This scarf was created for a friend using Estonian "lily of the valley" nupps. Before some of you have your eyes glaze over, let me say that nupps are NOT hard, but you do need to pay attention. The first invaluable tip is to knit them very loosely. Put your finger on the needle to keep the stitches loose while you are making them. The second tip is for the purl side when you are p7tog. Pull down on your work which will make your nupp stitches taut and make it easier to slide your right hand needle in. You want to get ALL 7 strands EVERYTIME and this will help you immensely. If you apply these techniques, making nupps is just another stitch and well worth it. It is a beautiful design element that shouldn't be avoided or feared. (That's my "nupp-rhymes with soup" pep talk.)
Dimensions: 7 1/2"w x 68"l, blocked
Special stitches: Nupp stitch is knit over 2 rows. RS row: K1, yo, K1, yo,K1, yo, K1 = 7 sts in 1 st. knit these very loosely. WS row (purl side): Purl 7 together.
Notes:
1)Because there is a yo on the stitch next to the nupp, use care when p7tog that you don't purl that adjacent yo into your nupp. Once you know to look for the yo, you will see it's not part of the cluster of nupp stitches.
2) The first and last 3 stitches of every row are knitted for a garter edge.
3) All even rows are purled (except those edge stitches noted above).
Materials:
US 3 straight needles
1 skein Classic Elite "Silky Alpaca Lace", 70% alpaca, 30% silk, color: Super Fine White 2416, 50g, 460 yds, Made in Peru
Using a provisional cast on in a contrasting yarn, cast on 39 sts. Knit 5 rows garter stitch. Using chart 1, knit for 12 pattern repeats ending with row 12. Knit 5 rows in garter stitch. Knit chart 2 one time. Bind off loosely. Open provisional cast on and put these sts on needle. Knit another edging from chart 2 (one repeat). Bind off loosely. Weave in ends. Soak scarf in water and block. Show it off!!
Note: While I was working on this pattern, I knitted all single decreases as K2tog (right slant decrease) just to simplify while prototyping the design. Frankly I didn't see a difference with this yarn and this pattern. I charted it properly, but I am sharing this information if that makes it easier or faster for you.
As always, I am always happy to share and give. Just remember, Roses are red, violets are blue, give credit, where credit is due. (Yeah, I made that up.)
