Striped Knit Herringbone Scarf

Probably a year ago or so, I came across the lovely Big Herringbone Cowl by The Purl Bee and was intrigued. I wanted to make it but just really didn't feel like knitting. Then, my amazing friend, Abby or LADY from the NORTH, showed up wearing it and I knew I had to make it. I had some yarn in mind from my stash, however it wasn't quite thick enough and I wasn't sure if I had enough so I modified things a bit. Originally, I was planning for it to be a cowl and started out knitting in the round, but the color changes were going in a diagonal and didn't look too great, so I switched to knitting the herringbone stitch back and forth. Then, once I finished, I just liked it better without the ends connected. I added a little linen stitch bow for a touch of femininity. All in all, I quite like the end result.

A couple of notes about this pattern, this is an advanced beginner pattern that borders intermediate. The herringbone stitch can be a little tricky at first, but once you get the rhythm down, it gets easy. If you are not understanding the written instructions for this stitch, New Stitch A Day has a nice little video demonstration. The bow is a modified version of the Not-So-Itty-Bitty Bow by Untangling Knots. I used Nature Spun sport weight yarn by Brown Sheep Company, Inc in Grey Heather and Lullaby. Also, I didn't cut my yarn as I switched colors, I just carried it from the previous color change. I know that my pattern may be confusing as I didn't take any progress photos, so if you have any questions, by all means, please shoot me an email at kitscrafts2012@gmail.com.

If you would like to make this pattern for a man, just add an extra 100sts to the cast on and don't make the bow.

Finished Size:
After blocking: approximately 40" x 5"

Gauge:
In herringbone stitch after blocking, 9sts x 7 Rows = 1.5"

Materials:
130 - 150 yards sport weight yarn (Main Color or MC)
100 - 120 yards sport weight yarn (Contrast Color or CC)
Size 13 knitting needles at 10" in length
Size 8 knitting needles
1" button 

Abbreviations:
MC = Main Color (Grey)
CC = Contrast Color (Cream)
K = Knit
P = Purl
SL = Slip Stitch
ST = Stitch
SSK = Slip, Slip, Knit
P2Tog = Purl 2 Together
K2Tog = Knit 2 Together
KFB = Knit Front and Back

Scarf Directions:
Using size 13 needles and MC, cast on 200 sts
Row 1: *SSK, dropping only the first stitch off your needle,* rep from * to last st, K
Row 2: *P2Tog, dropping only the first stitch off your needle,* rep from * to last st, P
Rows 3 & 4: Repeat rows 1 & 2, switch to CC at the end of row 4
Rows 5 & 6: Repeat rows 1 & 2, switch to MC at the end of row 4

Repeat rows 1 - 6 until you have 4 MC stripes and 3 stripes of CC, you should end on a repeat of row 4. leave stitches on size 13 needle, but use a size 8 needle to bind off using the knit 2 together method, cut yarn and weave in ends.

This scarf needs to be blocked, otherwise, it rolls in on itself.

Bow Directions:
Using size 8 needles and CC, cast on 18 sts
Row 1: *K1, SL1 with yarn in front, repeat from * across, ending with a K1
Row 2: *P1, SL1 with yarn in back, repeat from * across, ending with a P1
Rows 3 - 24: Repeat rows 1 & 2
Row 25: K2Tog across (9sts)
Row 26: P across
Row 27: K across
Rows 28 - 35: Repeat rows 26 & 27
Row 36: KFB across (18 sts)
Row 37: *P1, PL1 with yarn in back, repeat from * across, ending with a P1

Row 38: *K1, SL1 with yarn in front, repeat from * across, ending with a K1
Row 39: *P1, SL1 with yarn in back, repeat from * across, ending with a P1
Rows 40 - 60: Repeat rows 37 & 38
Bind off using the  knit 2 together method, cut yarn and weave in ends.

Turn your bow to the back. Using your size 8 needles and CC, pick up 9sts in the middle of bow, then turn to make the strap that will go around the center of the bow.
Row 1: KFB, K7, KFB
Row 2: *K1, SL1 with yarn in front, repeat from * across, ending with a K1
Row 3: *P1, SL1 with yarn in back, repeat from * across, ending with a P1
Rows 4 - 16: Repeat rows 2 & 3
Row 17: K2Tog, K7, K2Tog
Okay you can do one of two things to bind off. You can bind off regularly, then attach the end to the back of the bow, or you can do it all in one step, which is what I did. Basically, you *pick up one of the original 9sts that you picked up to start the strap, then K2Tog, repeat from * for the next stitch then slip the first stitch over the one you just made. Continue across until you have bound off all of the stitches and clip your yarn. weave in ends.

Now to the button straps. Again, on the back of the bow, pick up 6sts along one side of the center strap.
Row 1: *K1, SL1 with yarn in front, repeat from * across, ending with a K1
Row 2: *P1, SL1 with yarn in back, repeat from * across, ending with a P1
Rows 3 - 21: Repeat rows 1 & 2

Rows 22 - 24: Working in a seed stitch on either side, create a vertical button hole.
Row 25: *K1, SL1 with yarn in front, repeat from * across, ending with a K1
Row 26: *P1, SL1 with yarn in back, repeat from * across, ending with a P1
Bind off using the  knit 2 together method, cut yarn and weave in ends.

For the strap with the button attached, pick up 6sts along the other side of the center strap.
Row 1: *K1, SL1 with yarn in front, repeat from * across, ending with a K1
Row 2: *P1, SL1 with yarn in back, repeat from * across, ending with a P1
Rows 3 - 28: Repeat rows 1 & 2

Bind off using the  knit 2 together method, cut yarn and weave in ends.

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