About the scrunchable scarf

[pumbaphant]

Thanks to finding this forum, I have been introduced to the scrunchable scarf! I am very interested in making one of these.

I am a beginner knitter, I have made two scarves, with garter stitch only. I am learning to perl and feel I am ready to take on a little bit more difficult scarf!

What I understand about the scrunchable scarf is that it is K2 P1 and it the number of stitches has to be a multiple of 3.
I was thinking about doing 21 stitches because the last scarf I made with the same yarn, I made 26 stitches across and it was just a little two wide, but that was just garter stitch - don't know if that makes a difference.

Anyways, what I am wondering is, do I ALWAYS start with knit stitch on each row?
So basically would my scarf look like this if I did 21 stitches?:
KKPKKPKKPKKPKKPKKPKKP
PKKPKKPKKPKKPKKPKKPKK
KKPKKPKKPKKPKKPKKPKKP
... and so on?

I just want to make sure I am doing this right before I start, ya know?
Before i read anything about this scrunchable scarf I was going to do a ribbed scarf by doing K2P2... could I do that anyway I wanted like K3P3... etc...?
Thanks so so much
I am really excited to get started!

[Jan in CA]

The pattern directions state:

Cast on a multiple of 3 sts (plus one on each edge for a selvage).
The pattern repeat is just K2, P1 - on both sides. Because you are working with an odd number of sts, you get a column of knit sts, a column of purls, and a column of moss st. It pleats itself and its reversible, but its very flexible.


Based on this info you have a multiple of 3 PLUS 2. So if you want do 21 you really need to CO 23.

You always start with a knit. As the pattern states you k2p1 on both sides. It's very easy and it's a nice squishy scarf!

As for ribbing..sure you can do it anyway you like! Just make sure to knit the knits and purl the purls to get ribbing.

[pumbaphant]

Thanks.

So, it should look like this?

KKPKKPKKPKKPKKPKKPKKPKK
KKPKKPKKPKKPKKPKKPKKPKK

if I make it 23 stitches?

I don't see where the moss stitch comes in then?

[suzeeq]

You could slip the first stitch on each end for the selvedges is what I think Jan means. Or you can just leave them off and do the pattern over 21 stitches.

sue

[Jan in CA]

Took me a minute to thing about this since it's been awhile since I made it. :thinking:

I think the selvege edge is created by slipping the first stitch and knitting the last. So you'd have

sl1 kkpkkpkkpkkpkkpkkpkkpk

Even though you are DOING the same thing the stitches aren't in the same place. When you turn your work it would actually be the reverse of what you are seeing above. So that last k would be slipped and you'd do the first two knits on a purl and knit stitch. Does that make sense?

Just keep doing the pattern and you'll see it all work out.

[five_six]

K... I'm using E for your edge stitches, but it would go like this:

EkkpkkpkkpkkpkkpkkpkkpE

once you turn your work those stitches will now be:

EkppkppkppkppkppkppkppE (the you work your next row which is
EkkpkkpkkpkkpkkpkkpkkpE

Can you see in the first 3 stitches, the row of knit that will form, the row of moss, then the row of purls? This is how you would continue on in pattern till you get to your desired length.

EDIT: Wow, colouring in a line changes it's dimensions a little but not to worry, you get the idea

[pumbaphant]

EkppkppkppkppkppkppkppE (the you work your next row which is
EkkpkkpkkpkkpkkpkkpkkpE

So, the second row would be p2 k1 then? and then the third is back to k2 p2?

and with the Edges? I always slip the first one and knit the last?

Wow.. I didn't realize how much I just don't get this... LOL
... maybe I should just stick with a regular scarf... eh, bear with me, I'll get the hang of it.

[brendajos]

no no no. I think you are thinking way too much about this. Every row you do will be k2p1 with an edge stitch on each end. I just knitted both the first and last stitch on mine but you could do what Jan did too and slip the first stitch and knit the last. Whichever you prefer works fine. The base of the scarf though is k2p1 and nothing more than that.

[chiricahuagal]

pumbaphant, I am soooo glad you asked this, because I don't get those 2 extra stitches either!

If you slip the first stitch - it isn't knitted - ... anyway, I don't get it. Just slip it from left to right needle, not doing anything to it? What does that do? I do get that you can knit the first and last stitches, but again, what does that add to the pattern?

Sorry, I feel very dense!! thanks for your patience!!

[brendajos]

basically it adds a nice clean edge to the pattern. if you slip the first stitch it will make the edge kind of a chain edge. It does get knitted later (sort of) when you come back across so you aren't just leaving it hang out there with no work being done to it. Basically you need it so your edges look even. You probably don't HAVE to do it if you really don't want to.