This scarf is a product of wanting to make and use a variety of Doctor Who themed knitting charts I've collected. Some I borrowed or adapted from other designers like Amy Shilling and Ruth Klein Cook. Others I created myself. This scarf is very similar to Amy's scarf pictured on her pattern submission.
This scarf is a product of wanting to make and use a variety of Doctor Who themed knitting charts I’ve collected. Some I borrowed or adapted from other designers and others I created myself.
I also wanted to learn how to double knit and this scarf seemed to be the perfect opportunity. Double knitting is the neatest way to work Intarsia and Stranded designs, no visible floats on the back side! There is no front and back side, both sides show the same designs in mirror images.
Of course double knit means double thick, so I used thin yarn and small needles to create a skinny scarf that is not too heavy or too warm. I have quite a collection of partially used or mostly used up sock yarns in various colors and textures, so I used only what I had on hand to create this colorful portfolio of Doctor Who icons. It was fun deciding what colors to match together that would best bring out the design.
Making a scarf like this one offers lots of opportunity for creativity as you play with colors and mix and match charts.
Doctor Who Portfolio Scarf
This pattern is for a double knit scarf. There are two stitches, knit and purl. There are no increases, decreases, bobbles or eyelets. Just a plan old scarf. The interest comes from make short panels and changing colors and charts as many times as you want. I did add a cute little furry crocheted trim on the ends after I finished knitting. You can be as creative as you want to be with this. The charts can also be adapted for socks or blankets or dishcloths, etc. Oh, and you don't have to double knit. I just really wanted to learn how.
This post includes six charts. The others will be included in the next few posts. There are a LOT of them.
Materials Needed
scrap sock yarn - the amount depends on how long you want to make you scarf. Estimated yardage per average sized panel is 50 yards (probably less).
size 1 (2.25 mm) needle, circular or straight
size 4 (2.0 mm) steel crochet hook for fixing boo-boos
size B or C crochet hook for adding trim
charts
Gauge is approximately 8 stitches and 11 rows per inch
Keep in mind that the size of yarn and needles you use will change the width and length of the scarf, so if you want a wide scarf, use a heavier weight yarn and larger needles.
Note: This is a double knit scarf. I am not including instructions for double knitting in this pattern, but I found these YouTube tutorials very helpful as this was my first double knit project.
These videos will show you the basics, but if you're like me you will want to browse several others until you get the gist of what you are about to accomplish. I did a lot of frogging during this stage of the learning process, so be patient.
Directions
Choose your desired two colors to complete the first panel. Join them them together with a slip knot.
CO 30 stitches in double knit.
For each panel follow this sequence of rows. When the panel is complete, choose two new colors or drop one color and add a new second color to complete the next panel. Keep doing this until you reach the length of scarf you want. The scarf in the pictures is 3.5" wide and 70" long, including trim.
Knit with MC and purl with CC for 3 rows
Follow Chart A to create a border for 3 rows
Knit with MC and purl with CC for 2 rows
Follow your chosen design chart until the design is completed
Knit with MC and purl with CC for 2 rows
Follow chart A to create a border for 3 rows
Knit with MC and purl with CC for 3 rows
Note: You don't have to follow this sequence. You can leave out the border rows, leave out the margin rows and start with the border rows. Change the border pattern if you want. This scarf and these charts are your playground!
Charts
Chart A
3D and Sonic glasses - for this one I duplicate stitched the lenses so that on one side they were 3D glasses and on the other side they were sonic sunglasses. I was able to fit to glasses charts in my panel.
Bad Wolf - I did not use this chart on my scarf because of the mirror effect double knitting has. You could put it in with duplicate stitch. I tried that but did not like how it turned out. It's a great chart though!
Logo
Are you my mummy?
Any writing seen on some panels is done with duplicate stitch. The reason for this is because double knitting creates mirror images, so the writing would be fine on one side but backward on the other side. If you do duplicate stitch on one side at a time, the words will be right on both sides.
