Beaumonde

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Pattern: Beaumonde Scarf (see below)
Yarn: Elann Highland Wool, Orchid Pink, 4 balls
Needles: 4.5 mm (US7)
Unblocked size: around 6 inches x 55 inches

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This is Cable Scarf #8 in my series of cable scarves. When I first saw this stitch pattern in the New Knitting Stitch Library, I knew I had to make a scarf using it. I thought it was a very interesting use of dropped purl stitches within the cables! This scarf is great for mindless knitting in front of the TV because you spend most of your time doing ribbing, and then you throw in a few 11-stitch cable crossings, Yarn Overs, P2Togs, and dropping stitches here and there to keep things from getting too monotonous. Yes, that's right, there is an 11-stitch cable crossing. I normally do my cable crossings without a cable needle, however I did use one for this scarf.

I started out with a 2 stitch seed stitch border on the sides. It wasn't until I was halfway through the scarf when I decided it would have been better with a 1-stitch border. However by that time I was too lazy to frog the whole thing and start over for just this minor detail. It took me much longer than I expected to finish this scarf since I had to put it aside for some time to give my hands a rest (due to pain and numbness from knitting and typing).

Close-up of Beaumonde Scarf.

Photos show scarf unblocked. I liked the look of it unblocked, so I decided not to block fearing that the cables would come out flatter than I like. There's a sort of swirling in the pattern that somewhat makes me think of cinnamon rolls, even though they're not spirals like those rolls. Maybe I think of that because I've got the munchies...

I used 4 balls of Highland Wool yarn, and I pretty much used all of it. This is how much yarn I had leftover when I was finished with the scarf:

Leftover yarn from project.

Although the original pattern has dropped stitches, you can also choose not to drop stitches. It's up to you to decide which you prefer. The photo below shows what it would look like if you do not drop stitches:

This is what it would look like if you choose the no dropped stitch version.

There's a subtle difference between the two and I like them both. BTW, that little hand you see in the photos is my 3 yr old who always tries to "help" when I'm taking photos.

A little tip when working the dropped stitch rows. You have to tease the stitch downwards to create the ladder. Don't worry, the dropped stitch will stop at the previous Yarn Over. It's easier to work the stitch downwards after you have finished knitting the row. You can also wait until you've knitted a few more rows before doing it. Or better yet, wait until you're completely done knitting the scarf and then tease down all those dropped stitches at one time. I'd suggest waiting at least a few rows before you do it cuz this will make it easier for you if you ever need to tink back.

Here are a few more photos of the scarf, and also my not very good attempt to take a photo of worn:


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Beaumonde Scarf Pattern:
Beaumonde Scarf Pattern from Box.com (no registration required, just click on link & save file)
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My series of cable scarves...

Persephone Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2006/12/persephone.html
Ariel Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2007/04/ariel.html
Miranda Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2007/06/miranda-scarf.html
Osiris Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2007/09/osiris.html
Bernadette Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2007/11/bernadette.html
Regina Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2007/12/regina.html
Paquin Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2008/03/paquin.html
Beaumonde Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2008/04/beaumonde.html
Shadow Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2008/04/shadow.html
Hera Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2008/08/hera-scarf-pattern.html
Triumph Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2008/08/triumph-cable-scarf-pattern.html
Ezra Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2008/09/ezra-cable-scarf-pattern.html
Sihnon Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2008/10/sihnon.html
Londinium Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2008/10/londinium.html
St. Albans Valentine Cable Scarf:
http://smariek.blogspot.com/2008/11/scarf-15.html

Stitches used in this scarf include:
Pattern # 178, NKSL pg 115
Seed Stitch, BW1 pg 11

Elann Highland Wool yarn info:
100% Highland Wool
Machine Wash, Dry Flat
19 st / 4 inches, 4.0 - 4.5 mm (US6-7)
100 m (109 yards) per 50 gm (1.75 oz) ball
$2.38

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