Moebius Scarf 2
by Linda
This scarf was inspired by similar patterns on the web as well as a life
long love of math and science.
My first Moebius Scarf pattern, Moebius Scarf - The Original, has been here on the net for a few years now and gets thousands of visitors per month. As a matter of fact, it's my most popular knitting pattern, despite all those sock patterns! :)
If you've tried my Original pattern, you've probably experienced that feeling of panic and confusion that comes the first time you try it. Now I've come up with another method that's not quite so scary. This one has one solid colour around the middle with balanced stripes on each side of it (presuming you use more than one colour).
NOTE: To lessen confusion, even though it's a circular needle, the terms
used to describe its two ends will be as if it was two separate needles.
- Approx. 150 to 200 g worsted yarn (5 1/2 to 7 1/2 oz) in one two three or more colours, wool or wool blend preferred (like
Fisherman's Wool
or
Wool-Ease)
- Flexible, circular needle of suitable size,
16
to
24
inches
- Gauge: approx. 5 stitches per inch with worsted, though it's not
critical
- Cast On: Cast on at least 150 stitches, loosely. Use an invisible or similar cast on if you like, you'll be picking up stitches along this edge later on.
- Use a non curling reversible stitch, like garter stitch (knit across, turn, knit across, repeat) - for an inch (or 2 or 3). You should have a nice long, thin strip of knitted fabric when done. Cast off loosely. This strip is going to run around the centre of your scarf.
- Lay this strip horizontally in front of you. Next, you're going to fold this strip in half and twist it. Bring the upper left corner of the fabric over and down slightly to meet the lower right corner of your knitting , then, still holding this in place, flip up the (former) lower left corner to meet the upper right. Graft them together along their short edges (or sew) as neatly as possible. This creates the half twist that identifies this strip as a Moebius.
- Beginning at the join, add a marker, then pick up and knit one stitch in each stitch all along the cast on (and cast off!) edges, until you reach the point where you began (you'll go around your scarf twice). Your needle will be coiled up at this point, similar to how it probably looked in its original package. Next round, go all the way around in purl, then another round in knit, etc. (for garter stitch). Change colours every few rounds at your marked point for a nice, balanced stripe pattern.
- Continue working for at least 20 rounds or so (each round goes around the length of the scarf twice). Cast off in knit or purl (whichever the next round is supposed to be),then darn in ends as neatly as you can since this scarf has no right and no wrong side.
- And that's it - all finshed!
- Now admire your work and be sure to show it off! :)
- If you're more adventerous, you may want to try a more complex reversible stitch pattern. It must be non curling and reversible - there is no inside or outside to this scarf. It will be a loop with a half twist, which will rest against your neckline to keep you warm. It can also be doubled and tugged up over your head to keep your ears warm in colder weather.
- For a different look, you can knit your starting strip in the other direction, casting on a few stitches and working many, many rows, using a different stitch pattern if you like. If you go this route, you must pay close attention when picking up stitches for your first round so the scarf doesn't ruffle or pull in.
- Want to try an alternate knitting method? Check out my other Moebius scarf patterns - Moebius Scarf - The Original is similar to this one, while Moebius Scarf 3 is not.
- I also have a Crocheted Moebius Scarf.
- Math lovers may also want to check out my discussion of using
Math for Craft Design.
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