Recently I finished the Multi Directional Diagonal Scarf. It is a great pattern for a beginner because it does not involve the purl stitch, only the knit stitch. There are some increases and decreases.
There are some notes about the pattern that I would like to share. The whole original pattern is written out here. Karen, on Douma, wrote the pattern. It is also a well visited pattern in Ravelry, if you have an account, and want to check it out there.
The most common mistake is the direction of the triangles. You will create a bend in your scarf if you head in the wrong direction. I have cut out triangles to illustrate how to build your work.
Here is how the pattern reads:
“…Work until you’ve SSK-ed the last two stitches of the row.
Next Row: start over at Row 1 of the Short Row Section.”
The trick here is that you have been turning and knitting back. You are in a rhythm, and you are a focused knitter, so nothing is going to throw you off. But after the first triangle, if you turn and knit back, you will be on the wrong side.
First you knit the base triangle. Then you knit the first triangle. Because the scarf is reversible, the first triangle cannot go wrong. (So you have an early feeling of success! yeah! But watch closely, so that you can keep that up!) After that, you always have to start your next triangle on the “low side”.
If you start a triangle from the “high side” it will grow at an angle, and make a turn in your scarf. (The picture above shows the potential error.)
So, to recap
“…Work until you’ve SSK-ed the last two stitches of the row.
Next Row: start over at Row 1 of the Short Row Section.”
When you finish the last two stitches of the previous triangle, IMMEDIATELY turn and start the next row. Do not knit back.
The other issue I had was with the last triangle.
The last triangle pattern reads like this:
For the last Triangle:
Work as with previous triangles until 1/2 of the stitches are on the right needle and 1/2 of the stitches remain on the left needle. Instead of starting each garter stitch ridge with an increase, start the ridge with a decrease (i.e., K1, k2tog). Continue to work the decrease in the “middle” of the row as before, and after making this second decrease, both needles will have the same number of sts. When 6 sts remain, work as follows:
K1, K3tog, turn, k2
k3tog, turn, k1
K2tog, cut yarn & pull through last remaining loop
In my experience there were not 6 stitches left, there were 7. Maybe I made a simple mistake somewhere. But if I did, then it is likely that others may make the same error. If you find yourself with 7 stitches then follow these instructions:
k1, k2 tog slip 1 (before the gap) slip one (after the gap) knit them together, and there will be 2 left on the left needle.
Turn and knit the three back. (5 on needle)
Knit 1, slip 3 as if to knit (2 before the gap and one after) knit 3 together.
Turn knit 2 back (3)
Slip 1, 2 tog, slip stitch over , cut, pull yarn through
Have fun! Enjoy!
© 2005 – 2014 Kathy Lewinski & Susan Cornish
Thanks for the notes. I am new to knitting, and really liked the look of this when you first posted. I still need my mommy to read some patterns to me to explain just exactly what I need to do and we haven’t remembered when we are together. I think I might be able to on my own now. I just need to get the right yarn.
Kim,
When you pick your yarn, look for something fun, and even color changing, but I would advise to stay out of sock yarn. I picked this ball specifically for the colors, but I did not really factor in how small the gauge was. Whoops. This took so long to know because of it. And if you are a new knitter, I would just want you to feel successful faster than “that”. Just look for yarn bigger than “lace” or “fingering”. Let us know how you go! we would love to see! – Susi
This is fantastic!!! I never thought to cut this out for a visual reference!! Thank you so very much!! I’m not really new to knitting, but I am very slow due to RA I can’t hold the needles for very long and it get’s frustrating. I cannot wait to find the perfect yarn for this pattern, a self stripping yarn would be beautiful as I am thinking this is what you chose.
Thanks again,
Marianne
Marianne,
My pleasure. I’m glad you found it helpful. Like I said to Kim, just stay away from the finer weights of yarn, especially if you cannot go for long stretches. The issue is that most of the self striping yarn is sock weight. So just a warning to check. Show us your project when you find the right yarn! We would LOVE to see. -Susi
Thank you so much for this explanation of which side to start on when repeating the second short row triangle. I was sure it was just unclear instructions. Thanks for saving me all that “rip out” time.
Phyllis, That is my pleasure! Thanks for leaving your comment! happy knitting
Thanks so much for the amended directions for the last triangle. I am a beginning knitter and had put away this project because of the last triangle. Recently decided to try again and after ripping/unknitting the last triangle for the second time [ok, I am a quilter and perfection is required] I decided to “Google it” and your instructions are great! Thanks again!
I am so gratified to see your post. Thank you for visiting our site. I’m glad that my paper cut outs and detailed notes could clarify things. And here we are nearly three years later, visiting the scarf. That makes my heart happy. Carry on!
Coming back to knitting after a few years, I remembered having enjoyed this pattern and thought, “How hard can it be?” Hard, lol! Thanks for the reminder about how this works, the visuals on the triangles are very helpful.