Length: 61 inches (excluding fringe)
Width: 2.5 inches

20 sts/28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
12 sts/32 rows = 4 inches in pattern stitch, after blocking

The piece is worked flat, wet blocked, and then seamed along its length before being finished with knotted fringes at each short end.

Casting on: This piece requires firm blocking (such as is normally employed on knitted lace) in order to bring the fabric to its final appearance and dimensions. It is therefore vital that the CO and BO be done loosely. I recommend using needles 2 sizes larger than the pattern requires for both. Alternatively, CO using the long-tail method over both needles held together in the right hand.

Yarnover at beginning of row: Bring the working yarn from front to back over the right needle before working the next stitch.

Joining a new color: Mrs. Gaugain calls for the knitter to “tie on” a new color when it is introduced on a RS row. I prefer, instead, to thread the strand of the new color onto a yarn needle and weave it lightly into the WS of the fabric near the edge of the work, so that the first maneuver of the row (a yarnover, because of the pattern stitch) can be performed. This initial weaving can be neatened up during the finishing process.

Carrying Unused Colors While Striping: Mrs. Gaugain is mum on the subject of what to do with the unused color while working the stripes at either end of the faucett.  As each stripe is 12 rows deep, simply letting it hang is unsatisfactory.

You could break each color as the stripe ends, leaving a tail, and join in the new color; but that will create a lot of loose ends to weave in. I prefer to leave the unused yarn attached, and pick up the working yarn from underneath it at the beginning of each RS row. This traps the unused yarn against the selvedge, and as the piece progresses the extra color will more or less disappear into the fabric. When it’s time to switch colors again, the new yarn will be exactly where it needs to be.

Information on blocking can be found here.

Information on mattress stitch can be found here.

A guide to making knotted fringe is available here.

Historic sizing: The original pattern calls for both of its variations to be worked to a total length (excluding fringes) of three-quarters of a yard, or approximately 27 inches.

Historic colors: The original pattern, which calls for Berlin wool (substitute fingering weight yarn), suggests Albert blue (a bright, rich blue somewhere between royal and lapis lazuli) with stripes of “fire colour”–presumably reddish-orange.

Historic variation: Mrs Gaugain offers a finer version of the pattern, worked in Berlin embroidery silk (as a substitute, try a silk or silk-blend two-ply lace weight). Using needle approximately size US4 or 5, CO 30 sts and follow pattern as written. Suggested colors are pink with white stripes and fringe, or all black. Block the finished piece to three inches wide, but do not seam.

First Stripe Section:
Row 1: [YO, sl 1, k2tog] to end.
See Pattern Notes for a tip on working the yo at the start of the row.

Work Row 1 11 more times.

See Pattern Notes for tips on joining the yarn and handling the color change.

Row 13 [RS]: With MC, yo, sl 1, k2tog. With CC, [yo, sl 1, k2tog] to end.

Optional: Break MC.

Work 11 more rows in pattern stitch with CC.

Row 25 [RS]: With CC, yo, sl 1, k2tog. With MC, [yo, sl 1, k2tog] to end.

Optional: Break CC.

Work 11 more rows in pattern stitch with MC.

Repeat Rows 13-36 once more, and Rows 13-24 again. 3 MC stripes, 3 CC stripes.

Break CC, leaving 6 inch tail.

Plain Section:
With MC only, work in pattern stitch until piece is approx 54 inches long.

Second Stripe Section:
Work Rows 13-36 of First Stripe Section 3 times.

BO loosely (see Pattern Notes).

FINISHING
Soak and firmly block piece, taking care to pin out with straight sides (blocking wires will be extremely helpful) and even width from end to end. Blocked width will be between 5 and 6 inches, depending upon your gauge and fiber.

When dry, weave in ends. Fold long selvedges to lengthwise center, and use mattress stitch to seam selvedges together; piece will now be a long, flat tube with open ends.

Using eight 7-inch lengths of CC, finish short edges with fringe, knotted or not according to your preference.