The Neon Shawl

I crochet very fast and never have a problem finishing something quickly or getting my orders out on time!

This does, however, make me a very, very bad blogger!     Once my hands get going I forget to take photos or write down the pattern.   At this stage there are almost 60 patterns on my to-do list.   

One of my resolutions for 2015 is to work through THOSE old patterns (and ideas) before I allow myself to come up with anything else (not sure how much success I will have there - but I am determined to persist!!!)

The Neon Shawl is something I made in OCTOBER 2013.     It is one of those practical pieces that matches with most of my casual clothing - and it is just perfect to drape around the shoulders while socialising outside at night!  

The Neon effect is achieved by alternating colour stripes between dark grey and black stripes.     Very simple!      You can use any DK acrylic!    The colours do not need to be an exact match, and you will find that most brands stock colours similar to the ones I used.

The pattern is exactly the same as the Cosmos Fields Shawl (apart from the stripe composition and edging) - so here goes:

THE NEON SHAWL PATTERN


Yarn:    100% Acrylic DK

Colours: Black,  Dark Grey,  Pink, Bright Pink, Peach, Red, Lemon, Lime, Mint, Jade, Aqua, Turquoise, Baby Blue, Lilac

Special Stitch

Picot:    A picot is formed by crocheting 3ch then sl st into the top of the last dc

Stripe Composition:
Rows 1 - 4 Dark Grey
Row 5 - Pink
Rows  6 - 7 Dark Grey
Rows 8 - 9  Black
Row 10  Bright Pink
Rows 11 - 12 Black
Rows 13 - 14 Dark Grey
Row 15 Peach
Rows 16 - 17 Dark Grey
Rows 18 - 19 Black
Row 20 - Red
Rows 21 - 22 Black
Rows 23 - 34 Dark Grey
Row 25 Lemon
Rows 26 - 27 Dark Grey
Rows 28 - 29 Black
Row 30 Lime
Rows 31 - 32 Black
Rows 33 - 34 Dark Grey
Row 35 Mint
Rows 36 - 37 Dark Grey
Rows 38 - 29 Black
Row 40 Jade
Rows 41 - 42 Black
Rows 43 - 44 Dark Grey
Row 45 Aqua
Rows 46 - 47 Dark Grey
Rows 48 - 49 Black
Row 50 - Turquoise
Rows 51 - 52 Black
Rows 53 - 54  Dark Grey
Rows 55 Baby Blue
Rows 56  Grey
Row 57 Lilac
Rows 58 - 63 Black


Hook:   5.50mm 

Foundation & Rows 1 - 55 Follow the pattern for the COSMOS FIELDS SHAWL (using the above stripe composition) repeating the last row twice more for Rows 56 - 57.

Border:

Rows 58 - 59 (follow the pattern for Rows 56 - 57 of the Cosmos Fields Shawl)

Row 60 - 62:   4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch), 2dc into 1ch sp;  [3dc (3dc group) into space before next dc group] repeat this until you reach the point (corner);    (3dc, 3ch, 3dc) into corner 3ch;  [3dc (3dc group) into next 3ch space] repeat this to the end of the row - working 2dc; 1ch, 1dc into the chain space at the end of the row 

Edging:  3ch (counts as 1dc), (1dc, picot, 1dc into 1ch space at start of row);  (sl st into space before next dc group;   2dc, picot, 1dc into same space as sl st] repeat this until you reach the point (corner);    (sl st into corner 3ch;   2dc, picot, 1dc into same space as sl st);  (sl st into space before next dc group;   2dc, picot, 1dc into same space as sl st) repeat this to the last 3 stitches and sl st into the 1ch space at the end of the row 

(We are now going to do the base edging - the longest side of the triangle which is formed as you do your rows) Into same 1ch space work 3hdc;  sl st into side of first dc post, (2ch, 1hdc, sl st into side of next dc post) repeat to last dc post, 3hdc, sl st into top of 3ch at start of row to end.

The Road Trip Scarf: Getting Started

A few crocheters seem to be having a bit of difficulty with the triangle concept for the ROAD TRIP SCARF – so this version is written with more detailed explanations on how to start, getting from row to row, and some useful notes, etc, so that EVERYBODY on the planet can have a Road Trip Scarf!!!

The pattern as written (over 34 rows) is designed to be worked in a 100% acrylic variegated yarn (100g / 300m) in DK (8ply /light worsted weight).   However, the stitch composition is very uncomplicated - making the pattern suitable for both variegated and solid colour yarns!

