruby; #9404; 1 skein – sample used less than 100 yds/90 m
[CC3] Jack o' Lantern; #7824; 1 skein – sample used less than 100 yds/90 m

Yarn Characteristics
The sample shown uses a 2-ply fingering-weight wool; it's not a sock yarn, but rather a loftier and fluffier texture, spun loosely. The pattern works best with highly contrasting colors.

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 US #2/2.75mm circular needle, 16 inch/40 cm long, or size to obtain stockinette stitch gauge
1 US #4/3.5mm circular needle, 16 inch/40 cm long, or size to obtain colourwork gauge

Notions
stitch markers
yarn needle

GAUGE

32 stitches/48 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in single color stockinette stitch
32 stitches/36 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in stockinette stitch in pattern

PATTERN NOTES

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

Construction method: This scarf is knit in the round, then sewed together above the ruffled edge, leaving the edge free, and the scarf reversible.

On the needles: Because stranded colorwork pulls in more than plain stockinette stitch, you change to larger needles for the colorwork sections.

Fair Isle: photo tutorial | video tutorial

CHARTS

View and download CHARTS here

DIRECTIONS

With MC, and using smaller needle, cast on 126 stitches. Place marker and join for working in the round.

Border
Rounds 1-2: Knit.
Round 3: *K1, k2tog 3 times, [yo, k1] 5 times, yo, k2tog 3 times; repeat from * to end of round.
Round 4: Purl.
Repeat Rounds 1-4 once more, then work Rounds 1-2 again.

Decrease Round: *K5, k2tog, k4, k2tog, k5; repeat from * to end of round. 112 sts.
Next Round: Knit
Next Round: Purl.

This completes the border. This is where you'll sew the scarf together at each end after the scarf is completed. You'll begin the flower patterns here.

Pattern 1: Leaves
Join CC1 and change to larger needle.
Work Leaves Chart.
Break CC1 and change to smaller needle.

First plain section:
Knit 20 rounds.

Pattern 2: Daisy
Join CC1 and change to larger needle.
Work Daisy Chart Rounds 1-14 twice.
Break CC1 and change to smaller needle.

Plain section repeat:
Knit 30 rounds.

Pattern 3: Phlox and Blox
Join CC1 and change to larger needle.
Work Phlox and Blox Chart Rounds 1-16, then Rounds 1-15 once more.
Break CC1 and change to smaller needle.

Plain section repeat:
Knit 30 rounds.

Pattern 4: Heart Flower (Multiple of 18 stitches)
Join CC1 and change to larger needle.
Work Heart Flower Chart Rounds 1-18, then Rounds 1-17 once more.
Break CC1 and change to smaller needle.

Plain section repeat:
Knit 30 rounds.

Pattern 5: Ruby Marigold (Multiple of 26 stitches)
Join CC2 and change to larger needle.
Work Ruby Marigold Chart Rounds 1-46.
Break CC2 and change to smaller needle.

Plain section repeat:
Knit 30 rounds.

Pattern 6: Sunflower (multiple of 26 stitches)
Join CC3 and change to larger needle.
Work Ruby Marigold Chart Rounds 1-42.
Break CC3 and change to smaller needle.

Plain section repeat:
Knit 30 rounds.

From here, you will repeat the sequence, in the opposite order.

Repeat Pattern 6: Sunflower using larger needle.
Work a Plain section repeat using smaller needle.
Repeat Pattern 5: Ruby Marigold using larger needle.
Work a Plain section repeat using smaller needle.
Repeat Pattern 4: Heart Flower using larger needle.
Work a Plain section. repeat using smaller needle.
Repeat Pattern 3: Phlox and Blox using larger needle.
Work a Plain section repeat using smaller needle.
Repeat Pattern 2: Daisy using larger needle.
Work a Plain section repeat using smaller needle.
Repeat Pattern 1: Leaves using larger needle.

Second Border
Complete with MC and change to smaller needle.
Round 1: Purl.
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: * K6, m1, k4, m1, k6, repeat from * 7 times to end. 126 stitches.
Round 4: Knit.
Round 5: *K1, k2tog 3 times, [yo, k1] 5 times, yo, k2tog 3 times, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 6: Purl.
Rounds 7 and 8: Knit.
Round 9: Repeat Round 5.
Round 10: Purl.
Rounds 11 and 12: Knit.

Bind off using larger needle in your right hand to work the stitches, to ensure the edge is not too tight.

FINISHING

Weave in ends. Wash the scarf according to the washing instructions for the yarn, and lay flat to dry. To smooth the colorwork sections, you can lightly stretch them and pin them for drying, or apply some steam once the scarf is dry.

Once dry, sew the opening closed between the Border and the colorwork patterns as follows:
Fold the Border up, so that the wrong side of the last Border round is visible, and using MC, sew along the inside, working back and forth catching stitches from each side.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Sherril Steele-Carlin has been knitting since she learned in Home Economics in Jr. High School. She loves the color, texture, and challenge of knitting, and has a yarn hoard that threatens to take over her home.

She's a designer, test knitter, and owns a shop. She also has a Ravelry shop.

Pattern & images © 2024 Sherril Steele-Carlin