12 October 2012

Pink Friday

a narrower version

All the knitters and crocheters at my work are going nuts over the novelty yarn that stretches out into lace to be gathered quickly and easily into twirly scarves. Everyone seems to be making these trendy, speedy scarves, and I see a ton of them on train passengers every day, now that winter is setting in. These scarves are super simple, work up rapidly and don't take much yarn.

I really like the scarves, but they all look... well,... the same.

Ever since the first twirly scarf I saw, I wanted to make one with my own lace, my own design and yarn completely different than any ribbon yarn store-bought and ready-made. Yes, it takes longer this way, but the sense of accomplishment upon finishing is far more rewarding. The emotional satisfaction is similar to piecing a real quilt instead of stitching together a cheater quilt with ready-made panels, in my opinion.

I went through my stash and found three skeins of yarn with at least a degree of pink left over from socks and other projects I've made in the past, and I whipped up my first Contrary Mary scarf with a Gothic-flavored hand-dye. (Remember, one of my criteria for my Yellow-Teal-Pink Fridays project is not to purchase anything new. My goal is to use stash yarn or thread.)

The foundation row and first row of this pattern require some concentration, with continual counting and tedious repetition, but the basic mesh stitch that follows works up fast after the initial two rows. The final two rows are even speedier. The first two pattern rows took me two nights, and the mesh portion was worked up in two more nights. The final two rows were finished in about an hour.

Contary Mary Scarf

a wider version

You may do whatever you'd like with scarves you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!

Mary Contrary Scarf

Finished Size: approximately 3 inches wide before gathering, 4 yards long before gathering, and 3 feet long after gathering, depending upon personal preference
Materials: One 100-gram, 400-yard hank of fingering yarn (I used project leftovers of Goth Series Pink by Indieway Yarn on Etsy and still have a tiny bit of yarn leftover), size B crochet hook

NOTE: This scarf also may be worked with thread, lace-weight yarn, double-knit yarn or worsted weight yarn with the appropriate-sized hook.

Instructions

Foundation Row: Ch 3, * 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (shell made), ch 8, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 3, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook (picot made), ch 4, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 8, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 6; repeat from * for desired length, bearing in mind finished scarf will be less than one fourth the length of starting ch, omitting last ch 6 of final repeat and ending with ch 3, 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook; ch 2; turn. (I made my scarf 4 yards long before gathering.)

Row 1: Ch 2, *1 sc in middle of body of next dc shell, ch 3, 1 dc in next ch, ch 1, sk next ch, 1 tr in next ch, yo 2 times and draw up loop through middle of body of next dc, [yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 2 times, yo 3 times and draw up loop through middle of next sc (picot), [yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 3 times, yo 2 times and draw up loop through middle of body of next dc, [yo and draw through 2 loops on hook] 2 times, yo and draw through all 4 loops on hook (W made), ch 1, sk next 2 ch, 1 tr in next ch, sk next ch, ch 1, sk 1 ch, 1 dc in next ch, ch 3, 1 sc in middle of body of next dc shell, ch 3, 1 sc in middle ch of next ch 3, ch 3; repeat from * across; ch 6 and turn (ch 6 counts as 1 dc and ch 3 on next row).
Row 2: *Sk next 3 ch, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, 1 dc in top of next W, ch 3, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3, 1 dc in next dc, ch 3 1 dc in next sc, ch 3, 1 dc in next dc; repeat from * across; ch 6 and turn.
Rows 3-7: Sk 1st dc, *1 dc in next dc; ch 3; repeat from * across; 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 6 of previous row; ch 6 and turn.
Row 8: Sk 1st dc, *1 dc in next dc, ch 3; repeat from * across; 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 6 of Row 7; ch 3 and turn.
If desired, block now. Scarf also may be finger shaped before beginning gathering rows.
Row 9 (first gathering row): Sk 1st dc; 1 dc in each dc across; 1 dc in 3rd ch of starting ch 3 of Row 8; ch 1, turn.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.
Row 10: 1 sc in each of next 2 sc, *sk next sc, 1 sc in each of next 2 sc; repeat from * across; bind off. Weave in ends.
NOTE: For an even curlier scarf, work 1 sc, sk 2 sc across on Round 10 instead of above directions, but make sure scarf length before gathering will accommodate such a tight twirl, perhaps 6 yards long. For a wider scarf, work more mesh rows to desired width. For a skinnier scarf, work fewer mesh rows to desired width.

Ta da! You're done!

Mary Contrary Scarf

8 comments :

  1. Amazing pink....and a lovely roaring scarf!

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  2. Gorgeous!

    I love a) the yarns; b) that you worked your project from the outside in; c) that your instructions do not start with the words "Ch 5000"; and especially d) that you'd rather make your own than buy ready-made. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Sue! I have to tell you, I laughed so hard at ch 5000!!!

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  3. I have had the same feeling about those scarves. I think once I get afew other projects done up, I will be making me one of those scarves! YES! Something to go with my black, silk/wool sweater. Maybe purple???? Wow, I love it!

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    Replies
    1. Susan, I can't wait to see your purple version, and I hope you'll share a photo of you with the scarf complimenting your sweater!

      Delete
  4. What a beautiful scarf! Thanks for the pattern. Hope I can find time some day to try it!

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  5. I absolutely looooove this scarf and your site. But when I start Row 1...??? I've done it 4x and no matter what I do its not right. Do you have a video or more photos perhaps? Maybe step by step screen shots? I really want to make this but its just not making any sense for me. Thanks! Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I don't have anything more than what's posted here right now, Kendra, but I could try to help walk you through it if I knew what it is you're having difficulty with. I can do step-by-step shots, but it will be a while, maybe not until next month.

      Basically, you are working a single crochet into each shell, and working a decrease over the next few stitches between each shell to form a scalloped edge. Please let me know if this doesn't help, and I'll try to get step-by-step photos done as soon as I am able.

      Delete


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