First comment! Woo! And as always your cats are adorable. I love the scarf, but I think I would rip back and go with the three stitch border.

I would go with two or three on the border...five is a bit wide. Pretty yarn choice!

If they have a Costco by where you live, your meds will be cheaper there, and you can get meds for animals there too. You don't have to have a membership to buy from the pharmacy.

I agree...five makes the border too wide; three would be perfect.

Maybe I should have drank some wine so I wouldn't have bought all the yarn I did yesterday; but just drinking a little would be enough. I am allergic to quite a bit of the wine out there, so just having an awful red puffy face would keep me out of the yarn store! I have the best of both worlds; it has the desired effect (keeping me out of the yarn store) and I don't have the undesired effect (hangover).

Sorry, but I agree that maybe the 5 on each side is a little too much. But it does look lovely!

Yes, I think the border is a touch too wide. If you like the width of the scarf, trade those sts for the YO k2tog sts.
You also might want to investigate short rows for the border sts. Garter stitch has a much different row gauge than the inner part of the scarf, and it'll cause the edges to pull up. You might not notice it in a swatch, but by the time your scarf gets 4 feet long, it'll make a difference. You'll probably want to add the short row (just a mini row in just the garter edge) about every two inches.
Give me a shout, yo! if you want more info.
Tracy

Ok, I agree with ya'll, I think five is just too wide for each side. Plus, I only have two balls of this yarn, so I would have had to block like crazy to get it long enough.

Thanks!!

I see I'm already in the minority, but I say the border is perfect the way it is - very bold, but that's what makes it look like a million bucks! Glad to see you knittig again

Two folks I met at my closest SnB (only a 30 min. drive!) made scarves like this...one was in a fuzzy, mohair-ish bulky yarn, the other in a sportweight (I think) on big needles, very lace-looking. Seems to be a great pattern, no matter what your yarn choice. Annnd...if I spend $$ on wine, I won't have any for yarn (Hmm. Tough call, that one...).

I wish I would have known how to do this yarnover/knit2together thing early on in my knitting education, because it's so easy but it makes plain garter stitch look pretty and more complex.

I'd go with three stitches on the side border, but that's just me. I don't like wide borders unless they're lacy (and that's not being "odd" that's being "eccentric").

I concur, 5 stitches is too wide. I would do 2 stitches on each side. Other than that, it looks fantastic! What pretty yarn.

C'mon, Laurie, please tell me you've been to the post office. . .

Helen

another vote for the three stitches on each side

I think the 5 stitches actually looks pretty good--but I live where it is freaking cold. We actually USE scarves, to keep warm and such...

Love the Lana Grossa.

I'm going with the group here and voting for a two or three stitch border. Will keep the scarf more airy, if bulky wool can be considered airy! :)

I'd go with the 3 stitch border. When are you going to France, Yo?

Beautiful wool! But I think the entire scarf needs slimming. If it were me, I would cast on 12 with three garter stitches at either end and 6 in the middle. This way, it would be just a little over half as wide as it is now. Your mileage, of course, may be different.

Hope you're feeling less puny.

My name isn't Jennifer - do you have any friend openings for a Robyn? :) The yarn you're knitting with - it looks rough - like it would scratch your skin?

Three.

I love the way it looks, but I like Tracy's logic. Seems the gauge might cause thee some problems. I'd be on your guard.

P.S. I am a Rachel and would like to apply to be your fren'. I like long walks on the beach, yarnball soccer (or futbol for our Latin friends), making fun of Madonna's butt in that Hung Up video, and burping Tupperware. I am really great in case of emergencies, like hurricanes, because I KNOW how to survive.

I am currently low on Jennifers, but I have an excess of Susans, and all variations thereof. If you'd like to trade, lemme know.

I'm with the rippers, five looks like a lot. I'd go three sts on the side, and I'd probably even out the bottom garter to match. But you, you're your own woman, do whatever floats your boat.

And the wine thing, must try that. The only problem is, I might internet shop and drink, if I can't leave when the urge hits me. That could be even worse.

Yeah, I agree with the majority and now you too...three on the sides as the sides strike me as a border and now your border is as wide as the middle. But I love the yarn and the pattern!

I told you a kabillion years ago, that I had something to send you and it is still sitting on my desk, obviously because no one procrastinates quite like me. I even bought the freakin' envelope to mail it to you, so I obviously just need to get off my ass and address the damn thing!

