La Piuma

La Piuma: Elegant Asymmetrical Knitted Scarf by Åsa Tricosa

What Is Being Made

La Piuma is an elegant and simple scarf inspired by the natural landscape where granite and water meet sky along the Sardinian shoreline. This asymmetrical design captures the essence of rivers flowing into the Mediterranean Sea through its thoughtful color palette and feathery construction. The finished scarf measures approximately 42 cm by 152 cm (16.5" by 60"), making it a versatile accessory that balances visual interest with wearable simplicity.

Construction Method

La Piuma is knitted in one piece from end to end, creating a seamless garment with intentional design elements throughout. The construction features asymmetrical feathery shapes positioned on either side of a central spine, giving the scarf its distinctive character. Rather than relying on complex stitch patterns, the design achieves its elegant appearance through strategic shaping and structural techniques.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Garter Stitch: The primary stitch throughout the scarf, creating a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges. Garter stitch is worked by knitting every row, making it accessible for intermediate knitters while providing visual depth.
• Short Rows: Used to create the asymmetrical feathery shapes on either side of the scarf. Short rows involve turning the work before completing a full row, building height and dimension in specific areas without adding stitches.
• Slipped-Stitch Spine: A central structural element created using slipped stitches, which provides definition and stability to the scarf's center line while maintaining the overall flow of the design.

Yarn and Materials

La Piuma is designed to be knitted in Miss Babs Woodbury Fingering Yarn, a 4-ply weight yarn composed of 65% Merino wool and 35% Tussah silk. Each 100-gram skein yields 366 meters (400 yards) of yarn. The pattern requires two color skeins: one main color (MC) and one contrasting color (CC), plus an additional skein of the main color. The recommended color combination features Sabbia (grey) as the main color paired with Mediterranean (blue) as the contrast, evoking the scarf's Sardinian inspiration. Alternative color options include Keramos (tan) with Bougainvillea (wine).

Approximate yarn requirements are 350 meters (380 yards) for the main color and 300 meters (330 yards) for the contrasting color. The blend of Merino wool and Tussah silk creates a yarn with excellent drape and a subtle sheen, ideal for a scarf that is meant to move gracefully.

Needles and Notions

Knitters will need 3.5 mm (US 4) needles, available in straight or circular styles measuring 60–80 cm (24"–32") in length. A single stitch marker is required to track pattern repeats or structural points. The circular needle option provides flexibility for managing the scarf's length as the project grows.

Gauge Information

The blocked gauge for La Piuma is 20 stitches by 34 rows over approximately 10 cm (4") in garter stitch. While gauge is not critical to the success of this design, it does affect the final dimensions and yardage requirements. Knitters who work at a tighter or looser tension will produce a scarf that is proportionally smaller or larger, respectively.

Skill Level

La Piuma is rated as an intermediate knitting project. While garter stitch itself is beginner-friendly, the combination of short-row shaping and slipped-stitch techniques requires familiarity with these intermediate methods. The one-piece construction and asymmetrical design demand attention to detail and pattern reading, making this an ideal project for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to explore shaping techniques.