Irish Hiking Scarf, Revisited

Need a last minute scarf idea? If you're like me, you know you need one more gift to knit up. While I like the Irish Hiking Scarf that was so popular a few years back, I just didn't like the way the ends flared out. So, with that idea in mine, and wanting one that would fold under a coat, I came up with this idea, to make it in the 'seaman's scarf' manner.

Irish Hiking Scarf, Revisited

Cathy Waldie, September 8, 2008

Pattern for the Original Irish Hiking Scarf: http://www.helloyarn.com/irishhikingscarfpf.htm

(US)6 (4.0mm) needles (short straights are fine)

(US) 8 (5.0mm) needles (short straights are fine)

360 yards, worsted weight yarn (2 skeins of I Love this Cotton! used in sample)

stitch holder

chibi needle, for grafting and weaving in ends

53" x 8" finished size

C/O = Cast On
K = Knit
P = Purl
Kfb = Knit into the front and back of stitch
Pfb = Purl into the front and back of stitch
sts = stitches
IHS = Irish hiking Pattern
tog = together
B/O= Bind Off

(make 2)
With smaller needles (US) 6 (4.0mm), C/O 36 sts.
Rows 1, 3, 5: K3, (P2, K2) x7, P2, K3
Rows 2, 4, 6: P3, (K2, P2) x7, K2, P3
Row 7 (inc row): K3, P1, Kfb, K2, P2, Kfb, K1, P2, K1, Kfb, P2, K2, P1, Pfb, K2, P2, Kfb, K1, P2, K1, Kfb, P2, K3 (42 sts)

Change to larger needles (US)8 (5.omm) and follow original pattern as follows:
Knit Rows (5-8) in IHS pattern 1 time

Knit Rows (1-8) in IHS pattern 8 times

Knit Rows (1-4) in IHS Pattern 1 time, end with row 4.

Dec row for ribbed neck :
K2, P2, K2 tog, P4, P2 tog, K2, P2, K2 tog, P5, K2 tog, K1, P2, K1, P2 tog, P4, P2 tog, K1, P2, K2 (36 sts)
Scarf pieces now measures 14" in length.

Rib Knit Section:
Row 1: K3, (P2, K2) x7, P2, K3
Row 2: P3, (K2, P2) x7, K2, P3
Repeat rib Knit rows (1 and 2) 22 times, End with row #45-row 1 in pattern) for 9" of rib knit, hold first section on a stitch holder, and knit the second section to match the first section.

Return section one on larger needle and kitchener stitch (graft) both sections together.

Cut yarn, weave in ends.

(I'm still working on my grafting...)
Wrap and gift or wear and enjoy!