CO 24 per pattern
here’s a video of how to do the pattern
http://www.diynetwork.com/videos/crossover-scarf/4088.html

1/30 Used straight needles even though I use circs for everything. It was difficult for me cross over the dropped stitches on the circulars - everything felt too floppy. Also, I have found dropped stitches difficult on circs -- on the next row, all the drops cross and can be difficult to slide up off the cable and onto the needle. It’s a pain to constantly stop and try to work them up onto the needle.

Modified the pattern. Following it through Row 10. I follow Row 11 as directed by the pattern except that I only wrap it 3 times to keep the length about the same with the crisscross rows (figuring the crossing eats up about one wrap). Row 12, I just drop and knit the stitches, I don’t criss-cross them.

For the next pattern repeat, I modify row 6 by slipping the 8 stitches back to the left needle and inserting the right needle into the 4 furthest stitches and cross them over. The result is that every other criss-cross row has the outside stitches slanting in opposite directions (see picture -- the bottom row slants from left to right and the upper row slants right to left).

Of course, if I had it to do over, I’d alternate the criss cross rows as per pattern, which would give me a “2 diamond” criss cross row, a straight drop stitch row, then a “3 diamond” criss cross row, then straight, then 2, then 3 and so on. This project shows clearly how the criss-cross rows alternate.

I may do this when I get to the other end of the scarf, symmetry be damned.

1/31 I don’t know if I have the patience for a scarf. I like how this looks, but I’m toying with the idea of switching patterns every so often -- it might be a great way to try out some new patterns while incorporating them into a scarf.

2/1 okay, I’ve calmed down and decided to focus. I like the drop stitch pattern I’ve got going for the ends. I like to be able to wear my scarf up over my head to cover my ears. This stitch pattern is too holey for that, so I’ll switch to another pattern for the middle section of the scarf and then return to my drop stitching.

After much pattern research, I’m going with the Prismatic Scarf, but I think I’ll use TexturedKnitter’s modification for it.

2/7 decided it’s time to switch to the Prismatic pattern. Increased to 30 sts because this is narrower than the drop stitch pattern and I want this to cover my ears.

2/9 bored. Decided to modify prismatic scarf by doing pattern rows 1 through 12 and then reverse back down to 1. This pattern narrows the scarf considerably. Adding the 6 stitches makes the scarf the same width of the first pattern.

Based on the prismatic projects, I have to say that reversing the pattern isn’t as pretty as doing it as written, but I think it works with the criss-crossy, zig-zaggy nature of this scarf.

Due to concerns about running out of yarn and boredom, I’ve decided to switch to garter (because garter is such a scintillating stitch!). Seriously, this will widen the scarf and I’ll knit it long enough to go over my head and ears then I’ll return to the prismatic scarf pattern, doing rows 1 to 12 then reverse back down to 1 and then go back to my drop stitch pattern.

2/13 did a whole bunch of rows in garter. Got the book 101 Designer One-Skein Wonders so I could look at the cross-stitch scarf. Decided to rip back most of the garter and give cross-stitch a try. Pattern is very difficult to understand and after some internet and ravelry searching, I decided to use the directions for the 2 st-left cross found here for free and for the second row, follow the pattern. This pattern was nearly impossible for me until I switched to a smaller left needle on my interchangeables (one of the things I love about interchangeables).

I didn’t like how it looked - the stitches didn’t look crossed as much as just slanted, so I went back to the Drop Stitch Scarf pattern. I found one Raveler’s blog who explained the stitch pattern, clarifying that for Row 1, the 2nd stitch should be knit through the back loop.

(update - this free pattern looks like it has a similar stitch - I may want to use that in the future)

2/28 I think the cross-stitch pattern has an awesome-looking wrong side.

Finished the cross-stitch section (long enough to drape over my head from ear to ear). Did three rows garter. Did prismatic scarf pattern again - rows 1 to 12 and then back down to 1. Then three more rows of garter stitch - reducing to 24 stitches in the first row and then returning to the drop stitch pattern.

I’ve mixed this scarf up quite a bit to save me from boredom and it only sort of worked.

3/9/10 I only have a few more repeats of the drop stitch section to go to match the other side. I did finish my ball of yarn and am working with the leftovers from another project. It’s probably about a 1/4 of a ball -- hope that is enough! And if it is, I may add some fringe.

I made it! Just have to weave in the ends. I think I’ll skip blocking it. Weather is starting to get warmer and I don’t want to waste any time waiting for it to dry. I’ll block it when it’s too warm to wear it.