I chose to knit the Feather and Fan short scarf because I was looking for a pretty scarf to knit. But when I read the pattern, I discovered it was also a very simple lace knit.
This scarf is simply Feather and Fan stitch, which is an old Shetland lace stitch also known as Old Shale. Old Shale (sometimes also called shell stitch – how many names does it want?) consists of equal decreases grouped together and equal increases grouped together. The pattern was originally named Old Shale because it was thought to resemble the print the waves leave the on shale sands.
Apparently, in Shetland, it used to be said that no two families knitted the pattern the same. The Feather and Fan short scarf pattern is a four row repeat; the pattern row repeating groups of six k2tog and six yo, K1: the other three rows are purl, knit, purl. It is therefore a very simple lace pattern, suitable for those taking their first steps in lace knitting.
For my scarf I used one 50g ball of Blacker Yarns bluefaced Leicester laceweight.
The resulting scarf is 39inches long x 12 inches wide.
Its simple structure made it great to knit when I had an odd 2o minutes to knit up four quick rows – always stopping before a pattern row so, although I attached a row counter, I didn’t use it. I barely felt as if I was knitting it and it seemed to be finished very quickly.
However I think my lace would have been neater and more even, if I’d knitted it in larger chunks of time that allowed me to build up a more relaxed even knitting rhythm. So I’ve learnt a lesson there about cramming in stitches for NaKnitMo!
I certainly can’t think of a simpler way to make a gorgeous lace scarf and definitely recommend it to anyone knitting lace for the first time.
Apologies for the constant colour changing. Not only is this a difficult colour to capture, it was so dank and dark when I took the final photos yesterday, there was no good light to be had. The second photo down is most true to colour.
Hope your final Christmas makes are going well.
Dartmoor Creative 
Very pretty scarf!
Old Shale is one of my fav patterns – simple but looking so nice 🙂
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Thank you. Yes, a lovely easy pattern. Just a bit cross with myself for not doing it in more concentrated bursts to make the lace more even.
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Gorgeous scarf Bekki! and thanks for the great tip – I actually need to knit a quick gift to send overseas and this scarf ticks both boxes – at 50g it’ll be cheap(er) to post and quick to knit up – thanks so much!
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Thank you. Yes, it’s lovely and light, but of course being 2ply slows it down a little. Look forward to seeing it before you post it.
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I don’t usually stray into 2 ply territory but, if it’s as quick and easy as you say, I’ll maybe give it a go when I’m between larger projects. I like the story about no two families knitting the pattern in the same way. I sometimes knit a pattern in a different way to everybody else too 😉
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I’m not a big 2ply knitter either and I like to make things ‘my own’ too. I guess it was the way of personalising things in the past too, just like fishermen’s families having their own unique gansey patterns.
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Lovely scarf…. I am in awe of your blogging rate! Just when I think I am up to date another post hits my inbox! Go girl! lol
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Thank you, but don’t be. Last week’s jokes were a bit of a cheat and Sunday Seven’s is always a nice quick post.
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that is beautiful! I definitely want to give that a go 🙂
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Thank you. Oh yes, do. I always think how you’re bombing along with your knitting, so a few yarn overs and k2togs will be a cinch for you 🙂
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It has been saved to Ravelry so it’s on the list! I got given some cotton thread so may give it a go with that 🙂
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Excellent! 🙂 Look forward to seeing it.
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I love this and have downloaded it to give it a try. I probably won’t be starting it until after the new year thou. I can’t wait to try something new.
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Great to hear that. Have fun with it. Look forward to seeing it.
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Very petty and beautifully knit! love the color, Johanna
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Thank you! 🙂 x
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You have reminded me that I know this pattern from my early knitting days – long before the knit revolution that now teaches me something new every day………. I once knitted a jumper in this stitch and loved it for a long time! Thank you for the wonderful reminder, I shall have to find something to knit where I can make use of it again. 🙂 Your scarf is beautiful!
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Thank you. So pleased you found a lovely memory. And maybe a reminder that some of what may appear to be new is actually history?
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A very pretty scarf! Love the color! The stitch too! 🙂
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Thank you! 🙂
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It’s very pretty.
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Thank you 🙂
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The scarf is just so lovely! Thanks for sharing an easy pattern for people who might be thinking about giving knitting a go. 😉
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Thank you. Are you? If you don’t knit at all start with something easier than lace 🙂
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Very pretty and I love the kaleidoscope of pinks despite it being all one scarf! 😀
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🙂 Thank you.
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Beautiful!
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Thank you!
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Your scarf is really pretty, Bekki, and I love that pattern – whichever name you use for it. I’ve knitted a few garments with lacy parts to them, so I think this would be a nice relaxing knit. I’ve never used 2 ply, however. 4 ply is the finest I’ve used, so I don’t know how that would feel. But your scarf looks like something really lovely to wear.
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Thank you. Two ply isn’t that bad, although, yes, obviously slower than thicker yarn – but always longer per gram too, so I always feel like I’ve got a bargain.
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Ha ha. Do you have a plaque with ‘Bargain Hunter: Beware!’ written across it? One day, I’ll try all your recommendations, Becky (when I’m a free woman again!).
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Ha ha! Excellent! Are you nearly there yet?
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I’ll answer that after my blogging break in January.:) Hopefully, I’ll get a lot done in that time. If not, I’ll just keep at it. I hate to leave my blog, and doing that odd flash fiction last week has got me hankering to join in. I’ll just have to be strong… Oh, the pain of that… 🙂
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Hang on in there!
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I’m hanging precariously over a vat of hot oil – but it’s a nice, strong thread.
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🙂
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