Guardian's Tail

There is a treasure that people cannot live without. We love it, crave it, travel for it and if it were not so elusive, would hoard it. This treasure is so valuable, the destitute spend their last coins to have it and so vital it is illegal in Canada to have it taken away during the months when it is needed most. It is ours naturally and at times is even free. This little scarf will help you to guard the greatest treasure known to man; warmth. Like a sleeping dragon with it's tail wrapped around a hoard of jewels and golden objects. Heat emanating from it's body warming the air near it.

Materials:

1 skein Brown Sheep Handpaint Originals 80m/88yds (Aran/Worsted weight) if making a substitution, I recommend something with silk, or another fibre that has a bit of shine to the colours. That way you get the look of dragon skin.

5mm needles or whatever needles give you a stitch definition you like.

Tapestry needle

Shawl pin

Gauge: Not important with this yarn weight, the scarf is quite wide and you could use a thinner weight yarn if you prefer a skinner scarf.

Finished and blocked dimensions: Width - 13.5cm/5.25" Length - 68.5cm/27"

Warning before you start knitting. This scarf curls and has a slight bias. If you don't like this you will have to block often. The scarf is only long enough to go around your neck once and be pinned closed at your collar bone so the curling and the bias won't be very noticeable. If you decide to knit the scarf anyway consider yourself warned.

Pattern:

Cast on 24 sts

Row 1(right side) - K1, p1, k1, *k4, k2tog, yo* repeat *to* to last 3 sts, k1, p1, k1
Row 2 - K1, p2, *yo, p1, p2tog, p3* repeat *to* to last 3 sts, p2, k1
Row 3 - K1, p1, k1, *k2, k2tog, k2, yo* repeat *to* to last 3 sts, k1, p1, k1
Row 4 - K1, p2, *yo, p3, p2tog, p1* repeat *to* to last 3 sts, p2, k1
Row 5 - K1, p1, k1, *k2tog, k4, yo* repeat *to* to last 3 sts, k1, p1, k1
Row 6 - K1, p3, *p4, yo, p2tog* repeat *to* to last 2 sts, p1, k1
Row 7 - K1, p1, k1, *k1, yo, k3, k2tog* repeat *to* to last 3 sts, k1, p1, k1
Row 8 - K1, p2, *p2tog, p2, yo, p2* repeat *to* to last 3 sts, p2, k1
Row 9 - K1, p1, k1, *k3, yo, k1, k2tog* repeat *to* to last 3 sts, k1, p1, k1
Row 10 - K1, p2, *p2tog, yo, p4* repeat *to* to last 3 sts, p2, k1

Repeat rows 1 - 10 until you only have enough yarn for three rows. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 then cast off using a stretchy method. I tried something new, but I think I would have preferred a sewn cast off more.



This pattern is strong enough for a handdyed yarn with a lot of colours, but I think I would skip the self-striping ones. Of course the pattern will show up more with a less fuzzy yarn. There is enough interest to be able to use a fuzzy yarn though.


As always, if you have any problems with this pattern, feel free to ask and I will do my best to help you.