It’s so easy to take the ones we love for granted. This autumn, my husband came home from the doctor’s with potentially scary news. All of a sudden, I realized that he might not always be there, healthy and energetic, my rock to rely on. Further medical investigations calmed our worries. But they did not suppress my urge to show him how much I love him. And how does a crocheter show her husband she loves him? By crocheting him something of course!

The result was this scarf in cashmere and wool. I crocheted in secret, and gave it to him for his birthday. And yes, he loves it.

• Yarn: Phildar Laine/Cachemire (65 yards/60 meters per 0.88 oz/25 grams), black 5 balls, grey 3 balls, red 2 balls (1 if you don’t make a fringe), off-white 1 ball.
• Hook: 5 mm (US H-8). A hook one size larger for the fringe.
• Notions: Piece of cardboard for fringe.

Excluding fringe: 9.5 x 52 inches / 24 x 132 cms

18 stitches and 23 rows = 4x4 inches/ 10x10 cm

This scarf is worked lengthwise. When crocheting the foundation chain, I suggest you place a marker in at least every 50th chain. This will save you time when counting.

In the pictures (and in real life), my husband wears the scarf folded double. Warm, comfortable and cozy! This is why you only see one of the two colour repeats that make up the width of the scarf.

The yarn I used can be hard to find in many countries. Please substitute at will, adapting number of stitches and number of rows. This stitch patterns lends itself to wonderful colourplay. Do experiment!

Stitch pattern: Granite stitch

It has occurred to me that while we often play Santa or other generous holiday characters we rarely play Cupid to anyone but our most favorite person. I designed these ‘One and The Other’ scarves to be a quick and personal gift for a favorite couple. Now you may be thinking “But I’m in my favorite couple.” That’s just fine too, but I encourage you to share the love this Valentine’s Day by planning a surprise for a couple you admire or a pair of best friends.

These scarves are worked in a simple pattern of chains and single crochet: easy but substantial. They’re so distinctly non-lumpy that knitters will wonder what they’re missing. One is wider with four main colors and four accent colors. The Other is a bit thinner and reverses the color scheme. I was inspired by Japanese newlyweds who often wear harmonizing outfits to emphasize their new togetherness. So in celebration of people who aren’t afraid to color-coordinate with each other I give you Vice Versa!

• Eight skeins of worsted weight yarn of any soft kind. (92meters/50grams per skein) Choose four main colors for One and four main colors for The Other, making sure they coordinate for use as accents too. (Of course you can adapt the stripes to any combination/number of colors you choose.)
• Size F/5 (3.75mm) crochet hook
• Scissors

One: 17cm x 174cm, The Other: 13.5cm x 174cm

21st/10cm (4in), 17rows/10cm (4in) in pattern (sc1, ch1)

This pattern uses US notation
ch = chain
sc = single crochet

Edges

Changing Colors

The Very Simple Pattern:

One (shown on Peter)