When I decided to knit a gift with only three weeks to go and a lot of other crafty commitments, I knew I’d need a quick stitch pattern that looked complex but could be knitted a few stitches at a time while I worked on other things!
To complicate matters, I was bound and determined to use Madelinetosh Pashmina, a sportweight yarn. Thin yarn = more knitting time, right?
After a few false starts, I settled on feather and fan, a deceptively simple lace pattern that has been used for probably as long as yarn has been made into fabric using two needles. Also known as old shale lace, decreases and yarn-over increases combine to create a wavy fabric.
Here’s the set-up. It’s going to take the very tiniest amount of math.
Step One: Choose an even number of stitches; I chose six.
Step Two: Multiply that number by three; I get 18. This is your repeat, and you can increase by this number as many times as needed to get your desired width. I multiplied by two, for 36 stitches.
Step Three: If knitting flat, add selvedge stitches so the edges lie flat; I added two stitches on each side for a total of 40 stitches.
Now you’re ready to go!
Step Four: Using needles a few sizes larger than recommended for your yarn (I used US #6), cast on and knit a border of your choice; I knitted four rows in reverse stockinette.
Step Five: Work this four-row repeat to desired length. All numbers are specific to my chosen pattern repeat, and can be adjusted as needed. If working in the round, substitute knit for purl and purl for knit on rows 2, 3, and 4. *Note: selvedge stitches should be worked in garter stitch (knit every row).
Row 1: k2tog 3 times, yo k1 6 times, ssk 3 times.
Row 2: purl
Row 3: knit
Row 4: knit
That’s all there is to it! After the first couple of repeats, I was able to work on this scarf while watching TV, playing with my kids, and talking to customers in the shop.
*Note: my scarf is knitted in the Pashmina colorway ‘Briar’ which is pictured second from left above. The first photo looks darker because it is backlit.
Enjoy!
-Annika
