Margaret

Margaret Knit Scarf or Shawl by Threebagsfulled

Project Overview

Margaret is an intermediate-level knitting pattern designed by Threebagsfulled (© 2012 Hilary Designs) that creates a beautiful scarf or shawl suitable for knitters with some experience. This pattern was created for Cancer Awareness month to raise awareness about the importance of regular health screenings, with a portion of proceeds from pattern sales donated to cancer research.

What You Will Make

This project produces a versatile accessory that can be worn as either a scarf or shawl, depending on how the finished piece is styled. The design incorporates decorative elements that showcase intermediate knitting techniques while remaining achievable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and simple shaping.

Materials Required

• Yarn: 470 yards of fingering weight yarn (also referred to as 4-ply weight)
• Needles: Size 7 needles
• Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle for finishing

Knitting Techniques Used

Margaret employs several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and texture to the finished piece:

• Yarn overs (yo): Used to create decorative openwork and lace elements throughout the pattern
• Decreases: The pattern utilizes both skp (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) decreases, which are directional decreases that create a refined appearance when used strategically
• Make bobble (MB): A textured stitch technique that creates three-dimensional bobble elements as decorative accents
• Through the back loop stitches: Both knit and purl stitches worked through the back loop (tbl and Ptbl) add subtle texture variation
• Knit front and back (kf&b): An increase technique used to shape the piece
• Pick up and knit (p/u&k): Allows for seamless integration of new sections or edges

Stitches Featured

The pattern combines fundamental knitting stitches with decorative techniques:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches as the foundation
• Knit two together (K2tog) for basic decreasing
• Slip stitch (sl1) for various shaping and textural effects
• Yarn overs to create lace and openwork sections
• Bobble stitches for dimensional embellishment

Pattern Structure

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and includes detailed instructions for specialized techniques. Stitch markers are essential for tracking pattern repeats and shaping sections throughout the project. The use of markers (PM and sm for slip marker) helps knitters maintain accuracy when working the intermediate-level stitch sequences.

Skill Level Considerations

Classified as an intermediate project, Margaret is ideal for knitters who are comfortable with basic stitches and have experience with simple shaping and decreases. The inclusion of bobble stitches and directional decreases makes this pattern suitable for crafters looking to expand their technical skills while creating a wearable, meaningful accessory.