Borden

Borden Lace Infinity Scarf by Laura Chau

What is Being Made

Borden is a cozy lace infinity scarf designed by Laura Chau as a reversible cowl that functions as both a practical accessory and an elegant fashion piece. The finished scarf measures 50 inches by 11 inches (127 centimeters by 28 centimeters) and forms a continuous loop, making it versatile for various styling options. The scarf is notable for its reversible design, displaying beautiful and distinct lace patterns on both sides of the fabric.

Techniques and Construction

Borden is knit flat using the back-and-forth knitting method rather than in the round, which simplifies the construction process for knitters. The pattern features two finishing options for creating the infinity loop: knitters can use a provisional cast on and graft the ends together using the Kitchener stitch, or alternatively, cast on using any preferred method and sew the ends together to form the continuous loop. This flexibility makes the pattern accessible to knitters with varying skill levels and preferences.

The reversible quality of this design is achieved through the Flags stitch pattern, which is adapted from Reversible Knitting by Lynne Barr (Stewart, Tabori and Chang 2009). This stitch creates a sophisticated lace fabric that appears intentionally designed and beautiful from either side, eliminating the typical "wrong side" that many knit projects have.

Stitches Used

The pattern utilizes lace stitches as the primary stitch technique, specifically the Flags stitch pattern adapted from established reversible knitting methods. This lace stitch creates the elegant, openwork design characteristic of the finished scarf while maintaining structural integrity and visual interest on both sides of the fabric.

Materials and Yarn

Borden is designed to be worked in worsted or aran weight yarn, requiring approximately 450 yards (410 meters) of yarn for the finished project. The pattern is shown in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted, a premium yarn composed of 100% superwash merino wool. This yarn provides exceptional softness and comfort, with each 4-ounce (115-gram) skein containing 225 yards (205 to 248 meters) of yardage. The project requires 2 skeins of the recommended yarn.

The pattern notes that Borden is easy to resize by substituting smaller or larger yarn weights and corresponding needle sizes, allowing knitters to customize the finished dimensions while maintaining the integrity of the lace stitch pattern. The superwash merino wool specified offers practical care advantages alongside its luxurious feel, making this scarf both beautiful and functional for everyday wear.

Difficulty Level

Borden is rated as an intermediate knitting project, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The reversible lace stitch requires attention to pattern work and understanding of lace knitting principles, while the straightforward flat construction and flexible finishing options help keep the project manageable.