Kelp Bed Scarf Pattern

2012 has zipped by at a nearly supersonic speed.  It has included landmark events and wonderful small moments.  We laughed, we cried, etc.  Seriously though, it has been amazing.  Among the top adventure highlights were visiting Death Valley, taking a hot air balloon ride over the Tucson Mountains, and especially, rafting the Grand Canyon.  (I have so many photos that getting a few on the blog just hasn't happened. As yet.)  Choosing the right knitting project for the 7-day raft trip was tricky.  It needed to be relatively uncomplicated (social knitting), pack small, require few tools, be doable in hot, sweaty weather, and provide plenty of knitting time.  I settled on knitting a simple, lacy scarf with linen yarn.  I was able to knit in camp each night and even a little on the raft (without puncturing the raft as feared by some of my co-rafters).  The pattern is one I designed several years ago.

Kelp Bed Scarf (aka One-Row Pleated Scarf)

Materials: any yarn you would like to use. The crisper and/or stretchier the yarn is, the better it will retain its accordion pleating.  For the orange scarf shown I used "Fibra Natura Flax" linen in Tangerine.
Needles: Not too critical, but sized to knit your yarn somewhat loosely  (I used U.S. 7)

Cast on a multiple of 5 + 1 (For my orange scarf I cast on 31ss.)
EVERY ROW:   *K3, YO, P2tog* repeat to last stitch, K1
Continue until you reach desired length, get bored, or run out of yarn.   (Mine is fairly long at 80 inches.)
Cast off loosely.

Note: Do not stretch to block, unless you want to remove the pleats.

Yes, it is that easy!  The resulting fabric is self-pleating, giving a great drape when wrapped around the neck.  I am currently using the same stitch pattern to make a stole out of Kid Silk Haze.  It has a completely different look - entirely soft, light and floaty instead of the crisp pleating of the linen yarn.  I'll post a picture when I am further along.

I am super thrilled with the way this scarf feels and drapes.  Despite having a closet-full of scarves, this is now my favorite.

Happy knitting!!