Page's Favorite Knitted Ascot

I am one of those people whose neck is always cold during the chilly months.   I must have something covering it all times- even indoors!  Finding the perfect "indoor/outdoor scarf" has proven to be a bit tricky.  Turtlenecks have always felt too constricting and traditional scarves haven't worked for me either…..often too bulky and long, they seem to come unwrapped every time I’m not standing perfectly straight; making most tasks nearly impossible.  (It would be so nice to have something that doesn't get snipped by my scissors, drag through the glue or dangle in my soup!) And finally, mine are all too itchy since i've never allowed myself to splurge on cashmere for a full length scarf.  What to do?!

I am happy to announce that I have found the ideal solution! Hand Jive’s Basic Knitted Ascot.  I can knit it exactly to my neck size so I don’t feel like I am being choked. It stays put without any fussing thanks to the brilliant keyhole design. The short style not only means I don’t feel guilty about making it with cashmere, but it also doesn't get in my way.  And perhaps best of all, it takes no time at all to make. What more could I ask for!?

I gave mine a modern twist by making the body of the ascot a beautiful winter white and the keyhole a bright contrasting green. While switching from the green of the keyhole to the ivory of the neckpiece, I came across that annoying stripe you get when switching from one color to another in garter stitch.  Notice below how it doesn't feel like a neat transition from the green to the ivory.

We figured out a way to correct this.  Knit the last row of single rib for each side of the keyhole using the neck piece color, not the keyhole color. In this case Ivory. Then put all the stitches back on the needle and continue using the ivory to make the neckpiece.  What a difference it makes!

Another tip- measure your neck carefully so that the neckpiece isn’t too short or too long. I tend to make mine 14 inches rather than the recommended 15 inches. If it is too long, it won’t fit snug against your neck. Remember it will stretch a bit with use.  If you're anything like me, you'll live in this all winter long!

Enjoy! --Page

ps- The amazing fabric behind the finished ascot is Yuwa's Pop Flowers.

Materials:

• Hand Jive’s Basic Knitted Ascot pattern
• Lobster Pot Yarns worsted cashmere in New Seagrass
• Jade Sapphire Zageo cashmere 6-ply in Ivory (approximately 150 yds)

*I used an extra 12 yards of the ivory so I suggest buying an extra skein just in case. If you buy 3 of the main color and 1 of the contrast color it will be enough for 2 identical ascots - or 2 of each color will make 2 opposite ascots.

• Stitch holder
• US Size 4, 6, or 8 needles
• Tapestry needle

Comments

[Rachel]

This is really pretty! The patterns you post are always so gorgeous and inspiring! I'll be linking to this.

[Frk. Badegakk]

What a lovely scarf! Thanks for the tip!=D

[Birgitte]

I love the detail with the green keyhole! And it definitely is a great design for a scarf!

[E to the M]

I love these for kids too. They're not too long and they're easy to keep on while playing.

[Jen]

Very pretty! I would love to see it on a model to really get a feel for what it looks like on....

[Carrie]

Oh, this is lovely! Thank you for sharing, I might have to try!

[Johanna]

I would love to see this in a model, too! It looks pretty as is but I can't really picture what it would look like when worn.

[prettypennydesigns]

So cute! I'm always looking for little mini neck warmers that won't get in the way. I recently posted a seed stitch neck warmer on my blog and I think I'll try this one too.

[Judy]

I need one of those for our winters. Thanks for the tip too.

[artmomma]

My great grandmother used to knit me the very same scarves out of horrid scratchy acrylic; your cashmere sounds much nicer!

[Uyek]

My grandmother had one of these too! I can remember my mother making them.
And wearing one all day long is supposed to cure the common cold, according to my grandmother. How fun to see a revival here.

[mrs.myung]

This is lovely.
But i don't know how to knit.... :(
All your makings our just so beautiful...

[alison]

OMG! That just broke a memory from years back. I was about five and my nana made me and little teddy matching yellow scarfs, I can picture her helping me get mine on and then going with her on a bus somewhere! How bizarre! I should make one for my kids and me!

[Laura Normandin]

Page,
Thanks for the great pattern! Maybe I could adapt it for my dolls.

Laura

[Kara]

I was talking in the artichoke line at Rhinebeck this week and you were wearing it, It looked lovely on.

[Bee]

The link for the pattern does not direct you to purchase page for the pattern. Where can I find this pattern on your site?

[Page]

Laura,
Great idea. This would look amazing on your dolls! Coco and I would both be thrilled.
Page

[Page]

Kara,

It was lovely meeting you and your friends at the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival. Thanks so much for your help, your brochure and keeping me company on line. This knits up much faster than those beautiful socks you were knitting : )
Hope our paths cross again.

[purl bee]

Dear Bee,
It looks like we're currently sold out of the pattern. It is on reorder and we should be receiving it shortly. You can give our shop a call to see if we still have it in stock there at 212 420-8796 (m-f 12-7, sat and sun 12-6 EST) or you can email our customer service department at the following link and they will let you know when it arrives.
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/contact

[handknit168]

lovely scarf, I should try to knit one.

[Norma Nichols]

The lady that taught me to knit in 1976 gave me this pattern and I knit several, now I want to knit another one and can't find my pattern. With moving around a lot I have lost it. Tell me where I can find a pattern, please. I tried the purl bee and they didn't have any.
I appreciate any help you can give me. Thanks

[purl bee]

Hi Norma,
We are currently out of the pattern but we have more coming. You can find the link to the pattern here:
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/4788
also, if you'd like our customer service department to let you know when the patterns arrive you can send an email to us at this link:
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/contact
hope this helps!

[Bonny Smith]

My friend recently asked for one of these in exchange for her giving me a massage; however, it was crocheted and not knitted.

I looked at a picture and went for it. This was such a simple neckwarmer and was really fast to make.

Its not quite as pretty as this one, but it was my first of the kind and I did it on a whim.

[Cannon]

I recently made one for myself, and yesterday completed one for a friend. They both came out great, the first is in a hand dyed ombre yard in purple, blonde and browns.
With both I had issues with the 2nd point. It ended up being longer / wider. My local knit spot helped me figure it out (binding off early). Anyone else having this problem with the pattern?

[angelina]

this pattern is , thankfully to liesl, free on the DISDRESSED blogspot. i just finished knitting it for my 4 year old in a bamboo/linen mix and it turned out lovely on sz 3 clover doublepoints. i am going to knit one now for my 1 year old, then my mother, then myself, it is the perfect scarf.

[missjulied]

I was really interested in this, but they want $8.00 to ship a $5.50 pattern (basically a piece of paper). Anyone know of a similar pattern with a more reasonable shipping charge, or maybe a digital download?

[purl bee]

Hi Miss Julled,
If you would like our website can send the pattern through the regular mail for quite a bit less money. All you need to do is email them at this link and they'll let you know what the charge will be etc, etc.
Hope this helps!
Joelle
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/contact

[teachern]

When I first learned how to knit in 1972 (I'm a grandma now!), I made this scarf in blue for my toddler son----who now has three girls of his own! Now I am using a pretty ombre in pinks and white for the wee Grand---she is just 16 mos. old. LOVE this one!

[Judith]

Hi Page! I love this but can't see the pattern anywhere. I can probably "wing it" but just wondered if you have it written down and can share? Thanks!

Judith

[purl bee]

Hi Judith -

This pattern is actually by Hand Jive yarns and is available for purchase here: http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/4788

Thanks so much for your question!- Molly