That Something Special that Rocks!

Aubergine

That gorgeous skein of STR Eggplanted (heavyweight, of course) that I picked out at camp needed a very special pattern.

Pattern: Aubergine (ravelry link)by IrishgirlieKnits

Yarn: BMFA Socks that Rock heavyweight, colorway Eggplanted (1 skein)

Needles: Size 8

Gauge: ~5 1/2 stitches/inch in pattern

Length: 5 1/2" x 70" (after blocking)

KEY

sl 1: slip 1 stitch

k: knit

p: purl

p2tog: purl 2 stitches together

FC: faux cable that creates a new stitch (I've done my best to explain this stitch both in words and pictures below); to complete the "faux cable," slip the right hand needle between the 2nd and 3rd stitches on the left needle and make a yarn over (you are essentially creating a new stitch, see picture a. below); pull the new stitch through and you have a new stitch on the right needle (see picture b. below); now knit stitches 1 and 2 on the left hand needle as normal, you have three stitches now on the right hand needle (see picture c. below).

a. b. c.

This pattern is a multiple of 4 stitches plus 2 stitches (1 slipped stitch at each end). The pattern can easily be modified in width (if you want to try to avoid pooling, try changing stitch count or needle size/gauge) or used with thicker or thinner yarns (see below).

Instructions:

Cast on 34 stitches (I used the German twisted long-tail cast on. My attempt to prevent curling. Seemed to work, not sure if it was necessary or not. I had just learned it at camp and wanted to try it!).

Row 1: Sl 1, k all

Row 2: Sl 1, p all

Row 3: Sl 1, *FC, k 2 * (repeat * * until last stitch), k1

Row 4: Sl 1, *p 3, p2tog * (repeat * * until last stitch), p 1

Row 5: Sl 1, *k 2, FC* (repeat * * until last stitch), k1

Row 6: Sl 1, p 1, p2tog, *p 3, p2tog* (repeat * * until last 3 stitches), p 3

Repeat rows 3-6 until desired length

Finish with a one row knit, one row purl, and then bind off. Please let me know if you have any questions or find any errors. Thanks!

credits: The "faux cable" stitch pattern appears in a Japanese reference moyouhen 500 boubariami moyoubetsu ketteiban.

I love the potential of this stitch pattern. It works so well with my favorite yarn and I love how changing the stitch count can easily change the look of this scarf. I wanted to show you my original gauge swatch (I know, I know...I swatched for a scarf?!!?!). Its in January One and had fewer stitches and at least from first go, didn't look like this colorway was going to pool quite the way Eggplanted did. Goes to show you what a few stitches can do, huh? I also was playing around with needle size here too (first part on size 8, ended with size 7).

I also did a mini-swatch in mediumweight STR and I was loving it, but the neverending chevron scarf came to mind, and I stopped. I was craving immediate gratification, but someday, maybe in mediumweight this would be pretty.

And tonight.... I cast on this. Just to see.....

MMMMMalabrigo.....

Happy Knitting!!

xoxo Irishgirlieknits