I love the images that a kerchief conjures up in my head: a crisp gingham shirt, a rickety three speed bike, a basket of fresh produce. Whether you're living a Provencal fantasy or are more like the rest of us: dirty jeans, a crosstown bus and Chinese take out, a cotton kerchief is a secret weapon for feeling fresh faced and energized.

Purl Patchwork's manager, Nikki, is always adorable, but the kerchief's not hurting! She took a quick break from cutting fat quarters to model the Summer Kerchief in front our favorite Sullivan Street cafe, called Local.

The Materials

• 2 skeins of Blue Sky Alpaca's Skinny Cotton, 100% cotton. I used the colors "Cherry" and Organic Birch", and two skeins is enough for at least two kerchiefs.

• 1 set of US #5 needles, straight or circular.

• 2 removable stitch markers (optional).

The Pattern

Finished Size

One size fits all. The tie is 28 inches long (and stretches), and the triangle is 13 inches wide at its base and 10 inches from the middle of the base to the tip.

Gauge

5 1/2 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch

Make the Tie

With the Contrast Yarn, cast on 2 stitches.

Row 1 (right side): K1, knit into the front and back (kfb). (3 stitches)

Row 2 (wrong side): K1, p1, k1.

Row 3: K1, make 1 right (m1R), k1, make 1 left (m1L), k1. (5 stitches)

Row 4: K1, p3, k1.

Row 5: K1, p1, m1R, k1, m1L, p1, k1. (7 stitches)

Row 6: [K1, p1] 3 times, k1.

Row 7: K1, p1, k1, m1R, k1, m1L, k1, p1, k1. (9 stitches)

Row 8: [K1, p1] 2 times, p1, [p1, k1] 2 times.

Row 9: *K1, p1, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.

Rows 10 - 15: Repeat Rows 8 and 9.

Row 16: Repeat Row 8.

Row 17: Slip slip knit (ssk), [k1,p1] 2 times, k1, k2tog. (7 stitches)

Row 18: P1, k1, p3, k1, p1.

Row 19: Ssk, p1, k1, p1, k2tog. (5 stitches)

Row 20: K1, p3, k1.

Row 21: Ssk, k1, k2tog. (3 stitches)

Row 22: K1, p1, k1.

Repeat Row 22 until piece measures 7 1/2 inches from the cast on edge, ending with a wrong side row (The above photo shows the "right side" of the work.)

Next Row (right side): Repeat Row 22 and mark the last stitch with a removeable stitch marker or a piece of scrap yarn.

Continue to repeat Row 22 until piece measures 13 inches from the marked stitch, ending with a wrong side row.

Next Row (right side): Repeat Row 22 and mark the last stitch with a removeable stitch marker or a piece of scrap yarn.

Continue to repeat Row 22 until piece measures 5 inches from the last marked stitch, ending with a wrong side row.

Repeat Rows 3 - 21.

Next Row: K1, p1, k1.

Next Row: Slip 1, k2tog, pass the slipped stitch over. (1 stitch)

Cut the yarn and thread it through the remaining stitch.

Make the Triangle

With the right side facing you and using the Main Color, start to pick up stitches at the right hand stitch marker.

Pick up 72 stitches between the two stitch markers.

Row 1: K1, p1, k1, purl to the last 3 stitches, k1, p1, k1.

Row 2: K1, p1, k1, ssk, knit to the last 5 stitches, k2tog, k1, p1, k1. (2 stitches decreased)

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until 8 stitches remain. End with a wrong side row.

Next Row (right side): K1, p1, k1, k2tog, k1, p1, k1. (7 stitches)

Next Row: [K1, p1] 3 times, k1.

Next Row: Ssk, k1, p1, k1, k2tog. (5 stitches)

Next Row: [P1, k1] 2 times, p1.

Next Row: Ssk, p1. k2tog. (3 stitches)

Next Row: K1, p1, k1.

Next Row: Slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over. (1 stitch)

Cut the yarn and thread it through the last stitch.

Weave in the ends and start the next one, reversing the colors!