Noordzee

Noordzee Knitted Scarf and Shawlette by Rachel Brown

What Is Being Made

Noordzee is a versatile accessory design by independent designer Rachel Brown that functions as both a scarf and a shawlette. This piece can be worn as a traditional scarf around the neck or wrapped around the shoulders as a small shawl. The finished dimensions are approximately 13 inches (33 cm) deep from the back of the neck and 72 inches (183 cm) long along the top edge after gentle blocking, making it an elegant finishing piece suitable for layering during warmer months.

Construction Techniques

Noordzee employs a sophisticated two-part construction method. The design begins with a beaded lace border that creates an ornate, decorative edge. Once the border is complete, the body of the piece is worked using short-row shaping. This technique involves working back and forth across partial sections of stitches rather than completing full rows, which allows the knitter to create three-dimensional shaping and contoured curves without increasing or decreasing stitches in traditional ways. The short-row method is particularly effective for creating the gentle drape and fit needed for a garment that transitions between scarf and shawlette styling.

Stitches and Techniques Used

This intermediate-level pattern requires several fundamental and decorative knitting skills:

• Knitting and purling: Basic stitch foundation for the entire piece
• Increasing and decreasing: Essential for shaping and creating lace elements
• Beading with a crochet hook: A specialized technique where beads are placed on stitches using a small crochet hook (US 12/1.00 mm), with the hook pulling the bead over the completed stitch through the bead's center
• Lace stitches: The beaded lace border incorporates openwork elements created through yarn overs and decreases
• Slip, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over (sl1-k2tog-psso): A double decrease that creates refined shaping in lace patterns
• Knit 2 together (k2tog): A right-leaning decrease used throughout for shaping

Yarn and Materials

Noordzee is designed to be knit with Kettle Yarn Company Westminster, a luxurious blend of 50% camel and 50% silk. This yarn weight is 4-ply and provides 437 yards (400 meters) per 100 grams. The camel and silk combination creates a soft, breathable fabric with natural sheen and drape, making it ideal for a summer accessory. The pattern requires a US 12/1.00 mm crochet hook for the bead placement technique, in addition to knitting needles appropriate for 4-ply yarn.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. Knitters should be comfortable with basic knitting fundamentals including knit and purl stitches, increases, and decreases before beginning. The addition of beadwork and short-row shaping elevates this beyond a beginner project, making it suitable for knitters with some experience who are ready to expand their technical repertoire.