Happy Monday dear T.H.R.I.V.E. Association family! We have one of our much anticipated patterns for you today.
As many of us know from personal experience, sometimes the additional material in a traditional scarf can either get in the way or create a working hazard, especially if you can’t tuck the ends into a jacket (e.g. working with power tools, etc). However, going without that extra layer of protection around your neck is unfeasible during the colder seasons and regions as it can be detrimental to our health (or in T.H.R.I.V.E. Association’s case, the health of our veteran community!). One way to get around this, while still having the warmth, comfort, and protection of a scarf is a gaiter. These are great garments! They work up quickly and are a lot of fun to make! Also, they are truly treasured by the veteran and/or the veteran dependent who receives them.
Since 2022, T.H.R.I.V.E. Association has been gradually integrating gaiters in our offered gifts to the Stand Downs that we serve. We have found that they are not only popular, but they are in great demand! This is especially true among the veterans and their dependents that are going to work in the trades, warehouses, etc.
This is an intermediate pattern, so there is no pressure if you don’t feel comfortable working out of your comfort zone. However, if you would like to create this garment as a gift for one of our veterans and/or a veteran dependent, please know that T.H.R.I.V.E. Association staff are here to answer any questions that you may have about this pattern. Please feel free to reach out to our office, and one of our dedicated staff will be glad to answer any questions or concerns that you may have.
Please read all notes and instructions BEFORE attempting this pattern.
Notes:
It is especially important to use the Italian Twisted Cast On (CO) for this garment as it provides both an invisible CO edge as well as the much needed stretch for the veteran or veteran dependent recipient to safely and comfortably fit the garment over their respective head.
It is equally important to use a sewn bind off for this garment for the same reason. It is essential for these gaiters to have a lot of stretch to accommodate the multiple sizes of the veteran community that we serve.
This garment is knit tighter than the average gauge. With that, it is crucial to knit a gauge swatch before starting and you should check your gauge while knitting this garment to ensure that you get optimal results.
Like any other patterns that are worked in the round, we do recommend casting on an additional stitch that will be passed over the initial CO stitch to ensure a jogless join.
Abbreviations:
CO= Cast On
BO= Bind Off
K= Knit
P= Purl
Sts= Stitches
PM= Place Marker
Rnd= Round
Rep= Repeat
Size: One size fits most
Materials:
Hiya Hiya Sharps Circular Needles Size 5.5 mm= US Size 7: Length 16 in (40 cm) or size needed to obtain gauge
Caron Simply Soft (Worsted Weight) Black
Darning needle
Stitch Marker
Gauge:
18 sts and 24 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in stocking stitch.
Pattern:
With circular needles, CO 91 stitches using the Italian Twisted CO.
Join in the round making sure not to twist. (Remember to pass the last stitch of the CO over the first stitch of the CO. 90 sts) PM for the beg of the rnd.
Rnd 1: *K1. P1. Rep from * around.
Rep Rnd 1 (K1. P1.) ribbing until the garment measures 8 inches (20.2 cm) from the CO edge.
Note: Since this garment is worked in the round, there is no “back” of the garment. You are only working the “front” (i.e. there is no turning). So, K the K sts, and P the P sts.
BO using a sewn BO.