896 Square Inches

Joy of joys, the scarf that never ends is done! I've been a busy bee on it this past week, trying to get it off the needles. I cast off on Sunday at Knit Happens, and took it home to block:

The pattern really spread out, and became lovely and squooshy and textured.

And then I spent late night last night adding fringe. [I thought I'd gotten out of the fringe when I ran out of yarn, but I found the leftovers from this scarf and added the fringe at JT's request.] Nice long fringe, 4 pieces of yarn per fringe-knot. [The fringiness is largely due to Phyl, Holly, Aimee and Jasmine, who advised me on all things fringe. It was my first time in the fringing fray.]

Here it is modeled on one of the shop forms:

And here it is modeled on JT, who has a cold and therefore would only sanction a photo from the neck down. But he loves the scarf, and wore it proudly to work today. [And it looks smashing with his leather jacket.] Awww, seeing how much he likes it makes it all worthwhile.

Pattern: Mine (posted below), based on a Harmony stitch guide pattern
Yarn: Sportweight black alpaca, doubled. Two 8-oz skeins. Purchased from Recycled Lamb.
Needles: US7 Addi Turbos.
Finished Size: 14" x 64", excluding fringe
Started: Jan. 7, 2006
Finished: Feb. 15, 2006
Gauge: 4.75 stitches/inch
Comments: This is a simple, easily memorizable pattern. It was sort of like knitting a baby blanket--it's great to see all the progress, but also pretty irritating because progress comes slowly. 100% worth it, though, for an appreciative recipient. And alpaca is quickly becoming my yarn preference for scarves. (Since I can't afford cashmere, natch.)

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Pattern: Windowpane Scarf

CO 67 stitches
Garter stitch for 4 rows.
Pattern stitch to desired length.
Garter stitch for 4 rows.
Bind off. Fringe if desired. Enjoy!

Pattern stitch:
Row 1: k3, pm, k4, p1, k1, p1, *k7, p1, k1, p1*, repeat to last 7 stitches, k4, pm, k3
Row 2: k3, p4, k3, *p7, k3*, repeat to last 7 stitches, p4, k3
Row 3: as row 1
Row 4: as row 2
Row 5: as row 1
Row 6: k all stitches
Row 7: k3, *p1, k1* to last 4 stitches, p1, k3
Row 8: k all stitches
Row 9: as row 1
Row 10: as row 2
Row 11: as row 1
Row 12: as row 2

pm=place marker to separate garter border from main pattern