Various yarn blends also work well with this pattern – 100% merino (wool), acrylic/wool blends and “soft” cottons.

Thinner yarns may be used – just keep repeating the pattern row (Row 3) until you reach the required size.     Always make sure you end on an even number of rows before starting your edging!

Thicker yarns may also be used, although I would not recommend using anything heavier than Aran (10ply / worsted weight), unless you are going to make the scarf substantially bigger.

The scarf is worked seamlessly (in one piece) as a single triangle from the top to the bottom - your first row being the top of the shawl which will lie at the base of your throat, and the last row which will drape over your chest.


Notes:

Right Side / Wrong Side:     We will talk about every odd row as the right side (eg, rows 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 etc are the right side);    and every even row as the wrong side (eg, rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 etc)

Side Increases are made at the beginning AND end of every row.   The increase of 2dc at the beginning of a row is made into the 1ch space at the end of the previous row.    The increase of 2dc at the end of the row is made into the 4ch loop which is formed at the start of the previous row (you will note that at the beginning of a row I say that the 4ch counts as 1dc, 1ch, so this  is not "seen" as a 4ch loop when working the next row but as a 1ch space and then 1dc at the very end of the row - when writing the pattern I will NOT say to crochet into the 4ch loop at the end of the row - I DO say to crochet into the 1ch space at the end of the row   

The Point (or corner) is formed in your very first row (2dc, 3ch, 2dc).     Throughout the shawl you will work 1dc, 3ch, 1dc into the 3ch space from the previous row.

If your increases are correct you WILL have a perfect triangle.    If the triangle pulls outward - you are increasing too much.   If the triangle pulls inward (like a kite) you are increasing too little.


Stitches:   We are using two basic stitches only for the scarf - chain (ch) and double crochet (dc) (US terms);      UK CROCHETERS will be using a treble and not a double crochet.

Rows 4 - 32:  Repeat Row 3
(this means that you repeat the pattern row you have crocheted in Row 3 - i.e. just continue to follow the pattern in the highlighted area for the next 28 Rows)

ROAD TRIP SCARF PATTERN 

SIZE:  106cm Wide;   48cm long

Foundation:   6ch

Row 1:     Into first chain (the 6th chain from your hook) [crochet 2dc, 3ch, 2dc ( this forms the point of your shawl);  now also crochet 1ch, 1dc into the same place]

(turn your work so that you are now working along the "wrong side")

Row 2:

Working up the right side of the triangle 4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch); 2dc into 1ch sp,  1ch;

skip 1dc, 1dc into next dc, 1ch;

1dc, 3ch, 1dc into 3ch sp (point), 

Working down the left side of the triangle 1ch; 1dc into next dc, 

1ch, skip 1dc; 2dc, 1ch, 1dc into space at the end of the row;   

(turn your work so that you are now working along the "right side")

Row 3:  Working up the right hand side of the the triangle 4ch (counts as 1dc, 1ch);   2dc into 1ch sp, 1ch;   skip 1dc;   (1dc into next dc, 1ch) repeat to point (this means that you crochet one dc into each dc from the previous row with a 1ch sp in between each dc) 

Into the three chain space which forms the point crochet (1dc, 3ch, 1dc);

Working down the left hand side of the triangle (1ch, 1dc into next dc)  

repeat to 2^nd last dc,

skip last dc, 1ch 2dc, ch,1dc into space at the end of the row

Rows 4 - 32:  Repeat Row 3
(this means that you repeat the pattern row you have crocheted in Row 3 - i.e. just continue to follow the pattern in the highlighted area for the next 29 Rows

I am busy working on a detailed tutorial for the EDGING as well - there is, however a video in the original blog post showing how to do the second row. 

I have also posted the video on my Zooty Owl Facebook page - for those whose browsers cannot load the video from the blog post!

The print friendly version of the pattern can be found HERE

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In 2014 when I created my Road Trip scarf I had no idea that it would be so ridiculously popular. I had a lot of requests for a longer scarf along similar lines. I finally got around to it - the result is a long “baktus style” scarf with two possible edgings. Either a frilly edge for a whimsical look or a zig-zag bobble edging. (The original Road Trip Scarf edging and trims would also work well with this design) 




The Day Trip Scarf differs from the Road Trip Scarf in that it increases steadily in length and gradually in width, whereas the Road Trip Scarf increases evenly in length and width. 

