Carol Duvall got a blast from the past when she found the original directions for this stretch scarf from viewer Sandra Miller. Not only was it a craft hit in the '70s, but due to the amazing reaction Duvall has gotten, it's a hit in the '90s too!
Scarf Materials:
size Q crochet hook
three 4 oz. skeins knitting worsted wool
Steps:
- Using three strands of yarn, CH 18 sts.
- SC in second st. from hook and continue to SC across row. NOTE: The looser you crochet, the more stretch you will have and the lacier the effect (figure A). This includes the CH st. at the end of each row. Also, be sure to hook through both loops on the top of each st. or you will not have the stretchability.
- CH 1. Turn work and SC in each st. across row. Continue in this manner until one -half of the desired length of the scarf is reached. Duvall made her's 43" long. Cut yarn and secure last st.
- Have someone hold one end of the scarf while you pull the other end. Scarf will stretch to almost double its length. When Duvall did this she also went back and pulled each row separately to make certain that the entire length of scarf was evenly pulled. The ends will flare slightly.
- Add fringe across the ends. Press scarf with a steam iron. That's all.
KEY
CH = Chain
SC = Single Crochet
st. = stitch
Duvall's Tips:
* Duvall discovered that after a week of wearing her scarf, it had grown several inches longer! That was fine with her, but if the idea of a scarf that keeps on growing doesn't appeal to you, Duvall recommends pulling it as tight as possible when stretching it, then giving it a good going over with a steam iron to set it.
Fringe:
The scarf's fringe consists of a series of larks head knots made along each end . The number of strands of yarn, and length of the fringe is your choice. Duvall suggests you cut a half dozen lengths of yarn twice the length you desire, hold them together as one strand, and then fold them in half to create a single loop. Thread the loop through an end stitch, then pull the loose ends through the loop. Repeat in each st. across the row. For fuller fringe, use more strands.
90's Scarf:
Duvall used a yarn that is a combination of wool and nylon, which is less inclined to continuing growing. The nylon wants to keep its original shape, so make sure you set the stretch with a steam iron.
Matching Crocheted Hat
- Using three strands of yarn, CH 30 sts. For large sizes CH 35 sts.
- Work back and forth on these sts. for 9 rows. This completed piece may look like a bad beginning, but it will work out.
- Hold work in right hand, clutching it above the second row rather than at the edge. The first two rows are not pulled and will serve as the hat band.
- Wrap strip (it will be a weird shape) around your head. If it extends more than an inch or two beyond the top of your head, then rip out a row or two.
- Stitch ends of strip together to form a tube.
- With a tapestry needle, run a strand of yarn around the top of the tube through each stitch. Pull yarn to gather. If hat is deep enough you might wish to gather it all together and cover the center with a pompom. I gathered mine only part way and left a 3" opening at the crown.
- Put tube on head. Believe it or not... you have a hat.
Summer Stole That Grows
Duvall also tried a summer stole using the same stretch idea.This time she used five, two ounce skeins of lightweight yarn (baby yarn, sport yarn, fingering yarn, etc.) and crocheted loosely until the piece was half the desired length. After stretching it, Duvall went back and pulled each row separately. The completed piece including gobs of fringe measured approximately 18" by 90" and was long enough to go over both shoulders, drape across the front, and go over one shoulder again. You might wish to make it a tad shorter.
)
)
