Taming Of The Curl

OK, I’ve come to a decision about the scarf. I’m frogging. I can’t stand scarves that curl in at the edges and this is clearly going to curl even with a good blocking.

But, I really like the stitch pattern, especially the strong lines of decreases which you can see really clearly in Rebekkah’s Scroll Lace socks. So I set about figuring out how to keep those lines while working in garter stitch.

Here’s the result:

IMG_4395

It’s difficult to see in the crappy, pre-dawn photo but basically, I worked the selvage stitches and the decreases in stockinette stitch and kept everything else in garter stitch.

Compared to the portion knit wholly in stockinette stitch, the garter version is obviously much flatter:

IMG_4398

Thumbs up or down?? I’m thinking thumbs down. I’m just not feeling the love for the garter stitch. It really ruins the charm of the stitch pattern.

But, wait! There’s “Plan C.” What about a cowl?? I can stop the bottom and top edges from rolling with garter stitch or moss stitch and the rest of the piece can’t curl ’cause it will be a tube.

Something to think about.

22 Responses to “Taming Of The Curl”

  1. Beth on 24 Apr 2008 at 3:35 am

    You get a gold star for perseverance. I’d have given up long ago!

  2. Carole on 24 Apr 2008 at 3:53 am

    I’m not loving it the way it is. What about a sock?

  3. margene on 24 Apr 2008 at 4:33 am

    A cowl is the ooo-only way to go.

  4. Sarah R on 24 Apr 2008 at 4:36 am

    Hmmm…could you try wetting and blocking the end you’ve done in stockinette to see how badly it’ll curl when complete? I agree that the garter stitch portion is not working.

    Perhaps a cowl is the way to go.

  5. Liz in IN on 24 Apr 2008 at 4:47 am

    Third time’s the charm, I’m thinkin’.

    In garter stitch, the pattern definitely becomes flat but also (maybe even ‘therefore’?) un-scroll-like.

    What would happen if you knit a moss or garter (or ?)stitch border on a flat scroll-stitch scarf? Would the border plus a nice blocking make the edges behave?

  6. Sarah HB on 24 Apr 2008 at 5:25 am

    I don’t like scarves that curl either.

    Good luck with round 3.

  7. mary lou on 24 Apr 2008 at 5:25 am

    Would a crocheted edging around the stockinette part (if such a thing doesn’t appall you) prevent the curl and yet be discreet?

  8. Stitch-n-Snitch on 24 Apr 2008 at 5:50 am

    I’m definitely not feeling the garter stitch love. The yarn ends up looking like boucle, IMHO.

  9. Melissa A. on 24 Apr 2008 at 5:53 am

    I think it’s cute all non blocked, but if you don’t like it, don’t waste your time on it.

  10. Anne on 24 Apr 2008 at 6:00 am

    The garter section is flat the stockinette section curls at the end, sounds like you either frog it or pick your poison. Personally, I like the stockinette section and would be inclined to put up with the curl for the sake of the swirling.

  11. Laurie on 24 Apr 2008 at 6:35 am

    I agree, thumbs down. At this point, I think the pattern just isn’t calling.

  12. Lisa on 24 Apr 2008 at 7:21 am

    Your garter version reminds me a bit of of Tilting Blocks from B Walker’s Second Treasury. TBlocks lies flat nicely - maybe you could get some ideas from looking at that pattern? I have a photo of it on flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/knitz/2221653222/

    just a suggestion.

  13. elizabeth on 24 Apr 2008 at 7:59 am

    I agree about the garter and Plan C sounds perfect!

  14. martha in mobile on 24 Apr 2008 at 8:59 am

    I agree with all y’all about the garter stitch. I think the unblocked scarf is charming–I say change the word “curl” to “architectural detail” and it’s all good.

  15. Heather Joins The Round on 24 Apr 2008 at 9:19 am

    Cowl. Or some other kind of border on the scarf. What about I-cord, or a mini-cable, like a 2X2 cable right on the edge, something that could zig-zag with the lace? Is that too wacky?

  16. Danielle on 24 Apr 2008 at 11:53 am

    Plan C sounds good. I’m not feeling the garter love either.

  17. marie in florida on 24 Apr 2008 at 12:41 pm

    i like the garter stitch portion better but go on to plan C anway, because i’d like to see where you go with it.

  18. lisa on 24 Apr 2008 at 1:52 pm

    I’m thumbs down on the garter section, and as much as you don’t like the curl, the stockinette section seems more appealing to me. Maybe it is time for socks with this lace?

  19. Nancy on 24 Apr 2008 at 3:57 pm

    I would frog it and knit a cowl.

  20. Teyani on 24 Apr 2008 at 10:32 pm

    hmmm… me thinks the garter stitch kinda deflates the pattern.
    good luck with planC

  21. Betty on 28 Apr 2008 at 11:43 am

    Hmmm…I like the stockinette pattern, a lot actually. Garter, no. I’d consider weighting the ends by have a beaded fringe, which should combat the rolling. Given the yarn, I’d go with matte beads. Just a thought…

  22. Katherine of it All on 02 May 2008 at 6:05 pm

    I’m with you on the irritation of curling scarves. It IRRITATES me.

Feed on comments to this Post

Leave your Comment