In the Apple Scarf and Pear Scarf pattern, I use a the ‘double sided intarsia’ technique. This is a technique that I think I came up with myself, so if you do know of an existing technique please let me know. In this written tutorial I teach you how to do the technique. It combines both intarsia colourwork, as well as stranded colourwork, which pulls the two sides of the scarf together.
In this video and written tutorial I reference the following colourchart. You will need 3.5mm needles, and corresponding yarn in 3 colours.
Step-by-step instructions
The chart is an intarsia colour chart, with one difference. The chart is divided into two sides of the scarf.
The scarf will be worked in the round, just like a sleeve or a sock, with the needles in magic loop. This means sts 1 through 21 will be on one side of the needle, and sts 22 through 42 will be on the other side of the needle. This means that the chart always has a ‘front’ and a ‘back’, even though each round is visualized on one row of the chart.
That means that in this chart, the green line represents where the ‘fold’ in the scarf is. The other fold is at the sides of the chart.
←———this is the backside ————>|←——–this is the frontside ———->
Swatching
Now, we will swatch. Please watch the tutorial first.
- Using your 3.5mm needles and the navy yarn, cast on 21 sts on each needle using Judy’s magic cast on technique. There are a total of 42 sts on the needles.
- While working magic loop, knit the first 4 rounds in navy. Keep the ‘fold’ of the scarf in the same spot always.
- Starting from row 5, incorporate the other colours like shown in the chart:
- Knit 6 sts in navy.
- Add a strand of red yarn, knit 8 sts in red.
- Then, incorporate a second strand of navy yarn, to knit the last 7 sts on this side of the scarf.
- Slide the work to the other side of the needle, so that you can knit the back.
- Knit the first 7 sts on this side with the same strand of navy yarn you used in step 3c.
- Pick up the strand of red yarn that is still attached to the other side of the work. You DO NOT add another strand of red yarn. Knit 8 sts in red.
- Pick up the navy yarn you used for step 3a. DO NOT add another strand of navy. Knit 6 sts.
- You have now knit one round of colourwork, and by using the same strands for the front and the back, you see that the sides of the scarf are attached. This makes the scarf flat.
- Work the rest of the chart with this colour technique. Summarized, keep this in mind:
- You always add a new strand of yarn if the same colour yarn is used multiple times on one side of the scarf.
- But you DON’T incorporate a new strand for the mirroring side of the scarf. You just use the strands from the ‘back’ needle again.
- When you reach the end of the chart, use the kitchener stitch to close off your scarf.
- Wash and block your swatch.
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