Hello. I am having a bit of a problem. I knitted what I am calling my prototype Doctor Who scarf using the pattern found on wittylittleknitter.com Season 12. Now I am the type of person to be unable to read patterns well.
Here is what I did for the pattern for my first go around. I used Vanna’s Choice yarn, knitted 42 stitches instead of the 35 called for and doubled the yarn (what I mean by this is instead of using one string of one colour I used two strings of one colour). This made the scarf more bulky but it seemed right in my eyes. This time I am trying to stick more to the pattern but am finding that as I try to follow it I am confusing myself.
For starters I am only using one string of yarn instead of two (which makes the scarf seem very flimsy). So is the scarf supposed to be flimsy. Secondly, I am a little confused on the mention that you need to double the stitches. If I just use one string of yarn then when I read I need three rows for example should it them be six? If anyone can help me read the pattern from wittylittleknitter and understand it would greatly settle my second guessing. Thanks
Whethr the knitting is flimsy or not depends on the needle size used. If you used a really large one (13 or 15 or bigger) with the 2 strands, you would need a size 9 or 10 with the single strand. That will also make the width less, but 42 sts on a smaller needle would be 8-10" wide, so if you want it wider, then use 50 or 55 or something. You don’t need to double the number of row, if you’re changing colors just change them at the same measurement as the other. So if you changed at 4", then change colors again at 4", or 6", whatever it was before.
I couldln’t open the Vanna’s Choice pattern in Word and it’s pretty garbled in Note pad, but it says to use a needle that will give 3½ to 4 sts per inch which would be a size 10 or 10½ and be 8-10" wide. It seems like each color is knit for 12" so you just knit as many rows as needed to get that measurement.
Welcome to Knitting Help!
There is a reference in the pattern to the numbers given in the photo or layout of colors. The scarf is made by knitting all the rows (garter stitch) and when you do that, 2 rows of knitting will give you one garter ridge. The photo gives you the number of ridges for each color and the note in the pattern is telling you that if you want to know the number of rows, multiply the number of ridges by 2.
I had no idea there were so many Dr. Who scarves! http://wittylittleknitter.com/chapter-12/
Thank you. That does help clear it up more. I have a tough time reading patterns. I mostly have to watch a pattern being done and then the written pattern makes sense. It took me some time to even understand ‘garter stitch’. This is mostly because I am self taught, so I tend to wing things and then as I go I figure it out. Unfortunately, I don’t think anyone has done a video yet on their Doctor Who scarf project.
I’m only a novice knitter myself but I’m pro when it comes to Tom Baker (12th Dr).
I’m currently working on my first project a Dr Who scarf as well. I’m using a mix of Red Heart brand and Vannas Choice both full worsted for my scarf. I’m using only one strand and using garter stitch only. The pattern I found called for 60 some stitches I found I needed 50 or less I think I’ve actually got 49 stitches (thinking about it now I should have made it 42 cause everyone knows that’s the answer to everything) I digress.
I pretty much chucked the pattern other than using it for color swaps.
Depending on the season he wore different scarves and there were a few variations including “stunt scarves”. The most notable is the 12 foot long multicolored bad boy which is what I’m currently doing.
Now back on topic. Using a single strand will give you the proper lay for the scarf, if you go back and watch a few episodes you’ll notice how the scarf doesn’t stand stiff on his shoulders but has a rather nice lay to it, or drape. I found that I’m getting about 8 - 10 rows per inch and in fact I stopped counting rows altogether mostly due to my being a novice knitter and planning out my color swaps the best way I know with my skillset. Some colors are shorter than they should be and some a bit longer, all in all doesn’t really matter.
TaraWheeler has some excellent videos of making Dr Who scarves up on Youtube. I think one about color change the other on tassells, in both you can really see the stitching as well as how the garment moves.
Been working on mine a bit over or under 2 months and it’s about 5 1/2 feet long.