Free Mohair Scarf Knitting Pattern: The Winter's End Scarf

This weekend I completed the final rows of my Winter's End scarf and proceeded to block the scarf right after it came off the needles. The Winter's End scarf is knitted with fine 3 ply lightweight mohair yarn. As the pattern is straightforward and simple, this was my in-between, go-to project for the past four months. 

Simple Mohair Knitting Pattern with a Technical Twist

The stitch pattern for the scarf is a simple 1x1 rib and to keep things interesting and achieve a unique look, this mohair scarf pattern incorporates a technical twist. In order to achieve the long chain of stitches and airy texture of the scarf, the project is knitted on needles of two different sizes, radically different sizes to be precise: 2mm and 8mm. 

Free Mohair Scarf Knitting Pattern 

For this reason, and even though the project is perfectly suitable for beginner knitters, the challenge lies not so much in the stitch pattern, but in its execution; i.e. staying in charge of the fuzzy yarn, whilst working the pattern on odd needles and showing them who is boss.

Free Mohair Scarf Knitting Pattern 

I enjoy working with superfine mohair and really appreciate the unique qualities of this type of yarn, but I am well aware that the fuzziness of the material can be a source of frustration. From my experience with mohair knits, the golden rule for working with this type of yarn is to cast on loosely and to ensure you do not knit tightly. (More information on this, is available here.) This advice holds true for all mohair knits, but is even more important when knitting with mohair on odd needles.  

For the Winter's End Scarf I used Yeoman's 3 ply Elsa ( 30% mohair 40% acrylic 30% nylon), which is a budget option when it comes to Mohair yarn. The pattern is equally suitable for similar yarns or more upmarket choices with a higher mohair component (such as Drops Kid Silk) or, if you are preferring the luxury option, those with an added silk component, i.e. Rowan Kid Silk Haze or Debbie Bliss Angel. 

Free Mohair Scarf Knitting Pattern 

Gauge is not important for this project and my scarf is designed to be 35 cm wide and 135 cm long, thus producing a generous, versatile piece that can be worn in a variety of ways, either wrapped around the neck several times to keep chills away, as an accessory draped loosely around the shoulders to show off the knitting or as a protective layer for the head, shielding you from the elements, whilst simultaneously covering your entire head without destroying the hairstyle underneath. 

For a narrower scarf, simply cast on fewer stitches, ensuring you cast-on an odd number of stitches. The length of the scarf can be adapted by measuring the scarf as you knit.

Free Mohair Scarf Knitting Pattern 

Round-Up: Works in Progress and Upcoming Patterns

It's been relatively quiet on the knitting front these past few weeks and despite my best efforts, I haven't been able to block my finished projects, including a bottom-up sweater (for which I haven't even taken photos due to a lack of daylight) and my Virga shawl, which I finished back in the summer.

Virga Shawl

The lack of blocking activity is largely a result of my blocking space for larger projects (the bed) being, it would seem, permanently occupied by Mietze.

Mietze one month after her unilateral thyroidectomy

Following her unilateral thyroidectomy back in September, Mietze has completely and permanently appropriated my bed; and with her thyroid levels having returned into the normal range, she now spends the best part of the day resting and lounging on my duvet.

Despite some initial and rather scary complications in the immediate aftermath of the procedure, Mietze is recovering well and it is, of course, not an option to remove her from her adopted resting space for now (or ever).

Mietze

As the year draws to a close and with winter solstice coming up in just a few weeks, I blame the remainder of my sluggishness on the current lack of daylight, which not only affects my productivity on the whole, but only leaves a very small window of time with sufficient light to take photos of finished projects. 

Nevertheless, I am currently working on a number of knitting projects, and this weekend I made good progress on a fingering-weight mohair shawl, which is knitted on needles with different circumferences, resulting in a uniquely textured fabric. 

I am hoping to release the pattern for the mohair shawl (no pattern name thus far) before the end of the year. As it happens, I might just meet this self-imposed deadline, as I do not need to block the shawl on the bed.

Fingering Weight Mohair Shawl 

Fingering Weight Mohair Shawl 

The Weekly Swatch: Pucker Cable Knit Stitch

This week I have prepared swatches showcasing the Pucker Cable Stitch. Despite its name, to knit the pattern you will not require a cable needle. The delicate texture is achieved through simple in- and decreases, the remainder of the stitches are either knitted or purled. 

This uncomplicated stitch works well with all types of yarns, even fuzzier, fingering-weight Mohair blends, as can be seen in the pictures below. 

Pucker Cable Stitch

Free Pattern - Picot Dress for Monster High Doll

As promised a little while ago, I have been busy designing another Monster High doll dress pattern. Originally, I just wanted to have a go at designing a jumper. I ended up knitting a few pieces before arriving at the final pattern and whilst working on the design, I got the idea to extend the jumper and made it into a dress, featuring a Picot border instead. Adding the Picot bind-off is optional and my pattern also gives you the option to knit a 2x2 ribbed yoke or work the yoke in plain stockinette stitch. 

For this project, I was playing around with different yarn options. The photographs show the dress knitted with both fingering weight mohair (Yeoman's Elsa, modelled by both Frankie and Madeline), 2ply dk weight (also Yeoman's) as well as 4ply sock yarn (Knitglobal). All of these yarn types are suitable without making any alterations to the pattern as such, but will give the finished dress a very different look and feel. 

Ever After High Cocktail Dress with Picot Border and Stockinette Yoke (Yarn Yeoman's 2 ply DK Weight)

The dress is designed for Monster High dolls approximately 25cm tall, but the design is also suitable for Ever After High Dolls, as is evidenced by Madeline. Please note the photos of the grey dress below show the dress unblocked. As soon as it's finished blocking, I will post an update with photos of the blocked dress and more in-depth information on my finishing techniques, including options for fastening the dress at the back.

Monster High Cocktail Dress with Picot Border and Stockinette Yoke (Yarn Yeoman's 2 ply DK Weight)

Monster High Cocktail Dress with Picot Border (Yarn Yeoman's 2 ply DK Weight)

Pattern Notes

Materials and Tools

• app 5 - 10g of: 4 ply Sock Yarn or 3 ply Mohair Fingering Weight or 2 ply DK Weight Yarn 

• 2 - 3mm Double-Pointed Needles 

• Scissors

• Safety Pin x2 

• Darning Needle or Sewing Needle (for sewing in ends) 

• For fastening the back of the dress: Button(s) / Hook and Eye Clap or Contrast Yarn

Monster High Doll Picot Maxi Dress

My new Monster High Picot Maxi Dress (designed for a 25cm Monster High Doll), has finished blocking. 

Time for a little outing and a few initial shots. 

Monster High Doll Picot Maxi Dress (Yarn: Yeoman's Elsa)

The Weekly Swatch: Lace Rib Knit Stitch

Cast-on loosely and don't knit tight - knitting lace with fingering weight mohair yarn

Wisp: Pattern by Cheryl Niamath (published in Knitty, Summer 2007), Yarn: Patons UK Misty

The Wisp Shawl pattern by Cheryl Niamath has somewhat turned into a classic lace knitting pattern and due to its simplicity it tends to attract many beginner lace knitters, who may never have used cobweb or fingering weight yarn in any of their projects before.

Though not my first lace project, I, too, opted for the pattern as I wanted to gain experience knitting lace with fingering weight yarn, whilst completing a relatively simple pattern. Niamath's Wisp fulfils these requirements and due to its straightforward stitch sequence, it allows you to concentrate on your manual ability and, above all, to get a feel for working with extremely fine yarn.