Got yardage? If you are into art yarns, this is always the first question you ask. Unless the spinner (you or your favorite yarnie) has a bulky flier, chunky skeins top out around 35 yds. It’s no mystery that bigger your needles, the less yardage you need to knit the same width and length of scarf. But just how far will your yarn go?

This simple but elegant scarf is designed to make the most of available yardage and artful “moments” in your yarn (see Lynne's article for tips on knitting with momentous yarns). I wrote the pattern in sections so you can mix and match them to meet your yarn and yardage needs. I’ve also included instructions for three different gauges/WPI with yardage counts to match. Approximate yardage is provided for each pattern section so you have a better handle on how far you can get with what you’ve got.

The Thruway section is a handy double keyhole which stylishly yet practically channels the scarf around your neck and holds it in place, so you feel cuddled and comfy in your creation.

SIZE
One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
6 inches wide and approx 77 inches long, without optional fringy embellishments.

MATERIALS

Note: For all versions, the Commercial Yarn Alternative can be purchased from handspinners online. See last paragraph in introduction above. Fiber Preparation + Drafting Method is described in detail in Lynne's article in this issue of Knittyspin.

MATERIALS

WPI 7 [shown in 1st and 2nd photo]:
wrapping ply
LV Ltd. Merino/Tussah [80% merino wool/20% tussah silk, color Black Hollyhocks]; color “Black Hollyhocks”; 4 oz.
core + binder plies
CJKoho 50% merino wool/50% tencel, color Cameron; 4 oz.

Finished Yarn:
Yardage used: 125


Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #13/9mm needles
A spare DPN of the same or similar size.

Finished Yarn:
Yardage used: 103


Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #15/10mm needles
A spare DPN of the same or similar size.

WPI 5 [shown in 3rd photo]:

fiber/yarn
Lucca Dot Yarn’s Super Chunky Spiral Plied handspun [There are so many fibers in this yarn that they can’t all be listed. Most handspun sellers call this “a little bit of everything”. It’s usually mostly wool.]; color: Man for all seasons.

Finished Yarn:
Yardage used: 80


Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
US #17/11mm needles
A spare DPN of the same or similar size.

GAUGE

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

To lengthen or shorten the scarf, remove a Block section or two, or eliminate 2-4 stockinette rows in each Block.

The samples as photographed are worked as follows:
1 Onramp
2 City Blocks
1 Speed Bumps
1 Thruway
4 City Blocks
1 Speed Bumps
1 Offramp

Sections:
Yardages for each section are approximate and generous because they allow for breaking and changing yarns. Knit with one continuous yarn and yardages will be less.

Onramp:
Yardage required: 22[17, 12] yards.

CO 2 sts.

Row 1 [RS]: K.

Row 2 [WS]: P.

Repeat the last 2 rows once more.

Row 5 [RS]: K1, m1, k to end.

Row 6 [WS]: P.

Repeat the last 2 rows 12[9, 6] more times, to 15[12, 9] sts.

Repeat Rows 1 & 2 once more.

City Block:
Yardage required: 11[9, 7] yards.

Knit 6 rows.
Row 7 [RS]: K.
Row 8 [WS]: P.
Repeat the last 2 rows 4[3, 2] more times.

Speed Bumps:
Yardage required: 4[4, 3.5] yards.

Knit 6 rows.

In this section, the row is divided into three panels and worked separately. Panel 2 has an extra row on purpose because it gets twisted before joining.

Row 1 [RS] K5[4,3], turn.
Knit 12[10,8] more rows.
Break yarn and leave sts on RH needle. Rejoin yarn to where you left off after Row 1.

Row 1 [RS] K5[4,3], turn.

Knit 13[11,9] more rows. 
Break yarn and slide sts onto dpn. Flip the panel over once and slide the stitches just worked to the right hand needle in reverse order to twist the panel. Leave all 10 [8, 6] sts live on RH needle.

Rejoin yarn to start of last 5[4,3] sts of row.

Row 1 [RS] K last 5[4,3] sts of row.
Knit 12[10,8] more rows. 

Final row [WS]: Knit across all 15[12, 9] sts to rejoin row.

Offramp:
Yardage required: 22[17, 12] yards.
Row 1 [RS]: K.
Row 2 [WS]: P.
Repeat the last 2 rows once more.

Row 3 [RS]: K2tog, k to end.
Row 4 [WS]: P.
Row 5 [RS]: K.
Row 6 [WS]: P.
Repeat the last 4 rows until 2 sts rem.
Final row [RS]: K2tog, cut yarn and pull it through final st to end.

M1: make one by casting on with backward loop cast on.
[Note: this is not the usual M1; this increase method leaves no hole, gives you a more flexible selvedge and is easier to work with heavy textured yarns]

Start with an Onramp and work City Blocks, Speed Bumps and Thruways as you wish, until you’ve just about run out of yarn. 

End with an Offramp.

FINISHING
To finish, weave in ends.

Feeling frou frou? Cut a few lengths of especially momentous yarn and thread them through the cast on row and tie with overhand knot. 

Or not.

Eat, sleep, spin, knit, (dye, crochet, weave, felt) usually with dog attached and hubby looking on.

You’ll find more of her patterns and her LV Ltd fiber and yarn:

• in her Etsy store
• on her blog
• on Ravelry: lizzydoone
• Facebook: Lynne Vogel Limited Editions
• Twitter: Lynne Vogel