Most of the items that I knit is cutesy girly scarfs or stuff for the kids, I haven’t done much “manly man hand-knitting” though there are a ton of patterns and books for man-knits. When I hand-make an item for someone, it’s an all-encomassing experience. I go overboard in the whole “personalization” thing, with the philosophy that there’s a PERFECT yarn for the perfect project for the perfect person and to discover that magical combination, I need to drag you to the yarn store with me.

The men in my life would rather change smoke detector batteries for the entire neighborhood than go yarn-petting with me.

I’ve had to adopt a new tactic to match yarn-pattern-people….I take my best guess on what someone would like, make it and if they don’t wear it (i.e. gets stuffed in back of a drawer or throw in the “regift” box) I’ll take it back and wear if myself 🙂

I recently learned how to knit the herringbone stitch from a book called Last Minute Knitted Gifts (book features a big poncho pattern) – I thought the the criss-cross “V” shaped stitch made into a scarf would be perfect for my Dad, who just celebrated his birthday last week.

The herringbone stitch is actually pretty easy (a how-to video is below) and I chose a very plush-soft but thick yarn – Cascade Eco Duo is made in Peru from 70% undyed baby alpaca / 30 percent undyed merino wool. It’s the type of yarn that you’d wish your bean bag was made out of and comes in a variety of natural shades.

While the front of the scarf features the herringbone design, the back of the scarf is a beautiful horizontal knit pattern.

And if Dad doesn’t wear it, I certainly wouldn’t mind snagging it back for myself!

 

How to Knit Herringbone Stitch

 

Knit Herringbone Scarf Pattern

Yarn used: Cascade Eco Duo (3 hanks)
Gauge: 4.5 stitches per inch
Needle size: US 8 (6.0mm)
Finished measurements: 11 inches wide x 56 inches long (If you want to make a skinnier scarf, decrease cast-on stitches, but keep it an odd number of stitches)

Cast on 49 stitches or to your desired width of scarf: 2 stitches on each side for the border and 45 stitches for the herringbone pattern. You should have an odd number for the herringbone pattern.

Row 1-3: Knit 3 rows garter (knit every stitch)

Row 4: (Right Side) Slip 1 purlwise, k1, *K2tog through back loops, but slip only the first stitch off the needle, leaving the
second stitch on the left needle*. Repeat to end until you only have 1 stitch left before the border stitches. Knit this last stitch through back loop, k2 (for the border)

Row 5: (Wrong Side) Slip 1 purlwise, k1, *P2tog, but slip only the first stitch off the needle, leaving the second stitch
on the left needle*. Repeat to end until you only have 1 stitch left before the border stitches. Purl this last stitch, k2 (for the border)

Repeat rows 4 & 5 until desired length of scarf

Last 3 rows: Knit 3 rows garter (knit every stitch). Bind off and weave in ends.