 For this issue, I’d like to further explore the unique Sweater Machine applications for ribbon yarns, in this case, Fabulous™, a "railroad ribbon" or "ladder" yarn from Caron International. The spaces between the “ladders” of this ribbon yarn are ideal for hanging on the needles of the machine. And since beading is so hot and since Fabulous is thin enough to thread through beads with moderate-size holes, I thought adding a beaded to the Fabulous fringe would give the loop fringe some weight.
I also tried experimenting with fringed edges and woven centers and then fringed all across. Bliss is an ideal partner for Fabulous, with the ribbon peeking through the fluff and the fringe a dramatic contrast to the Bliss background.
Since my new assistant Nancy’s favorite color is red, I thought I’d use a color I don’t normally use – and you can play with the technique ahead of the holiday season, when this scarf would be perfect.
Notes
1. I did a few woven rows before doing the fringe rows, but you can make all fringe rows if you like.
2. The scarf is made in two sections and grafted together so both beaded fringe edges will hang the same.
3. My favorite beading needle is a floss threader. They’re cheap, easy to find, flexible and work great for threading yarn through beads.
4. The term used for the open section between the “ladders” in the Fabulous is “space.”
 BEADED SCARF
Dimensions: 7” x 39”
Yarn: 2 balls Bliss, color Red; 1 ball Fabulous, color Bubble Gum
Beads: 56 each red and gold 3mm glass beads with holes large enough to thread onto Fabulous
Other: floss threader or beading needle
Gauge: Using #4 KP in Bliss, 15 sts & 19 rows = 4”
 Here’s how:
1. Thread 56 beads alternating red and gold onto an end of Fabulous.
2. Closed-edge CO 27 sts in Bliss & knit 2 rows.
3. Bring all needles up to HP.
 4. Leaving a 3” end, hook one space over the end needle.
5. Slide down the first bead to within 2” of the needle.
6. Make a 2” long loop with the bead hanging in the center and hook another space of Fabulous on the same needle.
 7. Weave the Fabulous over and under every needle to the end of the row then make another loop fringe as for Step 6.
8. Knit 2 rows Bliss.
 9. Repeat Steps 3-8 (with the exception of the 3” yarn end in Step 4) four times.
 Make fringe all across row:
10. Repeat Steps 3 -5, but hang the space for the next loop on the third needle from the end, continuing making beaded loop fringe by hanging the Fabulous space on every other needle across the row.
11. Knit 2 rows Bliss.
 12. Continue with the beaded loop fringe until there are three beaded fringe rows.
13. Knit 2 rows Bliss.
14. Knit 4 rows WY and remove from needles.
15. Turn work around so knit side is facing and knit 20 rows Bliss.
16. Repeat Steps 14 & 15 three times, ending with 4 rows WY.
Make opposite end same as above, but end with repeating Steps 14 & 15 two times and ending with knitting 19 rows rather than 20.
FINISHING
Graft scarf sections together and weave in ends. |