Applying for a Kim....

I like it like it is. Very designerish.

You are messing me up with the 10 repeated lines of "Yarn over, knit 2 together." Only 5 times, right?????

I'm with bess and Shelly...I like the 5 stitch border. It's nice and solid, in a good way, and shows off the openwork nicely.

I'm with the majority as well - - take the border down the 3.
EIGHTY degrees? I envy you....

Cool scarf! I'm sure it is more useful inside air-conditioned LA buildings than outside, but still wearable.

A friend had a comic in the LA times -- I of course thought of you and your bus riding.

http://tinyurl.com/8aom7

Luvly to see you back on the knitting front again! Hope your cold will lift soon!

I once had an abundance of Jennifer's as well. Then there were the 15(!) Roberts that I just had to cut down on. Now I'm happy to have any and all no matter what their names...I just call them by their last names.

Such chunky yarn, yeah, 3 on each side, I'm with them. Also thought that instead of adding YOs you just make it that much skinnier, which means it can be longer...and if that's the case, maybe even going down to 2 would be better if length is an issue.

I think it depends on the look you're going for...although it's not quite a "traditional" border, I think it looks good. I'm sure it would look just as pretty with only 3 st garter, but in a different way.

Hope you're feeling a little better now!

I'd go with the 3 st border as well. And if I were you, I'd give Soba to me b/c no one loves her like I do.

Love the scarf! And you always find the best yarn! But...why am I suddenly craving Cheetos?

Can I audition as a friend? I've been reading and enjoying your blog for ages and I qualify on the name at least!! I like the scarf but would go with narrowing it a tad probably knocking off one or two stitches from the edges!

I love this pattern and use it all the time... I'd go even further and get rid of the whole border. Just k1 on each side to keep the pattern together.

This is why: the end result is a marvelously flexible and stretchible fabric. A border might be too rigid at the end.

Oh Purl! Please don't further victimize the 72% of women born in the 70's with un-creative parents, forced forever to be referred to by their last names or their initials, or worse by size. ( I have been forced to be Jenny J, worse J.J., or the absolute most awful Big Jenny)

It is pretty bad when you call your closest friends who know so many Jens Jennys and Jennifers that you still have to specify which one you are.

It's a fine name, I just wish so many didn't have it. Like many Jennifers out there, and like yours I assume, I just think I am a little more original than that.

LOVIN' this scarf Laurie! I like it the way it is too, but by now you've probably frogged and my opinion won't count anyway. I agree with Shelly ... I live where it's fricken cold too. Colder than a witch's tit is the usual saying. It's snowing outside right now. Poop.

whoops, fixed the pattern..heh. cough syrup.

well seems like if you go with your noters, you will be frogging... i, too, think that 5 is a bit much... 3 would be better... but i am on a skinny scarf kick. lol. it's a lovely pattern tho! so easy, even i could do it! LOL.

Do you need a friend named Kim?

Love the yarn, hate the warm weather in February (can't California be seasonal just ONCE??) and hope you feel better soon.

Yep.. 5 is too much, 5 up and down doesn't equal 5 across... No, not crossword puzzles, knitting. Ug, I don't even have the excuse of being on cold medicine. (And I won't tell you my real name is Jennifer, just call me Risha, everyone else online does!)

(And whoa be to me, I named my eldest Brianna... darn it it WAS and original name in 1990. But she will still hate me for it! However, I did redeem myself with the youngest, but I can't tell you her name for 10 more years so that it doesn't experience a population boom as well!)

Hi Laurie, hope you are starting to feel better. I must agree with Rachel on this one. I would go no border and just make sure to knit the first stitch. I know this as "knot stitch". Regards,

Di
(in sunny, but not 80's yet, Northern California)

I love your blog! You are so inspiring and funny!
I would make the edges and the whole scarf narrower. I like my scarves long and thin, probably to balance out my short and fat body!!
Are you accepting friends named Margot (with a silent t)?

How about a Lucia? We're pretty rare, it's not likely you would collect too many.

Yeah, probably 3 would do it, but it's your scarf, after all. Actually you could make the whole scarf out of faggoting (that's the yo, k2tog, not trying to be un-PC here, I swear, that's what it's called) if you wanted to, since it's basically garter stitch with yo's and doesn't curl.