The pattern for the Day Trip Scarf is available in my RAVELRY STORE

Road Trip Scarves: Pattern

Friday I went on a little spur of the moment road trip with hubby and I wanted a fuss free project to keep me busy during the drive.   Scissors are banned on road trips as hubby is paranoid that I accidentally stab myself again (during a road trip a couple of months back I was snipping a thread, we hit a pothole, a very common occurrence on South African Roads, and I embedded the scissors in my left wrist).      While hubby was planning the route I quickly grabbed some variegated yarn, started two triangles to make "scarfy" versions of a shawl I made a few weeks ago, and popped them into my SHABBY PROJECT BAG

I managed to finish both scarves, edge them and make a few little flowers - with a few cm of yarn to spare - before we arrived back home.    Yesterday morning I sewed the flowers on with some beads and a few braids and Ta-dah!

For the greenish scarf I used 2 x 50g Elle Family Knit Classic (Courtelle) colour "Sushi" with a 4.50mm hook and a 5.00mm hook.

For the pinkish scarf I used 100g Elle Escapade DK (Acrylic) colour "Fuschia Falls"  with a 4.00mm hook and a 4.50mm hook

Spinning my wheels a bit yesterday - waiting for the ladies to finish testing the patterns for my Zooty Owl Trivets and my Dahlia Mandala - so I thought I would make another one of these while I wait.

For the brightly coloured scarf I used Elle Family Knit DK Classic (Courtelle) 2 x 50g with a 4.50mm and a 5.00mm hook.

I worked up the pattern and crocheted yet another Road Trip Scarf while making the photo tutorial

ROAD TRIP SCARF PATTERN 

  

YARN:   Elle Pullskein Print DK (100% Acrylic)  (any soft 8 ply yarn would work well)

COLOUR:  Hunter

HOOKS:  4.50mm and 5.00mm

EXTRAS:  Wooden beads

SIZE:  106cm Wide;   48cm long

(The pattern is of such a nature that you could easily make the scarf bigger - even shawl size - by just adding more rows!) 

SKILL LEVEL:   Easy 

PATTERN TERMS:   US

Using 4.50mm hook 

Foundation:   6ch

Using 5.00mm hook:

EDGING

I made a video to demonstrate this edging (no sound),
which I first used for my BABY GROOVYGHAN
 (Note:   I use single crochet for the baby groovghan and for the Road Trip Scarf I use Double Crochet!)

If you are having trouble watching the video here - I have saved it on my Zooty Owl Facebook page too - you will find it under "Photos"

NOTE:   If for some reason you are unable to view the video on this page - I have it stored on my Zooty Owl Facebook page - go to photos and then Videos

EMBELLISHMENTS 

I made 8 flowers, attaching 2 at each point and 4 randomly around the "v"

 

Attach the flowers to the scarf, with a small wooden bead as the centre of the flower

I have been messing around with my camera settings for indoor photos - the days are way too short now as we approach winter solstice.    I don't quite know what I have done but I seem to have achieved a bit of a "neon" effect?!

I LOVE variegated yarn and I LOVE these scarves!!

My elder daughter is very petite and she really feels the cold.    I made her a scarf with Colormatic Aran, and embellished it with my SUNFLOWER APPLIQUE

(A few of you lovely crafty people are having trouble getting started with the Road Trip Scarf - I have put together a little TUTORIAL WITH CLEARER PHOTOS (I used solid colour yarn - as it is sometimes difficult to see the stitches especially on smaller screens)

The print friendly version of the pattern can be found HERE 

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THE DAY TRIP SCARF

In 2014 when I created my Road Trip scarf I had no idea that it would be so ridiculously popular. I had a lot of requests for a longer scarf along similar lines. I finally got around to it - the result is a long “baktus style” scarf with two possible edgings. Either a frilly edge for a whimsical look or a zig-zag bobble edging. (The original Road Trip Scarf edging and trims would also work well with this design) 

The Day Trip Scarf differs from the Road Trip Scarf in that it increases steadily in length and gradually in width, whereas the Road Trip Scarf increases evenly in length and width.

This version can also easily be made on a day journey as a passenger. The project is small and lightweight and can be squeezed into bag, making it a wonderful “take-along” project for a journey by car, plane, train or bus.
The Day Trip Scarf is a very economical project requiring just under 300 metres or 330 yards of DK / 8ply / light worsted weight yarn.
Because the pattern works up so quickly and is so economical to make, it is the perfect end of year / Christmas gift.