Foliolum scarf: Knittyspin Spring+Summer 2013

by Joanna Johnson

"Foliolum," which is Latin for "leaflet" or "little leaf" seemed a most suitable name for this oversized scarf, worked in the "Little Leaf Stripe" lace pattern from Barbara Walker's first treasury.

As a beginning spinner, I was looking to explore new horizons with this project, one of which was working with Anzula's luxury yak blend, as I have mostly worked with just wool up until this point.

I will confess that my first few attempts were not very successful, so I asked advice from a friend who has been spinning for several years. She explained that because the yak fibers are much shorter than the merino, I needed to work closer to the wheel. You see, I usually keep my hands fairly low (near my right hip) while I spin, which was not going to work this time around.

After playing around with a few different styles, I found that if I worked a "wrist-to-elbow's length" away from the wheel, I was able to create a lovely springy 2-ply yarn from this scrumptious fiber. Also, I wanted to experiment with crocheting with handspun yarn, which I used to create a simple edging for the scarf.

Foliolum is large enough to be worn as a shawl and suitable for warmer spring weather. I am encouraged to see where this "little leaf" -- my new passion for spinning -- takes me in future seasons.

model: Yvette Lehman

photos: Christa Tippmann


SIZE One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Width: 12 inches
Length: 80 inches

MATERIALS
Fiber:
Anzula [50% yak, 50% merino; 4 ounces combed top]; color: Ocean; 8 ounces.

Finished Yarn:
Wraps per inch: 16
Ply: 2
Yardage used: 595

Spinning Tool: Ashford/Traveler; scotch tension
Niddy Noddy: Ashford, 1.5m/5 ft skein

Drafting Method:
Short forward draw

Commercial Yarn Alternative
Bijou Spun Bijou Bliss [50% yak, 50% cormo wool; 150 yd/137m per 56g skein]; color: Sky; 4 skeins

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 set US 4/3.5mm straight or circular needles
1 size E-4/3.5 crochet hook

Tools
yarn needle

GAUGE
22 sts/36 rows =
4 inches in stockinette stitch after blocking

20 sts/34 rows =
4 inches in pattern stitch after blocking

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

This oversized lace scarf is worked from end to end in a simple four-row lace repeat. The crochet edge is worked last.

The pattern works well with a variety of weights and textures of yarn so it is a great project for experiementing with new fibers and spinning techniques.

RLI (Right Lifted Increase): Insert the right needle into the stitch below the next stitch on the left needle. Pick up this stitch and place it on the left needle, then knit into it. 1 stitch has been increased.

SK2P: Slip 1 st as if to knit, k2tog, pass the slipped stitch over the stitch just knit.

Instructions for basic crochet stitches can be found here

DIRECTIONS
CO 76 sts.

Row 1 [RS]: Knit.

Row 2 [WS]: Purl.

Repeat Rows 1-2 5 more times.

Decrease row [RS]: [K2, k2tog] 19 times. 57 sts rem.

Knit 1 row.

Begin working four-row Little Leaf pattern:
Row 1 [RS]: K1, [k2tog, YO, k3, YO, SSK, k1] 7 times.

Row 2 [WS]: Purl.

Row 3 [RS]: K3, [yo, SK2P, YO, k5] 6 times, yo, SK2P, yo, k3.

Row 4 [WS]: Purl.

Work this four-row lace pattern for 74 inches or to desired length.

Knit 2 rows.

Upper Edging
Increase row: [K2, RLI, k1] 19 times. 76 sts.

Row 1 [WS]: Purl.

Row 2 [RS]: Knit.

Repeat Rows 1-2 5 more times.
BO all sts.

Crochet Edging
With WS facing, join yarn at right side of CO edge, and SC in each edge st. 76 sts.

Turn.
Work scallop edge across as follows: [5 DC in one st, sk 1 st, SC in next st, sk next st] repeat across edge, ending with a 5 DC in one st.

Repeat across other end.

FINISHING
Weave in ends and block.

ABOUT THE DESIGNER

Joanna is the author and pattern designer of storybooks Phoebe's Sweater, Phoebe's Birthday, and Freddie's Blanket, which are illustrated by her husband, Eric. The couple runs Slate Falls Press, their indie-publishing company, from their home studios in Loveland, Colorado, where they live with their three children.

Joanna's work has been published in Jane Austen Knits, Piecework, Knitting Traditions, and Spin-Off magazines. She once insisted she had "no time for spinning," but is now found at the wheel as often as possible.