Sunday, December 13, 2009

Malabrigo weave scarf

This one was a long time coming.

basketweave3
Some Malabrigo goodness for me. This sat in my office knitting basket for quite a long time, progressing slowly as I stole a few furtive stitches here and there during lunch break.

I became quite proficient at cabling without a cable needle on this one. The fuzziness of the Malabrigo means the stitches want to stay put, making the job a whole lot easier.

basketweave1

I took the pattern out of one of my stitch dictionaries. Here's what I did if you would like to knit your own. It's dead easy:


Malabrigo Weave Scarf


Yarn: 4-5 skeins of Malabrigo Worsted, seen here in Grey Pearl (I used 5 skeins, because I wanted an extra long scarf, but 4 would be more than enough for an average length scarf.)
Needles: 6 mm, or whatever size gives you a pleasing fabric. I'm not specifying gauge here, because it's not crucial.

Cables:
4CF: put next 2 stitches on cable needle, bring to front, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle
4CB: put next 2 stitches on cable needle, bring to back, knit next 2 stitches, then knit 2 stitches from cable needle

Instructions:
Cast-on 46 stitches (or a multiple of 4+2)

Row 1(RS): K2, *4CF (repeat * to end)
Row 2(WS): Purl to end
Row 3: *4CB (repeat * to last 2 sts), K2
Row 4: Purl to end

Keep going till you get the desired length. I didn't want to add a fringe, but that means that my edges curl a bit, which is ok, because I wear it looped around my neck with the edges tucked under (the giant cowl look). You might want to add a fringe, or start with a garter band to flatten the ends.

basketweave2

More info on the pattern can be found here on Ravelry. I'll try and write it up as a PDF over the Christmas holidays. Let me know if you end up making one. I'd love to see!

31 comments:

  1. you are the best knitter ever...always so stylish :)

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  2. Hi, Nicole,

    The scarf looks amazing. I'm pretty new to knitting, in fact I have no knowledge in this area at all. I'm considering knitting a scarf like this for my boyfriend as Christmas gift. But I don't understand at all your instruction. Do you think it is possible to post some drawings or a short video of how to do it?

    I will bookmark your blog and come back once in a while

    Best regards,

    Carmen

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    Replies
    1. Row 1 knit First 2 STS then s
      Take Stitch holder slip Next two STS on your STitch holderand put in to your Chest knit Two STS in your Needles then knit the Tie in your sts Bilder onve you so this a few Time it will come Easy to you...4cb is taking the Two STS and Holding them Away from you wileyou knit the STS on your nreedle

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    2. Row 1 knit First 2 STS then s
      Take Stitch holder slip Next two STS on your STitch holderand put in to your Chest knit Two STS in your Needles then knit the Tie in your sts Bilder onve you so this a few Time it will come Easy to you...4cb is taking the Two STS and Holding them Away from you wileyou knit the STS on your nreedle

      Delete
  3. Hi Carmen,
    This type of project is quite easy, once you get the basics of how to do cables. I'm not equipped to make videos, and don't think my drawing skills would help you much. But there are tons of videos on youtube that show how to make cables. This one for instance:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPTG8u7zRm4

    Good luck and have fun!

    Nicole

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  4. Hi, Nicole,

    Thank you for your reply!

    I will go buy all the stuff I need and start knitting soon. :D

    Cheers,

    Carmen

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  5. Dear Nicole,

    I've figured out how to do it!! Couldn't imagine it. I did not even know how to cast on the stitches..

    One more question. Is yours a loop scarf?

    Cheers,

    Carmen

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  6. Bonjour Nicole
    j'adore the look of this stitch!
    I bought a yarn to make this scarf.
    I'm reading your instructions and I don't understand how you do C4F and C4B without a cable needle. Do you just leave the 2 st on the left needle and work the next 2 st first?
    Merci d'avance,
    Leila

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  7. Hi Leila,
    There are several ways of working cables without a cable needle. Here's a video link that shows the technique that I use:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n_NNa8eORjE

    Happy knitting!

