How to Knit a Smoke Ring Scarf

The smoke ring scarf is actually more of a hooded cowl. Knitted wide and long to fit over the neck and hang on the shoulders, the smoke ring is worn as a cowl or pulled up over the head to hang loosely as a hood. This smoke ring scarf is knit in a fingering weight yarn in the Holland lace pattern. Both elegant and functional, the scarf knits up quickly and easily, making it an ideal hand-knitted gift.

Things You'll Need

• Fingering weight yarn
• 16-inch circular needle, size 6
• Stitch marker
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle

Instructions

1. Cast on 126 stitches onto the circular needle. Place a marker on the needle and join to begin working in the round.

2. Begin working the Holland lace pattern. On round one and every other odd numbered row, knit all stitches.

3. Knit two stitches, knit two stitches together, and pass the yarn over the needle clockwise. Then knit one stitch, pass the yarn over the needle again, slip two stitches to the right-hand needle, and knit the two stitches together; then knit two stitches. Repeat to the end of the round for round two.

4. Knit one stitch, knit two stitches together, and pass the yarn over the needle. Knit three stitches, pass the yarn over the needle, slip two stitches to the right hand-needle, and knit the two stitches together; then knit one stitch. Repeat to the end of the round for round four.

5. Knit two stitches together, pass the yarn over the needle, and knit five stitches. Pass the yarn over the needle; then slip two stitches to the right-hand needle, and knit the two stitches together. Repeat to the end of the round for round six and eight.

6. Knit three stitches, pass the yarn over the needle, and slip two stitches to the right-hand needle. Knit one stitch, and pass the two slipped stitches over the knitted stitch and off the needle. Pass the yarn over the needle; then knit three stitches. Repeat to the end of the round for round 10.

7. Repeat the 10 rounds of the Holland lace pattern until the piece measures 18 inches or the desired length.

8. Bind off all stitches. Cut the yarn' leaving an 8-inch tail. Thread the tail end of the yarn onto the tapestry needle, and weave in the end on the wrong side of the work.

Tips & Warnings

• Soak the piece in cool water with wool wash for about 15 minutes. Remove from the water without wringing or twisting the piece and roll in a towel to remove the excess water. Lay flat, stretching out the place pattern, and let dry completely. This will allow the piece to drape properly and the lace pattern to open up.

References

• "A Treasury of Knitting Patterns"; Barbara G. Walker; 1998
• "Knitting Around"; Elizabeth Zimmermann; 1989