Hubbard is a delightful tubular neck scarf with a vintage-esque cross-over front. Worked in a striking tonal striped pattern with decorative ‘leaves’ at each end of the scarf. This elegant scarflette cleverly wraps around the neck and is held neatly in place with one frill passed through the other. The pleasing stripe pattern creates an attractive surface pattern and is simple and fun to knit.

Hubbard is knitted in two pieces; the first half commencing at centre back with a provisional cast-on, from which the stitches for the second half are picked up. One piece is split into two sections to create a slit in the fabric to pass the other piece through. Both pieces are ‘closed up’ before the decorative, shaped and striped frill is worked. On completion two rows of crochet are worked on the lower edge of the frills to create a decorative edging and then black ribbon is attached around the end of the tube sections before being stitched down the centre of each frill for a final flourish.

So why Hubbard? The design for this clever scarflette was inspired by a very similar one worn by Michelle Pfeiffer’s character of the same name in the film, Murder on the Orient Express. The book, written of course by Agatha Christie, is set in 1934, and my little scarflette reflects the sophisticated neckerchiefs and collars with bows that were common in that period. Likewise the use of both crochet and a little sewing was seen regularly in knitting patterns of the 1930s.

The yarn used is Bluem Sock, our super-soft, fingering weight sock yarn in six beautiful shades. Our sample is knitted in the hand-dyed shades of Charcoal, Dock Seed, Rusty Tractor, Moss Covered Wall, Hay Bale plus the natural shade of Buttermilk. This exquisite pattern uses just one 25g mini-skein of each shade.

The Hubbard includes both clear written instructions plus schematic.

A yarn kit is available from Susan Crawford Vintage.

Yarn
Susan Crawford Bluem Sock, (Fingering weight) 75% Bluefaced Leicester / 25% nylon, (100 metres / 109 yards per 25g skein)
1 skein, each of shades Charcoal, Dock Seed, Rusty Tractor, Moss Covered Wall, Hay Bale and Buttermilk
Gauge
28 sts and 47 rounds = 10cm (4in) worked over stripe pattern knitted in the round, after blocking. We obtained this gauge using 2.75mm (US 2) needles.
If necessary use an alternative needle size to obtain the correct gauge.

Suggested needles

Set of 2.75mm (US 2) DPNs
Crochet hook of similar size

Notions

Waste yarn
Stitch markers, one removable
Tapestry needle
Scissors
60cm (24 in) black velvet ribbon 1cm (½in) wide

Techniques

Knitting in the round (optional)
Three dimensional construction
Additional sewing required
Simple crochet