Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Houndstooth scarf pattern

Okay, I figured out how to get this posted on Ravelry, but might as well have it here as well :)

Click here to download the PDF


(Note: I really don't update here anymore. I get quite a few questions about this pattern, but rarely am able to get to them anymore. I haven't knitted this in so long that it's hard for me to answer. I'll do my best, but I make no guarantees.)
Houndstooth Scarf
Designed by Eve Self



This is a pretty easy scarf but the result is stunning. I’ve had people stop me on the street and ask where they could buy one. It’s also a very thick scarf since it’s knit in the round. I used what I had on hand to make this scarf, but if you used a more luxurious yarn, this would be downright decadent! There are so many variations that could be made to this and I’d love to see what everyone comes up with. I was very pleasantly surprised by the number of people who asked for this pattern. So, by popular demand (!) here it is:
Materials needed:
2 skeins I love this Yarn! (from Hobby Lobby) in Cream (MC)
Just one skein and a teensy bit of the second are used
Any worsted weight will be fine, but make it something soft.
1 skein I Love this Yarn! In black (CC)
Size 8 circular needle or DPNs
Crochet hook (for attaching fringe)
Gauge isn’t critical here. My finished scarf is roughly 6” X 6’ excluding fringe.
With MC, cast on 58 stitches
1. (P1, K28) twice. Making sure your work isn’t twisted, join in the round.
2. (P1, K28) twice
3. {MC P1, (K2, CC K1, MC K1) X7} twice
4. {MC P1, (CC K3, MC K1) X7} twice
5. {MC P1, (K1, CC K3) X7} twice
6. {MC P1, (MC K1, CC K1, MC K2) X7} twice
Repeat rows 3 through 6 29 more times. Cut CC (or for a different look, cut MC and do ribbing in CC. You might need more than one skein if you do.)
Ribbing:
{(P1, K3) X7, P1} twice
Work this row 49 more times
1. {MC P1, (MC K1, CC K1, MC K2) X7} twice
2. {MC P1, (K1, CC K3) X7} twice
3. {MC P1, (CC K3, MC K1) X7} twice
4. {MC P1, (K2, CC K1, MC K1) X7} twice
5. (P1, K28) twice
6. (P1, K28) twice
Bind off.
Fringe:
Cut 56 strands of each color. Using crochet hook, pull one strand of each color through corresponding stitches on front and back of scarf to make a loop. Pull ends of strands through loop to knot. I find it works well to tie a knot at the ends of each strand. This adds a tiny bit of weight to the end and makes it hang better as well as keeping it from unraveling as quickly.

Copyright of this pattern is mine. All I ask is that if you make them to sell, give me some credit somehow. If you wanted to send me a buck or two that would be all right, too ;)

23 comments:

Gina said...

This is so awesome! Thank you so much for posting the pattern. Will be making a bunch of these for Christmas gifts!

I adore houndstooth and this is THE BEST knitted houndtooth I've ever seen.

You're a doll!

Anonymous said...

This is perfect. I've been looking for a pattern like this forever.
Thanks so much.

Cheryl said...

Thank you both so much for your kind words! I love houndstooth, too and somehow this pattern just worked out. I think it has a nicely sophisticated flair (even made with the cheap acrylic yarn I used). If you encounter any problems with the pattern, PLEASE let me know so I can fix it!

~Eve

Unknown said...

I want to experiment with swatches of 2 different colors at a time, Then I'll pick which is best...And I agree about I love that yarn from hobby Lobby, nice and soft...Thank you for sharing your pattern ; . )

Cheryl said...

I'm always thrilled to hear from people who like my patterns! And I'd love to see pictures when you're finished!
I actually got criticism on Ravelry from some people for using such inexpensive (or "cheap" to use their word) yarn instead of actual wool or something pricier. Wool scarves hurt my neck and, well, a nice soft yarn is, to me, a nice soft yarn no matter what the fiber content or the label or the price. I just don't understand yarn snobs.

Happy Knitting,
~eve

Gail said...

I am in the process of knitting your houndstooth scarf. I have knitted 15 rows of the repeat rows 3 thru 6 29 times and my scarf is only 11" long. Is 29 correct? I am using size 8 circular needle and I Love This Yarn from Hobby Lobby. There is no way my scarf will be 6 feet long by repeating only 29 times. Please send me an email t msgail2granny@yahoo.com. Thanks!

