2007 Scarf Pattern

It’s 12 minutes before 5pm and I’ve just barely beat my self-assigned deadline of getting a new pattern together by the end of the month.  I had some amazing help from the wonderful people at the Garden District Needlework Shop, particularly Sally, here in

New Orleans

.  My co-worker Rachel, my partner in yarn, is a crocheter and has put together a really neat “V” crochet pattern as well that I’ll be debuting shortly.  So, I’m going to sign out for the weekend with a feeling of completion for getting my very first pattern (well, with lots of advice from more seasoned knitters) out to you.  Enjoy!

Download pdf at http://www.nationalww2museum.org/education/2007scarfpatternkit.pdf

Comments

[Nina Triche]

yay! so impressed with the scarf turnout! (and that you got the pattern out so quick!)

[Inky]

I am sooo glad to know that this program is on again. V for Victory is great and I have some perfect yarn for it in my stash. You can be sure I'll be participating again this year!!

[Norma ~ Sacramento, California]

We are thrilled that the 55 scarves knitted by the "Orofino, Idaho Knitters" have made it to their intended veterans. :) What a valuable service this is for our beloved vets. Norma Nicol Hsmilton, Coordinator "Knit Your Bit", American WW II Orphans Network (www.awon.org)

[Ruth Darling]

Would like to know where I can get olive drab or khaki yarn. Must it be wool? I usually use Red Heart yarn.
Are there accepable colors in this yarn? Thank you.

[Carolyn Layne]

I am anxious to do the Victory scarf, however, I am fairly new to knitting. I have a question about the pattern. It says repeat* until there are 10 rows stockinette stitch. Does that mean repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 10 rows left to knit and then knit the last 10 in stockinette? Later in the pattern it says "continue rows 1 & 2 until you are approximately six inches from desired end length. Also, what is a REVERSE V pattern?

The pattern may seem elementary to you, but to someone new to knitting, maybe it needs to be a little more detailed.

Thanks for tutoring me on this.

[Carolyn Layne]

I am anxious to do the Victory scarf, however, I am fairly new to knitting. I have a question about the pattern. It says repeat* until there are 10 rows stockinette stitch. Does that mean repeat rows 1 and 2 until there are 10 rows left to knit and then knit the last 10 in stockinette? Later in the pattern it says "continue rows 1 & 2 until you are approximately six inches from desired end length. Also, what is a REVERSE V pattern?

The pattern may seem elementary to you, but to someone new to knitting, maybe it needs to be a little more detailed.

Thanks for tutoring me on this.

[suzan anderson]

Carolyn, I am sure you will get lots of answers to your questions. Here is a little bit to hopefully help clear up some confusion. First, I get a lot of information from comparing the picture to the directions. So you know that there are 5 rows of garter stitch and that on the beginning and end of every row you will knit regardless of which side you are on to keep the garter border. Now, the way I see this is I would knit rows 1 and 2 five times and that should give me 10 rows of stockinette stitch. (If it is not long enough, (see the picture) I would knit more until I liked it.) Move into the pattern for the "V". Do exactly what it says and keep a pencil to mark off the rows so you don't get lost. After you have finished that, go back to rows 1 and 2 until the scarf is about as long as you want it. Last year's scarf was 48 - 60" long. I think 48" is good for a man, especially if he is in a wheelchair. So I will stop rows 1 and 2 at about 40" from the beginning and then start to reverse the "V" by reading the pattern backwards and starting with row 23. Remember that all the even rows are knit the purls and purl the knits with the exception of the borders which always stay the same. Work the pattern backwards, then do rows 1 and 2 five times, knit 5 rows of garter stitch and give yourself a great big hug.

[Cynthia Swett]

One comment about keeping track of rows on the patterns that you knit. Instead of writing on the pattern, I use a post-it to mark the rows, placing it just below the row I am currently working on. I can also make notes on the post-it about counts or other things.

[B. Bledsoe]

I'm having trouble with the scarf 'curling' even after I have pressed it. I slip the first stitch on each row to make a smooth edge, have tried larger needles but nothing works. What am I doing wrong? Thks for any comments that will help.

[Barney]

I love the scarf! I am in the process of getting a group together to make approx. 200 scarves to be ready to ship out in the fall of 2008. I would like to have to scarves sent to our troops that are currently serving in other countries. Is there any contact information that you can pass along to me as to where I can send the scarves, what dimensions the scarf should be and what exactly they should be made of. There seems to alot of controversy about wool verses synthetic. I have heard that only wool would be accepted for the troops currently serving because of safety issues.
Also, I would like the participants to be able to put labels with their names on each scarf. Are there any regulations concerning this? If you would please forward any information I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you
Barney

[Suzanne]

Like Barney, I'd like to send something to the troops currently fighting in Iraq, Afganistan, etc too. Is there anything different that be required? Do you also send things overseas to our current troops?

Suzanne

[Sue Ann]

May I ask which brand/color that I should buy for the WONDERFUL scarf?
I am a "new" knitter but am able to do this wonderful scarf!
Thank you for your appreciation for our troops!
SAT

[Cira]

I have found the Vanna's Choice yarn by Lion Brand to be an excellent yarn choice for these scarves. The yarn comes in a very nice khaki green color, as well as a great navy blue. The yarn is also reasonably priced and is often on sale at Michael's and Hobby Lobby. Although not as inexpensive, it is easier on the hands during knitting than Red Heart.

I have also incorporated the suggestion of using seed stitch on the ends and edges. I used one size smaller needle on the ends and knit 7-8 rows (depends on your tension) of seed stitch before beginning the stockinette and "V" pattern. I do this to "square" the corner and make the edges the same size/width as the sides. The five edge stitches on either side are also knit in seed stitch.

Thank you for the lovely patterns and the opportunity to knit for our service men. My father was a WWII veteran and I do this to honor him - and all of the other veterans that care for and protect our freedoms.