Simple Lace Scarf and Hat

This is another project that was created in less than a week, similarly to my Raspberry Scarf and Mittens. It was Saturday before Christmas and I still didn’t have a present for one of the guests that were coming over to celebrate Christmas with us. With temperatures approaching freezing (yes, it is considered very cold where we are) I was thinking of getting something warm as a present: down slippers, a fleece blanket, a hat and scarf set… Checking out my options at the store and looking through the meager selection of warm clothing it had I realize that I can actually make the said hat and scarf, and they will be better than anything stores could offer.  The only problem was the time, but I thought I could pull it off with a simple enough pattern (thank you Knitting Daily for an inspiring simple lace scarf that made it easy). And that’s how this set was created.

Yarn and Needles

Depending on how long a scarf you want, you may need less or more yarn. For a 12 inches by 5 feet scarf and a medium size hat you will need:

• 3 skeins of Patons Classic Merino Wool – 3.5 oz/100 gr or 223 yds/204 m each
• Needles US size 6 for the scarf
• 5 double-pointed needles US size 6 for the hat

Gauge

20 stitches x 26 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches)

Patterns and Process

For the scarf, I used the simple one-row lace pattern borrowed from the Spectrum Scarf featured on Knitting Daily. For the hat, I used the same diagonal lace pattern as in the Raspberry Scarf and Mittens.

Scarf pattern:

• Row 1: k3, *p1, yo, k2tog through the front of the loops* repeat from * to * 15 times, k3

Cast on 51 stitches. Work 5 rows in Garter Stitch (knit all stitches). Repeat row 1 of the pattern till the scarf is a desired length. Finish with 5 rows of garter stitch. Block the scarf if needed.

Hat pattern (in the round):

• Round 1: move the first stitch on the left needle over to the right needle without knitting, *yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1* repeat form * to * 11 times
• Round 2: knit all stitches

Note: to do the “sl1, k1, psso” combo, slip the first stitch, knit the next stitch, and slide the knitted stitch through the slipped stitch.

Cast on 90 stitches (make sure the number is divisible by 15 – by 3 for the pattern and by 5 for shaping the crown). Distribute the stitches over 4 needles

Work  the first 10 rounds in garter stitch (alternating purl and knit rounds). Continue in pattern established in rounds 1-2 as follows:

• Set-up round 1: *yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1* repeat from * to * 30 times
• Set-up round 2: knit all stitches
• Rounds 1-24: repeat rounds 1-2 of the pattern 30 times
• Round 25 (reduce 5 stitches): move the first stitch on the left needle over to the right needle without knitting, [*yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1* repeat form * to * 6 times, sl1, k1, psso, k1] repeat 5 times
• Round 26: knit all stitches
• Round 27 (reduce 5 stitches): move the first stitch on the left needle over to the right needle without knitting, [*yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1* repeat form * to * 5 times, yo, sl1, k1, psso, sl1, k1, psso, k1] repeat 5 times
• Round 28: knit all stitches
• Round 29 (reduce 5 stitches): move the first stitch on the left needle over to the right needle without knitting, [*yo, sl1, k1, psso, k1* repeat form * to * 5 times, yo, sl1, k1, psso, sl1, k1, psso] repeat 5 time
• Round 30: knit all stitches
• Rounds 31-36: same as rounds 27-30, except for repeating the pattern on each needle 5-4-4 times instead of 7-6-6 times in odd rounds
• Rounds 37-42: same as rounds 27-30, except for repeating the pattern on each needle 4-3-3 times instead of 7-6-6 times in odd rounds
• Rounds 43-48: same as rounds 27-30, except for repeating the pattern on each needle 3-2-2 times instead of 7-6-6 times in odd rounds
• Rounds 49-54: same as rounds 27-30, except for repeating the pattern on each needle 2-1-1 times instead of 7-6-6 times in odd rounds
• Round 55 (reduce 7 stitches): [sl1, k1, psso] 7 times, k1

Cut the yarn and pull it though the 8 remaining stitches. Tuck it in inside the hat.