Solid, Stripes, Scrap!

Solid, Stripes, Scrap! Solid, Stripes, Scrap! Remember the 3 S’s and then there is MORE!

The keyhole scarf opens the imagination! It has so many variations! You’ll be addicted to this wonderfully versatile pattern.

Start with a basic SOLID color and learn how the scarf is constructed. Up one side, create the signature keyhole and down the other side. When it comes off the knitting machine, just weave the two yarn tails and you are done! The techniques involve open-stitch cast on, stockinette stitch, transferred stitches, rehung stitches, and joining edges while you knit and loop through loop bind off. 

Now that you understand the basics, how about two-color STRIPES! Using the same techniques, the only variation comes with how you join the first side of the scarf to the second. Embedded in the pattern are hints and tips to match the stripes perfectly and to keep the float yarn inside the scarf! When you get to the end, guess what? You only need to weave in two ends because you will also learn to weave in ends as you go!  

Choose school colors or team colors. Choose three- or four-color stripes! Make the stripes wide or narrow or even mix them up! Since the yarn is carried on the inside you can safely go from narrow 2-row stripes to wide 12-row stripes!

Or go SCRAP happy! If you are using up scrap yarn, make sure to divide the yarn in half so you have enough yarn to match the stripes for the second half. Then, you will have lots of practice weaving in ends as you go!

How about MORE variations? Besides stripes, solids, contrasting color for the keyhole, why not embellish the keyhole with hand-manipulated cables or twists. You can also widen the scarf or shorten the length. Just remember keyhole scarves should never dangle as the long end of the scarf might get caught. Then, try different yarns! And, of course, fringe or not to fringe! Your choice, just mix it up and have fun!