I went back and reviewed Whit's requirements for a scarf, from the Purl Bee Rick Rack Scarf. In the designer's words we read:
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.Working on the cream shawl, an easy and satisfying pattern, gave me a chance to really think about the design. Hint: It's a 3 row pattern. Conclusion: It's reversible, as in no right side (and no wrong side, for that matter.)
While this revelation may not be astonishing -- or even interesting -- to some readers, this very idea launched me onto a whole new knitting space. I've decided to do a couple of things to see if the exploration of this new space is both fun and rewarding.
Here's the white shawl -- no right side.
Folded the long shawl over onto itself so you could see the 'other' side. |
Now, this pattern is both easy and satisfying (and didn't I already say that?) The pattern itself is 28 stitches, and repeats itself just two times across the shawl. It's got no right side, so how would that work in a scarf?
I took the leftovers from the Bernat Mosaic Cowl and cast on 28 stitches on a US 10 1/2 needle. Here's what I've got so far.
On top of the cream shawl, the scarf pattern shows up clearly and I already know it has no right side. |
So I am on a search for patterns that create no right side, maybe have 3 or 5 rows, or maybe a 4 row pattern that will work if I eliminate the last row. This is called a knitting adventure. Please note that I do not need special shoes or boots, no special climbing gear, nothing to protect me from the elements. And please also note that the sun is shining today so I will perhaps sit IN the elements on my back deck and search for other knitting discoveries that have no right side.
I always find it fascinating with crochet when they talk about a "right" and "wrong" side when there is a 1, (sometimes 2) or 3 row repeat. I have a hard time discerning "right" from "wrong" sides in most of the things I work, unless it's shells that point a certain direction or front/back post stitches... maybe that's just me being a lefty again...
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