• I’m using my favorite cast-on for 1x1 rib from an old issue of Threads. It’s done on a much smaller needle (I used a US3) than the working needle and results in a really clean stretchy edge. Granted, stretchy isn’t really a concern on the edge of a scarf, but it doesn’t hurt and the edge looks so nice.

I’m finding a few very thin spots in my Silk Garden where it drops down to a lace weight for a few inches. I knit through the first one, but the last two got cut out. Note: the silk garden takes a spit splice very nicely.

I’ve done about 10” so far, but the last few inches are alternating blue and green stipes…very little contrast. I think I’m going to frog back and take out the blue. The next color on that ball is black which will make the green pop a bit more, I think, and I’ll work the blue in later. I’d leave it alone if it were a shorter transition, but I love the green and it would be nice to see it. WWJD? (What would Jared Do?)

• One difficulty I’m having is keeping the selvedge edge loose enough. Because the first and last stitches are slipped every other row, I’m finding I really need to loosen up that first stitch when it’s created (the row before it gets slipped). I’m not having so much trouble with the last stitch, though. I’m not sure why that is.

I didn’t end up frogging, but I did cut out part of the blue and splice it back in later. It was hard for me to let go and give up control, to leave the color transitions to chance. I had to remind myself that surprises were part of the fun and that, in the end, the changes in contrast add as much interest as the shifting colors. After the first cut and splice, I let the yarn take over.

I’m enjoying this scarf more and more! The longer it gets, the more I love it. I thought I might give it as a gift, but now I want it for myself. I should have it done before the weekend. I never did figure out a good way to keep the first stitch loose. I’m hoping it all blocks out, but if anyone has a suggestion…maybe doing a yarn over before the first stitch and then dropping it off on the next row…I’ll have to do some test swatches.

• The scarf is done and the edge isn’t as bad as I expected. I did a much better job keeping the first stitch loose on the last half of the scarf. The scarf is 7’ 8” long! Longer than I expected, but when it’s wrapped around the neck a couple of times, it’s fine. Mine is about 4 3/4” wide and I think I would actually make it about 3” next time and keep the length about the same.

I ended with a kitchener bind off and pulled the yarn very snug as I went along. I went back with my needle and worked my way across, snugging up the bind-off a final time since it doesn’t need to be stretchy (although it still is) and it keeps the edge from ruffling. All in all, I’m pretty happy with the scarf.