Whit's Knits: Rick Rack Scarf

I recently unearthed the first project I ever knit, a moth-eaten stockinette scarf. I made it over twenty years ago while I was spending a school year in rural France. My French "mother" was the town librarian and an amazing knitter. She opened her stash basket to me and walked me through every step of that crazy scarf.

Since then I've made dozens of scarves, and I wonder sometimes if I've run out of fresh ideas for the next one. After all, the criteria for a scarf pattern are rather stringent: something that lies flat, that looks good on both sides and that has a soft and beautiful drape. I was so happy to discover this Rick Rack Rib; it meets all of those standards and also happens to evoke one of my all time favorite things, rick rack! Thanks, Barbara Walker!

With the holiday season upon us, I made sure to use a super special yarn for the super special people on your list, including scarf-o-phobe men! Jade Sapphire's softer-than-soft 8 Ply Mongolian Cashmere amazes everyone with its cloud-like loft and downy touch. This is definitely a far cry from that first wonky scarf!

To make your own Rick Rack Scarf, just visit our Project Journal right here. Thanks! - Whitney

Comments

[Evelyn]

I haven't knitted with Jade Sapphire yet but have been meaning to for quite some time. This just might be the perfect scarf to cast on with this luxurious cashmere.

[T.]

Nothing like rediscovering that first knitting project! I love it. I also love this pattern...I'm totally adding it to my to-do list!

[Suzanne]

It sure has wonderful texture. Thank you.

[nata]

So cute !

[Renee]

What a timely anecdote! I just unearthed my first-ever knit project, a soft and wonky scarf which I knit in a tiny kitchen in Aix-en-Provence about 20 years ago. My German friend taught me to knit,...the first time,...a skill I promptly forgot after returning to the States. Because I love the yarn, and have since relearned to knit, I'm giving it a new life in a project from your website. It's going to be hard to choose, as you give us so many beautiful options. Thanks for sharing them!

[Nina]

Oh, Barbara Walker. I think EZ's and BW's might be the only knitting books a person ever needs.

[Krisha]

Beautiful texture!

[Dana]

Beautiful!! I'll be putting this in the knitting queue. :) Thanks for so many great FREE knitting patterns.

[Issac]

Great texture

[Deven]

It's lovely! I have the perfect yarn for this project!

But, I'm a new knitter. The directions are great but I haven't quite grasped what I need to do yet. I tend to be a very visual learner when it comes to knitting. Is there a video or some such help floating around the internet that can help? I've seen one on youtube but can't decided if she is doing the same thing or not.

http://youtu.be/0S707h3vy4Y

Thanks!

[purl bee]

Hi Deven,

No, that video isn't showing the same technique, although the results to do look similar! I can't actually find a video anywhere that shows the Rick Rack Rib...

I would suggest really studying the photos, and even though words aren't the way you normally process info, you may find some of the comments after the Project Journal quite helpful. And, of course, if you live in New York City, our store staff would be happy to walk you through the steps!!

Thanks for your questions and good luck!
Whitney

[Deven]

See! I didn't think it was the same techinque! Thank you so much!

;-D Trying to figure it out sure does make a fun weekend!

Thanks so much!

[Ms Willie Schutz]

Please help me find your pattern for the V cowl pictured at the top of this blog.

Many thanks
Willie Schutz

[purl bee]

Hi Willie Shutz-

The pattern for the Bandana Cowl featured in our header can be found here:

http://www.purlbee.com/bandana-cowl/

Thanks for the question!- Molly

[Claire Jain]

My limited attempts at knitting haven't even gotten me to the completed scarf stage. I can do some crocheting, though. I learned from my mother and great-grandmother as a child and picked it up again when I spent a semester in Poitiers, France during college. There was a great yarn store, and I had fun following along with a crochet book I bought from them. It was fun to learn the French vocab for the crochet stitches, and my finished projects are totally wearable :-)