Happy Friday to our T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family!
The scarf in this photo was made using one of our all-time favorite stitch patterns: the Double Moss stitch. The Double Moss stitch provides a beautiful texture, and the best part of all is that it is reversible! It is a relatively simple pattern, but it does take some concentration not only to the pattern but also to ensure that your tension remains consistent. The pattern for the stitch can be found below:
Materials:
Yarn: We use worsted weight, but any weight will work for this pattern
Knitting Needles: Appropriate for the weight of yarn for your project (can be found on the yarn sleeve)
Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends
Abbreviations:
CO: Cast On
Sts: Stitches
K: Knit
P: Purl
BO: Bind Off
Scarf Pattern:
Cast On in Multiples of 4 plus 2, and 2 extra for the edge stitches. In our case, it would have been 42 stitches for the pattern, plus 2 stitches for the edges, which gives us a total of 44 stitches.
CO: 44 Sts
Row 1 (Right Side): Slip the first stitch purl wise. *K2, P2, repeat from * to the last 3 sts. K3
Row 2: (Wrong Side) Slip the first stitch purl wise. *P2, K2, repeat from * to the last 3 sts. P2, K1
Row 3 (Right Side): Slip the first stitch purl wise. *P2, K2, repeat from * to the last 3 sts. P2, K1
Row 4 (Wrong Side): Slip the first stitch purl wise. *K2, P2, repeat from * to the last 3 sts. K3
Repeat rows 1 through 4 until the garment reaches the desired length; 60 inches (152.4 cm).
BO and cut yarn leaving a six inch tail. Weave in ends.
For our scarf, we used 5 mm, U.S. size 8, needles and Lion Brand Pound of Love. To ensure that the scarf would be wide enough to be used to cover both the neck and mouth of a veteran (or dependent) living in cold climates, we cast on a total of 44 stitches and worked until the piece measured 60 inches (152.4 cm).
Pro Tip: To ensure neat edges on scarves, remember to cast on two extra stitches for the edges. For patterns such as the Double Moss Stitch, slip the first stitch purl wise and knit in pattern until the last stitch. Knit the last stitch and then turn your work. Do this for every row until you reach the desired length.
Please make sure that any donated scarves are at least 60 inches (152.4 cm) in length so that the wearer can wrap it around themselves comfortably. Also, remember that the dear veterans and their dependents prefer dark colors, e.g. blue, black, green, grey, and all-time favorite, camouflage. We cannot emphasize this important point enough; please do not use sparkly or overly decorative yarns. While they have their place, they are simply inappropriate for the veterans and their dependents (including children because of choking hazards).
Although several of the Stand Downs that we support have been postponed or have had to be altered to keep our communities safe in this current pandemic, we are still collecting goods that will be sent to the various V.A.s throughout the year so please, please keep crafting! If you are not a crafter, but would like to help, there are still many ways to support our cause! Please consider donating materials and/or making a monetary donation to help us cover the costs of materials, shipping, and overhead. If you need yarn, or other supplies, please contact us through email at thriveassociation@thrivevets.org or by phone at (469) 427-9654. If you have donations, we are still continuing our policy of curbside pickup. Please contact us to schedule a pickup if you are in the DFW area. If you reside outside the DFW area and would like to make an in-kind donation, please contact us to make arrangements. Remember, even one lovingly handcrafted hat can make a huge difference in the life of an underprivileged veteran or their dependent.