The Knitter's Gazebo: Vertical Edging Makes the Squiggle Scarf

Dec 16, 2011
Donna W. Hill

Squiggle Scarf with Mom Hill's Rag Doll - Photo by Rich Hill

Learn how to knit fancy edgings as vertical sides on any pattern. The author shares her original Squiggle scarf pattern.

Sometimes, a knitter just doesn't want to make another scarf with fringe. Not that there's anything wrong with that. Other options exist -- edgings, for instance. Edgings are narrow designs with scallops or peaks up one side. Knit in long strips, they are often sewn along their plain edge onto finished pieces. They make fancy hems on skirts, shawls and pillowcases. They can also be knit seamlessly into a fabric.

Knitted-in Edgings

Several things must be considered when designing a piece with two vertical edgings. For reversible pieces like scarves, the edging itself must be reversible or at least look good on both sides. The knitter also needs to know which side of the edging is meant to be toward the outside.

Also, since the edging must connect with the main pattern with its fancy side out, one side will have to start before the other. You would need to keep track of 3 different rows for each row of knitting, so don't make the mistake of trying to flip back and forth between patterns. If you're going to design your own scarf with edgings, it's best to write it out.

Row count is critical. If your edging is a four-row pattern, you're main pattern should be a multiple of four rows. A simple two-row pattern also works. If you want to use a main pattern with six rows, you need to find an edging that works with that. A four-row edging, for instance, could be used three times over two repeats of a six-row main pattern.

Knitted Squiggle Scarf

The main pattern for this scarf is Seaweed from Barbara G. Walker's A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns (Schoolhouse Press 1997, p10). The vertical edges are Loop Edging (2nd TKP, p367). The Loop edging is a four-row pattern and the Seaweed pattern covers twelve rows. There are three repeats of the edging for each repeat of the main pattern.

Both sides of the Seaweed pattern, although they are quite different, work well as the right side. Right-side rows, as indicated here, show the Seaweed design.

The scarf shown was made with about six ounces of Lion Brand Pound of Love yellow yarn on size 6 needles. Substitute your favorite yarn on appropriate needles. You will also need two different place markers. They are used after the first eleven and before the last eleven original stitches to separate the edging from the main pattern. Designate one to indicate the right-side rows.

Knitting Abbreviations

ELR: end last repeat.
SM: slip marker.
Yo2: double yarn over; wrap the yarn around the needle twice instead of only once. On the next row, you will "k1, p1" into this double yarn over.

Instructions for Knitting the Squiggle Scarf

Cast on 46 sts (preferably with the long-tail or cable cast-on method).

Preparation Row right-side, (the beginning of the left-hand edging): k11, place right-side marker, k24, place marker, k3, (yo, ssk, k1) twice (yo2, k1) twice.

Row 1: (k2, p1) 4 times, k3, SM, * p4, k2; repeat from * to marker, SM, (begins right-hand edging), k3, (yo, ssk, k1), twice, (yo2, k1) twice.
Row 2: (k2, p1) 4 times, k3, SM, * p2, k4; repeat from * to marker, SM, k3, yo, ssk, k1, yo, ssk, k7.
Row 3: Bind off 4 sts knitwise, k3, p1, k2, p1, k3, SM, * p3, k3; repeat from * to marker, SM, k3, yo, ssk, k1, yo, ssk, k7.
Row 4: bind off 4 sts, k3, p1, k2, p1, k3, SM, * p3, k3; repeat from * to marker, SM, k3, (yo, ssk, k1) twice, (yo2, k1) twice.
Row 5: (k2, p1) 4 times, k3, SM, * p2, k4; repeat from * to marker, SM, k3, (yo, ssk, k1) twice, (yo2, k1) twice.
Row 6: (k2, p1) 4 times, k3, SM, * p4, k2; repeat from * to marker, SM, k3, yo, ssk, k1, yo, ssk, k7.
Row 7: bind off 4 sts, k3, p1, k2, p1, k3, SM, p1, * k4, p2; repeat from * ELR k4, p1, SM, k3, yo, ssk, k1, yo, ssk, k7.
Row 8: bind off 4 sts, k3, p1, k2, p1, k3, SM, k1, * p4, k2; rep from *, ELR p4, k1, SM, k3, (yo, ssk, k1) twice, (yo2, k1) twice.
Row 9: (k2, p1) 4 times, k3, SM, p1, * k3, p3; rep from *, ELR k3, p2, SM, k3, (yo, ssk, k1, ) twice, (yo2, k1) twice.
Row 10: (k2, p1) 4 times, k3, SM, k2, * p3, k3; rep from *, ELR p3, k1, SM, k3, yo, ssk, k1, yo, ssk, k7.
Row 11: bind off 4 sts, k3, p1, k2, p1, k3, SM, p1, * k2, p4; repeat from *, ELR k2, p3, SM, k3, yo, ssk, k1, yo, ssk, k7.
Row 12: bind off 4 sts, k3, p1, k2, p1, k3, SM, k3, * p2, k4; repeat from *, ELR p2, k1, SM, k3, (yo, ssk, k1) twice, (yo2, k1) twice.

Repeat rows 1-12 to desired length. On last repeat of row 12, end k11. Bind off on the next row.

Variations

For a wider or narrower scarf, add or subtract multiples of six stitches to the center section. For another scarf with vertical edging, try the Shells and Stairways Scarf.

Resources

This pattern was developed by Donna W. Hill using stitch patterns from A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara G. Walker (Schoolhouse Press 1997).

Donna with black Lab Hunter in her lap, Rich Hill

Donna W. Hill - Donna W. Hill is an author, singer/songwriter, recording artist, speaker and avid knitter in Pennsylvania's rural Endless Mountains. Her ...