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  8. Hi!
    I'm totally lost. Don't know where I left a request a little bit ago. I was hoping you would be writing the instructions for the Malabrigo weave scarf in pdf(?) format so it can be printed. It's such a lovely stitch and the color yarn you chose really brings out the stitch detail. You sound very busy and I thank you in advance for taking the time to read my request.
    (I just love the picture of the beautiful, beautiful tree.205

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  9. Do you have instructions on how to turn this stitch pattern into one used for something in the round?

    I just love the pattern!

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  10. Hi Anna,
    I'm sorry, I don't have instructions on how to knit this in the round, however, I have made a loop-style cowl by doing a provisional cast-on and then grafting the ends. It worked really well and was barely visible.

    Happy knitting!

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  11. This stich would make a beautiful baby blanket! Nice scarf too. ;)

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  12. so you did this on straight needles and not circular? could it be modified? love this sweet little pattern :)

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  13. I will wait for the pdf file. It'll be easier than copying one line at a time to a Word file.

    I can't stand a cowl around my neck, but this scarf would work since I can grab an end and loosen it when needed.

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  14. For SHaron H
    If you are using word, it is very easy to highlight, copy and past the pattern instructions with the pictures into a blank WOrd document - very quick and easy; no need to wait for a pdf
    Jane

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  15. Hello.
    Thats a beauty ful scarf Nicole. :)
    If one would want to do the pattern on circular needles you just mak sure your stitches can be divided in 4 and knit the row which is purled when you use straight needles.
    Happy knitting :)

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  16. I love this Scarf and cables anyway. This pattern should be done with bigger needles because it is very tense. By using bigger needles you loosen up the stitch and the created fabric will be very soft. .. It can also be done with more than 2 stitches for the cable. .. Just a hint. .

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  17. Thank you for the free pattern! This afternoon i startet knitting and it is (after translation) not so difficult indeed. Greetings from Holland!
    Janneke

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  18. Nicole,
    Please tell me how long you're scarf is.
    Thank you,
    Renee

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  19. Hi Renee,
    I wish I could tell you, but I lost it. It was pretty long, enough to loop around twice.

    Happy knitting.

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  20. Why is it a purl on the returns rather than a knit? I'm a little confused.

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  21. This is a beautiful pattern. I want to adaptit a little to create a scarf with buttons at one end. How would you recommend creating button holes in this pattern?

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  22. This is a stunning pattern! I would like to knit this in 2 colours to get that Chanel tweed type look. Any suggestions on how to do this? I tried a couple of different ways without success. Much appreciated.

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  23. Beautiful pattern! I'm working on something very similar as a cowl — a diagonal basketweave pattern in a beautiful aquamarine Malabrigo, using a cable needle. The basketweave pattern on the right side will be the only visible part once the cowl is joined. The opposite side isn't very interesting, I'm afraid. How does the wrong side appear in your scarf version? And are you doing any sort of selvedge?

    I'm eager to try this as a scarf!

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  24. I started this scarf several days ago. I experimented with different needle sizes starting with a 6, then tried an 8 and a 9, and ended up with a 10. It was just too tight with a smaller needle - not only was it hard to knit but the fabric felt stiff and wouldn't have been very comfortable. I'm using a worsted weight yarn, but it's on the thicker side. I don't have much of the scarf done yet, but it sure is beautiful! I might try to make a matching hat with this pattern around the brim and just a plain knit as I approach the top. Thank you so much for the pattern!

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  25. Yes, it looks to lush/complicated; I try to use different stitches when I make a sweater and this looks great but is not complicated at all. Thanks, Kathleen

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  26. It's a wonderful way to be updated and active. People can see what is your activity and what you were doing recently. I think it's one of those new media on Internet.

    Scarf Manufacturer in India

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  27. Hello, I just started knitting so bear with me, lol. When I go from Row 2 to Row 3 do I switch back from the wrong side to the right side?


    Row 1(RS): K2, *4CF (repeat * to end)
    Row 2(WS): Purl to end
    Row 3: *4CB (repeat * to last 2 sts), K2
    Row 4: Purl to end

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  28. Very pretty and easy to understand. I'm going to have to try this one, thanks for posting the free pattern.

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  29. Do you know how I could do this with two colors? Would you just put two together? I would just like a speckled look with this pattern.

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Merci, my sweeties, for taking the time to leave a comment!