Refining the Cause and Effect Scarf

Indulged in a little big ten basketball tournament knitting action last night and this Cause and Effect scarf  (see this post and the complimentary pattern section over on the right side of the blog) was started and finished in one night in front of the TV - I told you it was a quick knit.   I decided to try a modification to refine the look of the scarf, tapered ends:  

This version is worked up in Noro Silk Garden.  This fantastic yarn is a blend of silk, mohair, and lamb's wool with the most beautiful long runs of color blends. I love this yarn in this pattern, and the colors are devine.  The silk gives this scarf some lovely body.  This version is made using only one skein - the blocked dimensions are about 4" wide and 48" long.

It may be best to be comfortable with the stitch pattern as written in the Cause and Effect pattern, before trying this modification.  At least work a swatch if you haven't already started a project.

I use a knit front and back (kfb) to make the increases.  Decreases are made by knit 2 together (k2tog).  See the pattern for other abbreviations.  Note these instructions have not be test knit by anyone other than me, and have not been tech edited yet.  Don't hesitate to let me know if you find a problem or have a question.

To taper the ends of the Cause and Effect Scarf: 

Cast on 3 stitches (these will be the center sts of the scarf).
row 1 - k1, yfsl1yo, k1
row 2 - kfb, yfsl1+yo, kfb (5 sts)
row 3 - p1, k1, yfsl1++yo, k1, p1
row 4 - kfb, k1, p1, sl1+++yof, p1, k1, kfb (7 sts)
row 5 - p2, k1, yfsl1++++yo, k1, p2
row 6 - kfb, k2, p1, brp+++++1, p1, k2, kfb (9 sts)
row 7 - p1, sl1yof, p1, k3, p1, sl1yof, p1
row 8 - kfb, yfsl1+yo, k1, p3, k1, yfsl1+yo, kfb (11 sts)
row 9 - p1, sl1++yof, p1, k3, p1, sl1++yof, p1
row 10 - kfb, sl1+++yof, k1, p3, k1, sl1+++yof, k1 (13 sts)
row 11 - p1, sl1++++yof, p1, k3, p1, sl1++++yof, p1
row 12 - kfb, brk+++++1, k1, p3, k1, brk+++++1, k1

Continue working rows 1-12 of pattern stitch (see pattern).  When scarf is about 2" (5cm) short of the desired length and having just worked row 6 of the pattern stitch, begin tapering the ends by k2tog each end of every odd numbered row while continuing in pattern until 3 stitches remain.  Work the last brp+++++1 row and then knit one more row.  Cut yarn and thread tail through remaining 3 live stitches, pull tight and secure by weaving in the tail. 

I really think this gives a refined look to the scarf.  If you give it a try, be sure to let me know how it works out.