Crochet to Go

Here's a quick and easy holiday project - a bulky ribbed scarf, or, if you're in a big hurry, a snug cowl.

Materials needed
• Crochet hook: 8 mm
• Yarn needle
For scarf:
• 2 skeins / 200 grams bulky weight yarn
For cowl:
• 3 buttons
• 1/2-3/4 skein / 50-75 grams bulky weight yarn

Gauge
In pattern, 6 sc and 5 rows = 2 inches

Directions
Ch 2, turn.

R1: 2 sc in second ch from hook (2 sc). Ch 1, turn.

R2 and all subsequent rows: work in back loops only.
R2: 2 sc in each st (4 sc). Ch 1, turn.

R3: 2 sc in second st from hook. Sc in each subsequent st. In final st, work 2 sc (6 sc). Ch 1, turn.

R4 - R10: repeat R3 until desired width. Repeating R3 through R10 = width of 5 inches.

Begin R11 (or your prefered width) on the tall side of the triangle:

R11: 2 sc in second st from hook. Sc in each subsequent st. In final 2 sts, work 1 st-dec. Ch 1, turn.

R12: 2 sc in second st from hook. Sc in each subsequent st. In final 2 sts, work 1 st-dec. Ch 1, turn.

R13: In first two sts, work 1 st-dec. Sc in each subsequent st. In final st, work 2 sc. Ch 1, turn.

Repeat rows 12-13 until desired length.

Finishing (Cowl):
Work until the cowl wraps comfortably around your deck. The shorter side should be 19-20 inches. Fasten off, weave in loose ends. Sew buttons on each corner of the triangle end.

Finishing (Scarf):
Work until the longest side is 55-60 inches. Starting on the short side of the triangle:

R1: In first two sts, work 1 st-dec. Sc in each st across. Do not sc in final st of row. Ch 1, turn.

R2: Work 1 st-dec. Sc in each st across. In final 2 sts, work 1 st-dec. Ch 1, turn.

Repeat rows 1-2 until all two sts remain. St-dec together, fasten off. Weave in loose ends.

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Originally uploaded by aliciamalia.

This was a ravelry find - a quick, short-sleeved baby cardigan. My version is a bit wider and denser than the original. I don't love the look of it draped flat like this, but I think it will be cute on. It's a very fast pattern to make, and the instructions include a broad range of sizes (from newborn to 4 years).

I am so far behind on crochet this year. I think the crochet holiday gifts are going to be pretty limited, just a few small items. Here's a project I started nearly six months ago, and then had trouble finding enough yarn to complete it.

It's the "Cascade Scarf" by Rebecca Jackson (free pattern available here). This is my second attempt at the pattern - the first attempt went well, but the yarn used was much thicker. This is a very fine mohair (Sublime Yarns Kid Mohair Blend). It still makes for a wider scarf than the pattern pictures let on. The drape is quite nice.