Happy June! It’s hard to believe we’re about embark on a new season of Confident Knitting, and we’ve got a real showstopper of a pattern to jump start our summer of learning. I’m ever so pleased to unveil our fourth Confident Knitting pattern, the dazzling Patina Scarf by Jeanette Sloan!
Jeanette’s created a real stunner of a scarf. One that is sure to brighten a dreary winter day, but that’s not heavy enough to be too oppressive to knit should you find yourself in the middle of a June heatwave (I wish!). A clever slipped stitch pattern gives the scarf a woven appearance and works with the subtle shifts of a gradient yarn in a really pleasing way. It provides the perfect base for trying out this month’s featured technique: embroidering your knitting. And Jeanette’s even added a practical deep hem, which does double duty: hiding the wrong side of your embroidery and providing a handy way of ‘fastening’ your scarf.
Embroidery on knitting is really having A Moment, but I have to admit, it’s a technique I’ve always found a little intimidating. But Jeanette’s design has completely converted me to the technique...
The amount of embroidery is so manageable, and, while it looks complex, is made up of just three types of stitches. The result is really spectacular! Spending the time to learn the skill will really pay dividends, both when you’re cheerily wrapped up in your lovely embellished scarf and when you want to jazz up your next plain mittens, hat or even jumper!
For this design, Jeanette’s used two Schoppel Yarns with really breathtaking effect. Two skeins of DK-weight Schoppel Gradient make up the body of the scarf. This single-ply, semi-felted merino wool is really one of a kind, and its long, slow colour shifts work so well. The embroidery is done using two strands of a Zauberball, giving you a whole heap of complementary colours to work with all in one skein, though you could of course, put remnants to good use here instead.
There’s so much scope for creativity and customisation in this month’s project, so we are really looking forward to seeing what you come up with! As always, we are hosting a knitalong over in The Knitalong Hub. Any project that involves embroidering your knitting is welcome. And if the Patina Scarf has taken your fancy, you can purchase Confident Knitting in the online shop. When you do, you’ll receive all four patterns + supporting photo tutorials released to date, and the remaining eight patterns as they are released. We also still have Confident Knitting Summer Yarn Kits, which will give you all the yarn you need for the Patina Scarf + the to-be-unveiled July and August projects…