Crompton - Simple Knits: Hats & Scarves

2 3oz/100g hanks of bulky-weight (chunky) multi-colored wool/silk mix yarn (131yd/120m per hank) in orange/green mix

One pair size 10(7mm)

One size H/8 (5mm) crochet hook

Piece of cardboard 9in (23cm) wide

5in 64in (13cm 162cm) (excluding tassels)

14 sts and 24 rows to 4in (10cm) measured over garter stitch (every row k) using size 10 (7mm) needles

Garter stitch is an ideal stitch to use for scarves because it looks the same from both sides, and it lies nice and flat instead of curling in at the edges.

Choose a yarn that features long lengths of color that are enough to knit two or three rows. Choose balls that start with different colors and knit them in two-row stripes. The color mix for each ball may be the same, but by using two balls that begin in different places in the color sequence, a fantastic random stripe effect is created.

Label one ball A and the other ball B.

Using size 10 (7mm) needles and A, cast on 18 sts loosely and knit 2 rows.

Join in B and knit 2 rows.

Bring A in front of B and knit 2 rows with A.

Bring B in front of A and knit 2 rows with B.

Cont in garter stitch, working 2 rows in A then 2 rows in B, always bringing the new yarn in front of the old at the beg of the row to keep the edge neat, until scarf measures 64in (162cm) long.

Bind off loosely.

Wrap the yarn loosely around the piece of cardboard. Cut the wrapped strands at the bottom and remove the cardboard.

Take two lengths of yarn and fold in half. Using the crochet hook, pull the strands through the edge of the scarf from front to back by catching the fold with the hook. Pass the ends through the folded loop and pull to tighten the knot.

Space each bunch of strands evenly along the short edges of your scarf.

This rib-stitch pairing of a chunky fringed scarf and pretty flower-trimmed hat is sure to keep out the winter chills.