Ruched Scarf

Here's a quick scarf project I made on the plane to and from New York a couple of weeks ago. I used some stash yarn --- leftover handpainted Koigu and Berrocco Palace yarn from my mom's Knit One Below vest. By the way, she said she really likes her vest and has worn it several times to show off to her friends (although I guess one person thought it could be a bit longer). Critics everywhere!



The ruching technique is really easy once you get the hang of it. Here are the key points:

1. Choose two yarns of differing weights to ensure you get a nice "gathered" effect. The Koigu I used is a fingering weight and the Berrocco is a DK weight (an aran weight would have worked well also).

2. Use two needle sizes, one that you would normally use for the lighter weight yarn and one for the heavier weight yarn. But, in this pattern, you use the smaller needles with the heavier yarn and the larger needles with the lighter yarn --- this allows you to achieve the ruched look.

3. The stitches used are garter (for the heavier weight yarn) and stockinette (for the lighter weight yarn).

Here's the pattern:

Finished measurements
Width: 6.5 inches
Length: 40 inches (or as long as you want to make it)

Yarn and Notions
2 skeins of Koigu premium merino or other fingering weight yarn, 50 g/175 yards for each skein
1.5 skeins of Berrocco Palace wool/silk or other DK weight yarn, 50 g/103 yards for each skein
Size 7 needles
Size 2 needles

Construction
1. Using smaller needles and DK weight yarn, cast on 30 stitches.
2. Work garter stitch (knit every row) for 4 rows.
3. (RS) Switch to larger needles and attach fingering weight yarn. Knit 1 stitch, then knit in front and back of each stitch across until the last stitch. Knit the last stitch. This increases the number of stitches for the fingering weight band, which helps to achieve the ruched look.
4. (WS) Purl across.
5. Knit the RS rows and purl the WS rows for next 4 rows. Be sure to carry the unused yarn (in this case, the DK weight yarn) along the edge of the scarf so the yarn is in the correct position to create the DK weight band.
6. (RS) Switch to smaller needles and the DK weight yarn. Knit 1 stitch, then knit 2 stitches together across until the last stitch. Knit the last stitch. This decreases the number of stitches for the DK weight band.
7. (WS) Knit across.
8. Knit the next 2 rows. Be sure to carry the unused yarn (in this case, the fingering weight yarn) along the edge of the scarf so the yarn is in the correct position to create the fingering weight band.
9. Switch to the larger needles and the fingering weight yarn. Knit 1 stitch, then knit in front and back of each stitch across until the last stitch. Knit the last stitch. Continue in stockinette stitch for the next 5 rows to have a total of 6 rows of stockinette.
10. Switch to the smaller needles and the DK weight yarn. Knit 1 stitch, then knit 2 stitches together across until the last stitch. Knit the last stitch. Continue in garter stitch for the next 3 rows to have a total of 4 rows of garter.
11. Continue in pattern (#9 and #10) until the scarf is as long as you like.
12. End with a DK weight band. Bind off all stitches. Weave in any ends.
13. Done!

Copyright Information
All content, including text, photos, images and graphics, are copyright and property of j.kaori designs. This pattern is for personal use only, and may not be used to produce items for sale and may not be reprinted elsewhere.