Thursday, October 11, 2012

Cable Crazy Tube Scarf

I've spent the better part of the last year trying to find the right pattern/yarn/hook combination that would give me the ultimate tube scarf in regards to coziness and warmth.
There's plenty of cozy scarves out there, factory made and stacked high on shelves. They're great, and I may still buy one of those, one day, but I always had the thought in the back of my head that I should be able to make one  - both cheaper, and better. At least, better for me :D.
And here it is.
(this is with the top edge folded over)

This is a *real* tube scarf. Not an infinity scarf. Not a tube-infinity scarf. Just a plain old tube. Tubes are yummy.

Sorry for the phone-pic quality :-S

Hooks used: 15 mm and 10 mm
Yarn used: Super bulky acrylic in black (2 skeins at 120 meters per skein. So 240 meters total)

Stitches used: slst: slip stitch
                     sc: single crochet
                     hdc: half double crochet
                     dc: double crochet
                     fpdc: front post double crochet - yarn over, and insert hook from front to back around the post of the next dc. Yarn over again, and pull yarn back through. (you should have 3 loops on your hook) Yarn over, pull through 2 loops. Yarn over again and pull through the last two loops.

Special instructions: The piece is started without a base chain. (starting with a base chain can create tension or make the base of the piece tighter than you want it to be) Instead, it is started with a double crochet base chain. You can find instructions on how to do this here
Starting a row without a turning chain: There are a few different methods, but this one looks like it gives the best result.

(work with 15 mm hook unless indicated otherwise)
Row 1: Start with a double crochet base chain 39 dc's long (the first ch3 counts as a dc, making 40 dc total). Bring the beginning of the row around to the end, making sure it's straight, and slst into the top of the beginning ch3. (you now have a loop and can work in rounds)
Row 2: Ch3 and dc in the same loop that the ch3 originates from *OR* start with a starting dc (as linked to above) Fpdc in the next two dc's. *Dc in the next two dc's, fpdc in the next two dc's* repeat from * to * til there is only one stitch left in the round. Dc in that last stitch and then slst to the top of ch3/first dc.
Row 3-6: repeat row 2.
(IMPORTANT: make sure every fpdc you make sits on top of a fpdc of the previous row, and that there is always two dc's between every 2 fpdc's)
Row 7: (switch to 10 mm hook) ch 1, sc in same space. Sc in every stitch around. Slst into back loop of first sc (NOT ch1)
Row 8: (10mm hook) ch2, hdc into same space, hdc around in back loops only. Slst to back loop of first hdc.
Row 9: (switch back to 15mm hook) start with ch3 dc in same space, OR starting dc. Dc around in back loops only (making sure you still have only 40 stitches total, including the ch3-dc/starting dc)
Row 10:  repeat row 2 (making sure your fpdc's are still more or less directly over the fpdc's of previous rows. If they are not, adjust which stitch you start out on: I found while making the scarf that my starting point had moved so that I had to do a starting dc, and then a second dc before going into the two fpdc's. The basic point is making sure the fpdc's always stay in a straight line, directly over each other and that there are always two normal dc's between every set of two fpdc's)
Row 11-14: repeat row 10
Row 15: repeat row 7
Row 16: repeat row 8
Row 17: repeat row 9
Row 18 & 19: repeat row 10
Rows 20, 21, & 22: repeat rows 7, 8, & 9. Fasten off

Final row: turn the piece upside down (you will be working along the bottom edge). Attach the yarn in any chain space from the original double crochet base chain (It's a good idea to attach it just before the beginning/end of the original dc base chain. ) ch 1 and sc in the same space. Sc around. Slst to first sc, fasten off and weave in ends.

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