Knitting Pattern question...?

Question

My friend wanted me to knit her a scarf, but didn't give me a pattern or care which one I use. So, I was thinking of just doing something random.. how would it look if I knit 5 rows, and pearled 1... or should I knit 5 and pearl 5 ?

I'm not that advanced in knitting, but if you think something else would be a better pattern..pls give me a link/picture.


Thanks in advance!


btw. The material I'm working with is:
Brand: Lion Brand Yarn
Type: Suede
Color: Fuchsia
Size: (2) 6x48 --However, I don't think I'll be using both of them.

Answer 1

This yarn is considered a chunky yarn. The manufacturer recommends a size 9 needle. I kinda think you might be happier with a size 10, especially if your stitches tend to be tight.

http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/yarnInfo.cgi?yarnPage=1694539



Here's the problem with alternating stitches by rows: it's going to want to curl on you.



For a curl free scarf, either knit every single row, making garter stitch, or do some garter stitch the first and last inch and a half or so on each edge. If you at least get that garter stitch edge, you can play around with alternating the pattern by changing what stitch you use in a row. (ie five rows stockinette stitch, one row reverse stockinette, etc.)



Let me back up a bit. I'm not clear what level of knitter you are, ie whether you know the difference between stockinette and garter stitch. So I'll take a moment to explain. Forgive me if it's something you already know. To make stockinette stitch you knit the front side of the fabric and purl the back side. This makes all "V's" on the front side and all "-'s" on the back side. With garter stitch, you literally knit every single row both on the front side of the fabric and on the back side. This produces horizontal ridges in the knitted fabric. As I mentioned, fabric, or sections of fabric, made entirely of stockinette stitch will try to curl, whereas areas of garter stitch will naturally lie flat.



If you literally knit five rows (ie knit in garter stitch), and then switch and throw in a purl row, you will not create a very noticeable pattern. But you would create an interesting and decorative pattern if you did this in stockinette stitch.



Another way to do it would be to make a simple pattern within the row. You might try this easy and attractive basketweave pattern from Barbara Walker's first Treasury of Knitting.



http://knitting.about.com/od/scarfpatterns/p/basket_scarf.htm



Or check out this ribbed pattern designed especially for your yarn:

http://www.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/patternFinder.fcgi?language=&store=%2Fstores%2Flionbrand&search=1&searchText=suede+scarf&submit.x=0&submit.y=0&submit=search

(You'll have to register to download this free pattern. It's the first one on the list.)

Answer 2

Knitting with Suede is a lot like knitting with cotton, not much give in the yarn, so the bigger the needle that reasonable, probably the better for a scarf. And, yes, you'll probably use two balls, if not more for this one. You might consider basket weave stitch for it, rather than an occasional purl row, or make it ribbed, with a k3, p3 pattern that would be reversible.

Answer 3

I agree a rib pattern would look nice but I feel I must warn you. The suede yarn Lion puts out has issues with worming (stitches getting loose & are near impossible to get back in pattern. The more pattern you use, the more likely the suede will worm. Also, the suede, after getting wet, has a tendency to separate from the base fiber, leave bald patches in your scarf. Use it if you wish & your friend knows how to care for it, just wanted to warn you.

Answer 4

There are a lot of sites for free scarf patterns, and many of them show 20 or more patterns:

http://www.knittingonthenet.com/scarves.htm

http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/directory/scarves.php

http://knitting.about.com/od/scarfpatterns/Free_Knitting_Patterns_Scarf_Knitting_Patterns.htm



good luck