Product Description
In the Farseer series by Robin Hobb, FitzChivalry is bonded by the Wit to a wolf, Nighteyes. Nighteyes’ favorite food is porcupine, though he finds it difficult to get to the meat through the quills without assistance. This modified version of a Victorian lace pattern is a tribute to FitzChivalry’s wolf companion.
Whether beaded or not, this scarf is a lovely example of a by-gone era brought forward to enhance today’s fashions. This easy lace pattern creates a unique scarf to enjoy with or without beaded glints of light.
Solid, tonal, or gradient yarns work best to bring out the beauty of the lace pattern. With 400 yards of fingering weight yarn, you will need 960 size 8/0 or 6/0 beads. Size 6US/4.00mm needles make this a fast knit for yourself or gifting. Instructions are given for using fewer or no beads - the pattern is lovely either way.
You can use more or less yarn to shorten or lengthen the scarf. Easy instructions to do this are included.
Victorian Porcupine Lace Scarf by Elizabeth Ravenwood
Project Overview
The Victorian Porcupine Lace Scarf is a beginner-friendly knitted accessory designed by Elizabeth Ravenwood. This downloadable knitting pattern creates an elegant lace scarf inspired by Victorian lace techniques and named after the Porcupine Stitch, a modified version of traditional Victorian lace patterns. The design pays tribute to the character Nighteyes from Robin Hobb's Farseer series, a wolf companion bonded to FitzChivalry.
Finished Dimensions
The scarf is available in two finished sizes. The standard version measures approximately 13 inches wide by 45 inches long (23cm by 152cm), while the extended version measures 13 inches wide by 67 inches long (23cm by 170cm), offering flexibility for different styling preferences and yarn quantities.
Materials Required
This knitting project uses fingering weight yarn in 4-ply, with yardage requirements varying by size:
- Standard scarf: 400 yards / 366 meters of fingering weight yarn
- Extended scarf: 600 yards / 549 meters of fingering weight yarn
- Size 6US / 4.00mm knitting needles
- 2 stitch markers for tracking pattern repeats
- 960 beads (standard version) or 1440 beads (extended version) in size 8.0 or 6.0
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Knitting Techniques and Stitches
The Victorian Porcupine Lace Scarf employs lace knitting techniques as its primary construction method. The pattern features the Porcupine Stitch, a modified Victorian lace pattern that creates an intricate, openwork design characteristic of Victorian-era lace aesthetics. This technique combines traditional lace stitchwork with beadwork integration.
Beading techniques are a central component of this design. Crafters have two options for incorporating beads into the scarf: beads can be pre-strung onto the yarn before knitting begins, or individual beads can be inserted one at a time during the knitting process using a crochet hook or similar tool. This flexibility allows knitters to choose the method that best suits their comfort level and working style.
Skill Level and Gauge
This pattern is rated as beginner difficulty, making it accessible to knitters new to lace work and beading. Notably, gauge is listed as unimportant for this project, though the sample shown in the pattern was knitted at 6.5 stitches and 9 rows per inch (2.5cm). This relaxed gauge requirement makes the pattern more forgiving for beginners experimenting with tension control.
Pattern Format
The Victorian Porcupine Lace Scarf is provided as a downloadable PDF pattern, allowing immediate access to complete instructions, abbreviations, and any accompanying charts or diagrams needed to complete the project.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | 4 Ply |
| Pages: | 10 |
| Designer: | Elizabeth Ravenwood |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English, German |
| Notes: | Optional 960 8/0 or 6/0 beads. |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Beginner |
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