Btw I discovered accidentally a few years ago that working faggoting on needles too small for the yarn in two colors (alternating two rows per color) looks pretty good too.

Nice pattern. It's 80 degrees down there? Hey, if you wanna trade come to NorCal - it's about 60 degrees today, but at least it's sunny (no more rain for a while). Scratches to Roy and the Soba.

I figured your call for friends named Elizabeth was my sign to stop lurking. I stumbled across your site when I was learning to knit a few months ago and I just love reading it. I've also been wondering if a pattern using this exact stitch existed, and it's nice to see what it looks like. :-) Anyhow, just wanted to say hi.

Sounds like most of us are thinking the same thing - go with 3 on the side - sorry to make you rip!! Truly!

Just love your blog - it puts a smile on my face!!

DAMN THE GNOMES! after i read that, i was 'LOST' . fucking gnomes! i think they've stolen plenty of knitterly happenings .....
(hiccup) yes, agent gray is drunk before dinnertime. but, agent gray may go hiking again! (um, i'm still hiccuping ....! shit! ) (go, AT! ROCK ON CLASS OF 2006!)

Hey, look at you!!

"...to make the yarnovers nice and airy..."

"...Should I frog..."

"My co-worker Jennifer used an off-white Red Heart acrylic and it looked fantastic using this pattern, so any yarn will do."

One year ago today:

"Now that I have moved and I am safely nested away in my new little house, I can open up to a new hobby."

"She cast on the yarn for me to get me started, and then taught me the basic knit stitch while Shannon watched on. Do you have any idea how much pressure it is to knit your first stitch while people watch you? Knitting stress! Who knew?"

You've come a long way, baby. In one brief year, you have not only become a beloved phenomenon with your own blogstalkers -- you've become a bona fide KNITTER (and when appropriate a yarn snob)!

80 degees, eh? Sounds like you need to move to MINNESOTA! Where maybe we will still sorta have winter, at least for a few more years... Darn global warming. Interfering with knit-wear wearing. Pshaw.

You know, I was amused when I typed it, but when quoted, I feel much like Oscar Wilde.

*mwah*

Feel better!

And yet another individual who votes for 3 for the border. I too live in SoCal, and am annoyed at the 80 degree thing (I like 68-72 best), I hope that you haven't ruled out Wendys, even though I do reside behind the Orange curtain.

Your cats rock.

I vote for two stitches on each end. And going up another needle-size so the yarn-overs are really airy.

Okay, my real name is Jennifer, but I go by Jenna. Can I still get in?

And I knit when I'm sick, too...Nyquil makes for some interesting patterns.

i haven't knitted in six weeks.

i might die soon.

really.

I say stick with five, because garter stitch scarves always stretch lengthwise and therefore the garter edge sections will get thinner! It looks lovely as it is, anyway.

Santa Barbara weather is a perfect 74 degrees today. Ahhhh. I am not wishing for Santa Barbara to be more seasonal. The only people that want more seasons are people from places that snow. This IS the real Santa Barbara seasonality. Paradise. But I digress...

I agree with the 3 stitch border. I made a hat with that same yarn (love it) and it took two skeins. Your scarf will end up longer. But you already knew that. Love the stitch!

Laurie, hope you & Roy are both feeling better. Soba looks fierce in that one. Your cats are gorgeous and have so much personality.

I love the scarf with the 5 garter stitches. And that yarn. (But does it ever get cold enough down there to wear it?)

And your explanations of things are so clear. Have you ever thought of writing a knitting book, maybe one for beginners or people who haven't knit in a long time? I like the way you explain each step--sometimes people leave out a step, and beginners get lost and panic or quit. But your explanations are very logical and are still fun to read.

I'm trying to decide what to knit for the Knitting Olympics and it might be something with lace because I get bored if I do something plain. I've forgotten how to do yarnovers because I usually crochet. I'm printing out your post to have around when I start whatever it is I decide to make. Anyway, thanks for explaining things so well!

Well dear, it just doesn't do to complain about 80 degree weather when some of your sisters are living in their stashes and drinking JUST TO KEEP WARM. And yup, go with the 3.

How about adding a Lynae...yeah, you can never have enough of us. LOL!

I LOVE the scarf.

I have been knitting for years, and just last summer had to look up in a book to see if I was doing the y/o correctly.

