2023 Advent Knit-A-Long Scarf  

by Suzi Ashworth for Folkestone Harbour Yarn  

This lace scarf was designed for the 2023 Folkestone Harbour Yarn Naturally Dyed sock yarn advent knit-a-long. If you wish to knit-a-long with us using different yarns I have provided substitution details in the tools section below.

The pattern is set out in 25 parts, one for each day leading up to and including Christmas and will mention a different natural dye and lace knitting technique every day.    

Inspired by Shetland lace knitting techniques, these daily sections  are between 16-20 rows long, so just enough to knit over an evening whilst learning about a new lace stitch. If you can't knit them all in one sitting, just pick up the next day and carry on at your own pace. Tip: its best to finish an entire row before putting your work down.

The pattern is both charted and written so you can use your preferred method of instructions. A glossary of written abbreviations is below and each chart has its own symbol key.    

Please note: The printed pattern sent with the advent calendar orders unfortunately has some small errors (sorry!) so I have included an Errata section.  

Tools needed:

 1 x F.H.Y. Advent calendar with 25 x 10g sock weight yarn mini skeins, each 10g = 42m length, so approx 1,050m in 25 different colours. (Substitute with sock weight yarn of your choice that has a similar weight/length ratio).    

Size 4mm straight needles, at least 30cm long (or circulars if preferred).    

2 x stitch markers.    

Scissors or snips.  

Wool needle for sewing in ends.  

Blocking mats + pins &/or wires.     

   

Edging stitches:

This scarf is knitted over 59 stitches. 3 stitches on each side form the slip stitch edging, so the actual pattern is knitted over 53 stitches.  The edging stitches are written and charted below, and are the same at the start of every row, regardless of whether it is a right side or wrong side row.  

Edging stitches: Same for RS & WS rows.  At start of row Slip 1 purlwise, knit 2 together, yarn over. Follow lace pattern across 53 stitches. Then knit last 3 stitches before turning to start the next row.  

Knitted cast on method:  

Because of the holes lace knitting ends up being wider than standard stocking stitch so a loose/stretchy cast on is needed. If you are aware you have tight tension use needles a size up for the cast on. Written with right handed knitters in mind (apologies to any lovely lefties!).  

To start: make a slip knot and place on your left needle. A tail of 10-15cm is plenty.

Next, Put the right needle through the back of the stitch sitting on the left needle and wrap the working yarn around the right needle.

Then pull the working needle tip through in the usual way creating a new stitch on the right needle.     

Transfer this new stitch on the left needle and continue the process again until you have 59 stitches sitting on your left needle.

Written Abbreviations:

K knit P purl Rs right side of work, uneven row numbers.  

Ws wrong side of work, back of work or even row numbers.  

sl slip one stitch purlwise  

Yo yarn over. Wrap yarn once around needle. Increases by 1 stitch.  

K2tog Knit 2 stitches together. Reduces by one stitch.  

Ssk slip slip knit. Slip stitches one by one then knit both together. Reduces by 1 stitch.  

k3tog tbl Knit 3 stitches together through the back loops to make 1 stitch. Reduces by 2 stitches.  

Sl1 k1 psso Slip one stitch, knit the next stitch then pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch and drop it off the needle. This reduces by 1 stitch.  

sl2 p1 p2sso Slip 2 stitches, purl the next stitch then use the tip of the needle to pass both slipped stitches over the purled stitch and drop them off the needle. Reduces by 2 stitches.  

sl2 k1 p2sso Slip 2 stitches, knit the next stitch then use the tip of the needle to pass both slipped stitches over the knitted stitch and drop them off the needle. Reduces by 2 stitches.  

s1p, k3, psso Slip one stitch purlwise, knit the next 3 stitches normally then use the tip of the left needle to pass the slipped stitch over all 3 knitted stitches and drop it off the needles. This reduces by 1 stitch. 

k1 tbl knit 1 stitch through the back loop. This creates a decorative twist to the stitch.  

p1 tbl purl 1 stitch through the back loop. This creates a decorative twist to the stitch.  

yfwd, sl1 Move the working yarn forward so that it is infront of your work then slip one stitch from left to right before moving the yarn back to its working position.    

Turn At end of row, turn work around to start the return row.  

Day 1:   

Dye colour: Logwood Lilac. Sourced sustainably from the Logwood tree.  

Knitting Pattern: Horseshoe Lace. This is an 8 row , 10 stitch repeat which will make a decorative pointed scarf edge.

To start: Using 4mm (US 6) 30cm straight knitting needles, cast on 59 stitches using the knitted cast on method (or stretchy method of your choice). Follow the chart for 18 rows or use the written instructions below.  

Row 1: Right Side. Start of all rows, sl 1 purlwise, k2 tog, yo. Place a stitch marker to indicate the start of the lace section. K1, k2tog, k3, yo. * k1, yo, k3, k3tog tbl, k3, yo *. Repeat * to * 3 more times, then k1, yo, k3, ssk, k1, place stitch marker, k3. Turn work. (59 sts).

Rows 2, 4, 6 & 8 : WS. Sl 1, k2 tog, yo. Slip stitch marker, purl 53, slip stitch marker, knit 3 (59 sts).  

Row 3: RS. Sl 1 purlwise, k2 tog, yo. Slip stitch marker. K1, k2tog, k2, yo, k1. * k2, yo, k2, k3tog tbl, k2, yo, k1 *. Repeat * to * 3 more times, then k2, yo, k2, ssk, k1, Slip stitch marker, k3. Turn work. (59 sts).  

Row 5: RS. Sl 1 purlwise, k2 tog, yo. Slip stitch marker. K1, k2tog, k1, yo, k2. * k3, yo, k1, k3tog tbl, k1, yo, k2 *. Repeat * to * 3 more times, then k3, yo, k1, ssk, k1, Slip stitch marker, k3. Turn work. (59 sts).  

Row 7: RS. Sl 1 purlwise, k2 tog, yo. Slip stitch marker. K1, k2tog, yo, k3. * k4, yo, k3tog tbl, yo, k3 *. Repeat * to * 3 more times, then k4,  yo, ssk, k1, Slip stitch marker, k3. Turn work. (59 sts).  

Rows 9-16: Repeat pattern rows 1-8 once more.  

Row 17: RS. Sl 1, k2 tog, yo. Slip stitch marker, knit 53, slip stitch marker, knit 3 (59 sts).  

Row 18: same as row 2. (59 sts).   

 Charted pattern

Errata: errors to original pattern sent out with advents.

Day 1 – rows 1,3,5,7,9,11,13,15,17. Every 5th stitch should be k 2 tog (not knit) & every 55th stitch should be SSK (not k).