Cheryl said...

Your gauge is probably just different than mine. Just continue the houndstooth pattern until the scarf measures 1/2 the length you want minus ~6" (for half the ribbing). For a 6' scarf this would be 30". For me, this was 30 sets of the pattern repeat on each side. For you it sounds like it might be 40 or so. Do whatever works for you; nothing here is set in stone.

Anonymous said...

It is useful to try everything in practise anyway and I like that here it's always possible to find something new. :)

Anonymous said...

Love your scarf! Was wondering is the needle size 8mm or 8 US. Thanks, Carolin

Jenn said...

I love Houndstooth, this is just the pattern I was looking for, something nice and thick to keep me warm..thanks so much for sharing..

CaroleLR said...

Help! I'm anxious to knit this but what does the back look like since you use 2 different colors? I LOVE houndstooth & want to knit several of these for Christmas. I looked here & on your Ravelry to see if I could message you without luck.
thank you for your help!

Cheryl said...

Carole,
This scarf is knit in the round, so all the messy back side stuff is hidden in the middle. Also makes it very thick and warm. :)

AudreyB said...

I'm anxious to make this scarf for my daughter for Christmas in her college's colors. Thank you for this pattern. If I'm successful, my daughter will have a college-themed scarf like no one elses!

Cheryl said...

Glad you like the pattern, AudreyB! I've gotten a lot of compliments on it on Ravelry. Once you get the hang of the pattern, it goes pretty quickly and is, in my opinion, a fun knit. Hope you think so too!

Cristina said...

I just finished my scarf today! THANK YOU so much for creating and posting this great pattern, it turned out really well.

Picture of the finished scarf here:
http://sewloca.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/brr.jpg

-Cristina

Unknown said...

Hi I love thiss pattern it is so stylish, I have about 6 inches done but where you have white in your pattern mine is black. I need to start over but do you have any suggestions to keep this from happening again? I love the original so much and the white on black doesnt look as sophesticated as the black on white does.

Cheryl said...

Thanks, Alyssa! My only suggestion would be to make sure to use white as your main color and black as your contrast color. Also, this link talks about yarn color dominance and may help. Hope this helps!
http://knittingincolor.blogspot.com/2010/04/mysteries-of-yarn-dominance.html

orange sugar said...

I'm somewhat new to knitting, can someone explain how this is knit in the round when it is a flat scarf? Do you mean on circular needles?

Cheryl said...

Yes, orange sugar, it is knit on circular needles. Knitting "in the round," as opposed to flat knitting, refers to using circular or double pointed needles. It's called that, I think, because you're not knitting back and forth and making a flat piece, but in circles (really, a spiral.) I chose to design the scarf this way so that there would be no wrong side where the color changes from the yarn showed.
Hope this helps!

Chriswick said...

I love this pattern however, I don't understand. It says start with MC- Creme- and then on row 3- shows the CC color-black starts. So do you start with both strands of yarn, creme and black? Not sure how to attach on row 3. I am beginner and any suggestions would help. Thanks again, I would love to try and make this.

Unknown said...

I love this pattern. I am making it with a mink yarn which is so soft. I had to add more stitches for the right size so just repeating the pattern 3 times instead of 2x on each row. The only problem I am having is at the end of each of the sequence it is not adding up correctly. Am I doing this right? Row 3 for example - MCP1, repeat the K2, CC K1,MC K1 7X then do I end with the MC P1? I have 3 stitches left? Thanks so much!

Cheryl said...

Chriswick,

Thanks for the interest in the pattern. I'm sorry it's taken me so long to get back to you, but this blog isn't really active anymore. Yes, you attach the black yarn on row 3. Please google for instructions on how to attach yarn.

Cheryl said...

Lynda,

The mink yarn sounds lovely! It's been so long since I've made this pattern that I'm having trouble visualizing your problem. How many stitches did you add? The round should begin with the MC P1, then there should be one half way through the round.These act as fake seams on either edge once the scarf is laid flat. If you want to add another set of the houndstooth pattern, it will be in a multiple of 4 and is only the part in parentheses. I hope this makes sense.