I'd kill for some 80 degree weather. Below 30 here today....and they were talking wind chill again.

I'm with the majority - a 3 stitch border. And Laurie? Don't forget to slip the first stitch of each row as if to purl so that your edges are nice and straight.

BTW - are you ever going to put the recipe for the drop stitch and loop scarf on the side bar instead of making us hunt back in the archives when we want it??? Please? I could have used it about 3 weeks ago!!!! Thanks, sugah, and I sure do hope you and the Roy are feeling 100% real soon.

Any openings for a Stephanie? ;)

And "snatch you baldheaded"! I haven't heard that since my Grammy threatened me with that all through my childhood. Good times, good times. :)

I think the five stitch border is perfect. Three stitches would be too predictable.

I agree -- keep the same number of total stitches, just have three knits on each side and fourteen Y-O, K2togs in the middle. More of YO's -- they're the star of the show!

Happy Knitting Anniversary dear.... hope you feel better soon! Love that scarf, can I be a coworker?

My Christmas gifts in '04 were a derivation of this pattern. Very fun and fast to make. Even got paid for knitting (while at work when it was slow). I like the idea of three on the side and slipping one to keep it clean. I used LanaGrossa Pep. Looked fabulous. Even my snoidy teenage nieces loved these scarves. Have some fun.

BTW I got sixteen inches of cement like snow and it is blowing 55mph at my house. The wine will flow when I get off work.

And everyone needs a Trixie in the friend department.

Sorry, I'm another Jennifer! LOL Just a tidbit of info - I'm a labor and delivery nurse and on our unit of 150 nurses, there are 15 Jennifer's - I get blamed for NOTHING!! I think the scarf looks great!

I have no opinion on 5 vs. 3, but I thought I should tell you that I am also named Laurie and many of my favorite people in the world are also named Jennifer. Not Jenny, though. Ironically, those are often some of my less favorite people. Some of my Jennifer friends used to be called Jenny when they were smaller Jennifers. Luckily they switched to Jennifer so I can love them. Otherwise, not so much. Also, one of my most favorites of all the Jennifers used to have a cat that was a twin to Soba. Her name was Zinfandel (Zinny). She had a funny meow that sounded like a toy cow. Hope you feel better soon.

Purlie, so glad you are sort of back among the living. It took me three weeks to get over that awful Evian flu. Missed you lately. Get better, as there are dozens of us who need you!

Damn. 2 other Rachel's got here before me, so that probably cuts me out of the friend running. I vote for a 3 garter stitch edge, along with taking the top and bottom rows down to 3 of garter stitch as well.

Well, enough "R's" how about a "C"?

I'd say just 2 border stitches would be plenty in a bulky yarn like that. I think 3 would still be a bit on the wide side for a border. It's not like you're going to worry about it curling since it's in garter. Showcase the cool part in the middle, screw the bulky border.

My name is Elizabeth, so maybe I can put in a "friend" application? I have an overload of "Sandy's" - - maybe we could trade a couple . . .

Also, back in "the day", I once dated 4 guys, at the same time, that were all named Steve. At least I didn't get their names mixed up!
And what is really funny is - - I've been married for the past 20 years to a guy named Steve - - NOT one of the original four! :-)

Dizzy Ms. Lizzy

I understand about the Jennifer thing. There was this time period from the mid-70s until the early 80s during which I think the name Jennifer must have been very popular. I have lost count of the Jennifers I have met who were born during those years.

My wee Monkey's name is Mysterie. I don't think she'll be lost in a sea of like-named individuals. Of course, she may also hate me for giving her such a unique* name.

*how do you catch a clever rabbit? You neak up on it! Gettit?! You Neak?! Hah. I crack m'self up.

Blogger's down for an hour. Don't think I can make it. . .

Yep. Border is too wide. You'll be thrilled with a narrower one. It'll even cure your cough and bully the gnome into returning that lost needle! Give it a try and see if I'm not right!

I love the scarf and the yarn!

I must remember to post a pic of my kitty Molly. She looks just like Sobakowa.

I agree with Lucia that you could do away with the borders and it would look great. I, however, would go up a needle size or two because I think that yarn can handle it.

I was always the only Stella I knew growing up. In past years it seems to have become popular with parents in this area, and I know of several Stellas under the age of 12. Still can't find it on a bicycle license plate, though.

