Collarette Neck Warmer Pattern

in (almost) whatever wool you have to hand

Materials

2 knitting needles. The needle size depends on the weight of your wool.
    For 8 ply wool, use 4mm or 3.75mm. (UK: No 8 or 9)
    For 6 or 4 ply wool, use 3.25mm or 3.75mm. (UK: No 9 or 10)


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It really doesn't matter what size needle you use, as long as your fabric is loose. A fabric too firm will feel hard on your neck - you want something soft and pliant. Wool heavier than 8 ply will be too heavy. Save your heavier wools for your rugby scarf - pattern soon!

  • I needed less than one ball of 50gm in 6 ply.
  • Crochet hook optional for a crochet edging. I did this but really it wasn't necessary. You could do the edging if you wanted a contrasting colour edge. I have done one all in black and another all in green, so the edging didn't show.

    Measurements

    The length and width of your garment will depend on the weight of your wool. Mine came out about 87cm, using a 6 ply wool and No 8 needles.

    Once you see how long the first section is, you can decide when to stop the second section and start on the third - so you can make it whatever length you want. Remember that some of its appeal is that it's just a wee thing for your neck, so you won't want great long tails hanging down your chest or back!

    How it Looks

    This makes a lovely light collarette to wrap round your neck, and it is so fine you can tuck it in against your skin, or over the collar of your blouse and under your coat or jacket. It's not bulky and there are no long ends to make ugly bumps in your clothes.

    Directions

    Starting - These are your foundation rows:

    Cast on 2 stitches
    Row 1 Knit 2
    Row 2 Knit 2
    Row 3 Increase in first stitch, then knit 1
    Row 4 Knit 1, Purl 1, Knit 1
    Row 5 Increase in first stitch, then Purl 1, Knit 1
    Row 6 Knit 1, Purl 1, Knit 2
    Row 7 Increase in first stitch, then Knit 1, Purl 1, Knit 1
    Row 8 (Knit 1, Purl 1) to last stitch, then Knit 1

    First Section - This makes your triangular end.:

    Row 1 Increase in first stitch, then (P1 K1) to the end
    Row 2 (K1, P1) to last 2 stitches, K2
    You can see that what you are doing is making a moss stitch pattern (called in Canada "seed stitch" or "pearl stitch") with a garter stitch border. You are also making a shape that is on the diagonal on one edge, and straight on the other.
    Row 3 Increase in first stitch, then (K1 P1) to last stitch, K1
    Row 4 (K1, P1) to last stitch, K1

    These 4 rows form the pattern. Repeat them 31 times, to form a triangle.

    Second Section - Continue Straight:

    Row 1 K1 (K1, P1) to last st, K1
    Row 2 (K1, P1) to last 2 st, K2

    Repeat these two rows until you've got about 65cm from the cast on stitches (or as long as you want it).

    Third Section - This makes your triangular end

    Row 1 Knit 2 together, then work to end keeping moss stitch pattern
    Row 2 Work to end, keeping moss stitch pattern

    Repeat these rows until there are two stitches left.

    Knit 2 together, and fasten off.

    End Notes

    I made this for my daughter Jenny, starting Law School at Victoria University in her early 30s. I bought a nice little silver bee pin at The Honey Hive, a tourist attraction outside Taupo. It took me about two days to make it, in between living!

    Enjoy, and pass on to other knitters or make for your local op-shop and     church sale.