This scarf was inspired by the simple beauty of the movement of the lights in the sky caused by the random collisions of particles from the sun with the earth’s atmosphere. Throws of a die were used to recreate this random effect in the design of this scarf.
Skill Level: Easy
Size: 7” wide x 70” long
Gauge: 13 sts and 29 rows = 4” [10 cm] in pattern after steam blocking (exact gauge is not crucial)
Materials
Yarn:
Malabrigo Mecha (100% Merino; 130 yards [119 meters]/100 grams): MC416 Indiecita, 3 balls.
Needles: US 10 (6 mm): straight
Notions: Two removable markers; tapestry needle; one die or two different dice (optional)
Abbreviations
k1b: knit into the stitch below
Pattern notes
The scarf has three sections across the rows, separated by markers. Bee stitch is worked in the middle section with mirrored fisherman’s rib on either side.
The position of the markers are specified in the format X-Y-Z. With RS facing, place the first marker after the first X stitches and the second marker after a further Y stitches. Z stitches remain after the second marker.
Work with 2 skeins at a time, alternating the skeins every 2 rows. When you have used approximately half of both skeins, cut skein 1 and join skein 3. Rejoin skein 1 when skein 2 has been used up.
Special Stitches
Stitch Pattern
Row 1 (RS): K1, *k1b, k1; rep from * to end of row.
Row 2 (WS): K1, *k1, k1b; rep from * to marker, knit to next marker, *k1b, k1; rep from * to last st, k1.
Row 3: (K1, *k1b, k1; rep from * to marker) twice, k1, *k1b, k1; rep from * to end of row.
Row 4: Rep Row 2.
Rep Rows 1-4 for pattern.
Pattern
Using the Cable Cast-On Method, CO 23 sts.
Set-up Row: Knit.
Work the Stitch Pattern with the marker positions given below or follow the instructions for the Unique Option.
Rows 1-12: 5-7-11.
Rows 13-24: 7-7-9.
Rows 25-40: 7-9-7.
Rows 41-52: 5-11-7.
Rows 53-64: 5-9-9.
Rows 65-76: 7-9-7.
Rows 77-96: 5-13-5.
Rows 97-120: 5-11-7.
Rows 121-132: 5-9-9.
Rows 133-148: 7-5-11.
Rows 149-160: 5-7-11.
Rows 161-172: 7-5-11.
Rows 173-184: 5-9-9.
Rows 185-196: 7-7-9.
Rows 197-208: 7-9-7.
Rows 209-224: 7-11-5.
Rows 225-236: 9-9-5.
Rows 237-248: 11-7-5.
Rows 249-260: 9-7-7.
Rows 261-284: 9-5-9.
Rows 285-296: 9-7-7.
Rows 297-308: 9-5-9.
Rows 309-320: 7-9-7.
Rows 321-332: 7-9-7.
Rows 333-344: 7-7-9.
Rows 345-364: 5-9-9.
Rows 365-380: 5-7-11.
Rows 381-404: 7-7-9.
Rows 405-420: 5-9-9.
Rows 421-432: 7-7-9.
Rows 433-444: 7-5-11.
Rows 445-456: 9-5-9.
Rows 457-468: 9-7-7.
Rows 469-480: 7-9-7.
Rows 481-492: 7-11-5.
Rows 493-504: 9-9-5.
BO in pattern.
Unique Option
Throw a die twice or use 2 different dice, nominating one as throw 1 and the other as throw 2. Use the intersection of the 2 throws to determine where to place the markers for the starting position using Table 1. (e.g. Throw 1 = 4, Throw 2 = 3: place marker 1 after 5 sts and marker 2 after a further 11 stitches).
If throw 2 is a 6 you can choose your starting position from the relevant Throw 1 column.
Work 12 rows.
1) Throw the die to determine the movement of the markers from the intersection of the 2 throws from Table 2. The marker(s) move 2 sts at a time as long as the new marker positions are “valid” – you must have at least 5 stitches in each of the 3 sections. (Table 1 shows all the valid marker positions).
2) (a) If the movement is valid work 12 rows with the new marker positions.
(b) If the movement is invalid then work 4 more rows without moving the markers.
If you have worked 24 rows consecutively with the same marker positions, keep throwing the die/dice until you get a valid movement.
Rep Steps 1 and 2 until the Scarf is your required length or you run out of yarn.
Finishing
Weave in all ends.
Steam block to keep the natural thickness of the fabric and to avoid stretching the scarf.