Very Cool. I am actually working on the "same" scarf. EXCEPT my needles are 6.5mm, my purple wool is Australian Merinos, I cast on 30 stitches, and do a 3 stitch border! And it's minus 11 celcius here in Ottawa, Canada, so scarves ARE being worn. See it's the same!

The centre of my scarf has a chain-link fence look and the texture is really bouncy.
Yours looks great.

I vote to keep the 5 stiches on each side, but perhaps add another 3-5 rows at each end so it's the same width as the sides. I like big boarders, big trim on doors and windows, big frames and matting on paintings, etc.

"Yarnovering". It's a word.

Love the yarn! You should join the Knitting Olympics (www.yarnharlot.ca)...it begins this Friday!

Thanks for the great pattern idea. I have a scarf to knit for Christmas for my sister-in-law. She saw me making one for the other sister-in-law so now she wants one...that's the way it goes. But I bought bulky yarn in Paris and I think it would look great in this pattern. I agree 3 sts. is perfect. Sorry to have you rip!

When you go to Paris check out the bar at the Hotel Sofitel in the Trocadero. It's called Trocadero Dokhan in 16e at 117 Rue Lauriston (Metro stop Trocadero). Small champagne bar. Great staff and swank service. You will not be disappointed! The elevators are supposed to be appointed in Louis Vuitton leather but I could not convince my friends to let me ask to take a look.

I love the way that yarn looks in the YOs. Both pret-ty wool and pret-ty knitting!

can you get a pix of your co-workers scarf?

I think you should try a swatch with 3 stiches of garter on each side. The lacy bit wants to be bigger, IMHO.

Hey, I'm and Elizabeth, pick me! ;^)

I kind of like it with 5 stitches per side. But, you know, I'm not exactly fashionable or anything.

my name is rachel, and when i was at school there were three other rachels in my class. but two of them spelled it rachael, so we had like two rival rachel camps and you were only ever associated with one kind of rachel/rachael.

we were about five at the time. but me and my fellow rachel were better than the other two (we had freckles and i had the nicest handwriting).

I like the 5 border. In fact...I have been struggling with some red silk blend wool and I just couldn't find the right pattern. I went home and tried this pattern and it's lovely. Since the yarn is so light, I cast on 30 and used five stitches for the edges.
Thanks for being so inspirational and educational despite being hopped up on the goofy juice (aka cough syrup).

OH--I used the felted join at the hospital the other day and you'd think I turned water into wine from the admiration it brought me. I felt all big time and silently sang your praises.

Ok, here's Molly my cat that I mentioned before:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/33251324@N00/88724560/

I would like to apply for the opening for a friend named Elizabeth (I love your blog - gush!)

That scarf pattern may be the answer to the Looked-Great-On-The-Skein-But-It's-Not-Working-For-Me-When I-Knit-It ball of Prism I have. Huzzah.

Thanks for the Feb. horoscope too. (I clipped n' saved mine (Aries) for January -- helped me through those dark days.)

--Liz

well i am wondering how the hell to entice you to knit something for me...something you WANT to knit...i wonder what it would take...esp since you have probably a gazillion people reading your blog now, and everyone is probably asking for stuff...(hey does THAT make you famous?) ... and since you have never actually replied to an email/post kinda thing from me as of yet, i can only assume you are not interested in making additional friends... (a am plumper than your paris friends however, and probably heavier than you...so maybe there is a possibility...eh, we'll see...the ball is in your park girl) i am also a brunette and would not outshine your blondness (which will also make you a lovely standout in paris)
anyway, back to knitting... we want to see more pics of knitting...well, "I" want to see more...hee,hee,hee...

Hello! I have a confession to make, I've been knitting scarves for 3 years now and have never ventured into reading a pattern!! I've taught many people how to simple knit, and now they all knit cool things like sweaters and such. But I just do scarves and they look the same just with different colors..... the shame......
But thanks to you, I now can YO! (it's driving my husband nuts, everytime I do a stitch I say "yo")
THANK YOU!!!!
~christine
p.s. Christine's have the same name problem!

Your needle is missing? Ask the cats! I was looking for a pen last night and it turned out my kitty tucked it carefully under the very low sofa...
I like your scarf (I'm also a scarf-girl ^^), I've made a similar one, but without the border and it's slanting!
I like the part about the wine, so true, so true... (*^-^*)