Easy Knitting

By Gwen Deem, Murwullimbah, NSW.

My husband and friends call me a knitaholic and that’s fine with me as I do love to knit. I sell my knitting and all the money goes to the Fred Hollows Foundation, which helps treat and prevent blindness.

My mum taught me to knit when I was only four years old. Mum was a really good knitter, but never learnt to follow knitting patterns. Consequently the little jumpers she made for her many grandchildren would not fit over their heads. So the task to unpick the necks and make them bigger fell to me once I could read the pattern.

There are some items that don’t need a detailed pattern and can be easily finished in a short time. And they look good.

This scarf is a good seller and very simple to knit as it’s all in garter stitch (the easiest) and there are no increases or decreases. Ideal for a beginner. It measures 13cm wide by 30cm long.

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You need the long needles in size 5.5mm or 6mm, and 8-ply yarn.

Tension is not important as long as you use the right needles and yarn. I knit this scarf in different yarns, but I find buyers prefer a natural yarn like wool or alpaca rather than acrylic. Acrylic is the cheapest yarn and can be washed in the washing machine whereas the more expensive natural yarns must be handwashed. However acrylic releases plastic microfibres when being washed.

scar F Pattern

In garter stitch cast on 185 stitches. Then the whole scarf is knitted in garter stitch.

The scarf takes 22 rows before casting off. A useful tip is to check as you finish each row to make sure the end stitch is taut and not loose. This gives neat edges.

I usually fringe each end but it’s not essential.

To make the fringe, use 4 strands of yarn in 28cm lengths.

This scarf is a great way to use up lengths of leftover yarn because it makes interesting horizontal stripes.

Beanie Pattern

For a matching beanie, cast on 85 stitches and rib in 1 plain, 1 pearl for 8 rows. Then garter stitch for 18cm or length required.

To start shaping, follow each decrease row with a row of garter stitch.

The first decrease row: knit 10, knit 2 together, and repeat that to the end of the row. Then decrease in alternate rows with one stitch less at each decrease.

When there are 12 stitches on the needle leave a long length of yarn then cut it off and thread it through the stitches. Pull the yarn firmly and make a few stitches to secure it, and sew the seam. T