Free Pattern for Feather and Fan Scarf - This is a simple lace pattern that has 1 Thinking Row for every 3 Resting Rows and therefore makes an excellent project for your first lace knitting endeavors.

This pattern requires a multiple of 18 stitches so let me walk you through the math. You need two repeats of the pattern so 18 + 18 gives you 36. Plus you need 2 stitches on each side which adds to 4. So 36 + 4 = 40.

Cast on 40 stitches using the knitting on method of casting on which results in a fairly firm edge

Slip the first stitch as if you were going to knit it…then knit to the end of the row. Repeat this row 4 more times.

I always slip the first stitch of every row when I am knitting unless there is a very good reason not to, which there usually is not, because it gives you a firmer and straighter edge.

Feather and Fan Scarf Pattern Repeat

Row 1 (Right Side) Slip 1, Knit to end of row

Row 2 (Wrong Side) Slip 1, Knit 1, Purl until you get to the last 2 stitches, Knit last 2 stitches

Row 3 (Right side) Slip 1, Knit 1, * (Knit 2 together) 3 times, (yo, Knit 1) 6 times, (Knit 2 together) 3 times * Repeat the portion between the **s once; Knit last 2 stitches.

Row 4 (Wrong Side) Slip 1, Knit to end of row

Repeat these 4 rows until the scarf is as long as you want it or you are almost out of yarn. I personally believe that a scarf cannot be too long, but preferences differ. End with Row 4.

Slip 1, Knit to the end of the row 5 more times and then bind off, trying to match the tension, more or less, with that at the beginning of the scarf. You will notice that both ends of the scarf are scalloped, but not in exactly the same way. In fact they will fit into each other like jigsaw puzzle pieces, a fact that I have used to amuse myself in idle moments when I did not have any knitting handy.

The yarn I used to knit the scarf in the picture is a lovely wool/alpaca blend that you can purchase on my website www.marthamarques.com A 4 oz. Skein will make a scarf, and 8 oz skein would make a lovely shawl, just add 18 more stitches when you cast on (total of 58) and do one more repeat of the pattern.

Generally speaking the principles of yarn choice when you are knitting lace is that light color, smooth texture, shine, and large needles in proportion to the yarn all enhance the appearance of lace. I call these principles rather than rules because you can bend or break a few of them and the lace will still work. This particular yarn is a beautiful soft white, fairly smooth (and really soft), not shiny at all, and is a worsted weight. I used a lovely set of size 7 birch wood needles that have hand painted Russian wooden beads on the ends (also on www.marthamarques.com if you want your own pair). This is not a very big size for this thickness of yarn, but I am a very loose knitter. Use whatever size needle you need to get a nice feel to your work. Using the wool/alpaca blend and size 7 needles I got a scarf 8 inches wide, so a gauge of 5 stitches to the inch. If you happen to be a tight knitter use a larger needle size. But do try to learn to knit loosely. It will make your entire life more relaxing.