Tienne

Tienne Knitted Scarf by Tante Ehm

What Is Being Made

Tienne is an elegant knitted scarf designed by independent designer Tante Ehm. This project creates a delicate, elongated triangular shawlette that measures 45 inches long and 21 inches wide at the bind-off edge, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or draping.

Craft and Primary Technique

This is a knitting project worked from a downloadable PDF pattern. The scarf employs an innovative construction method that begins with a single cast-on stitch and expands through strategic yarn-over increases placed at the beginning of every right-side row. This creates the characteristic elongated triangle shape that defines the garment's silhouette.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

Tienne utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined to create an elegant lace effect:

• Knit stitch (K): The basic foundation stitch used throughout the pattern
• Purl stitch: Worked on all wrong-side rows to create texture and structure
• Yarn over (YO): Creates decorative eyelets and lace openings; placed strategically at the beginning of right-side rows to increase stitches and form the triangular expansion
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease stitch that works in conjunction with yarn-overs to create the lace pattern repeats
• Cast on (CO) and bind off (BO): Foundation and finishing techniques

The pattern progresses through increasing rows that combine knit, purl, yarn-over, and decrease stitches in repeating sequences, building complexity as stitch count grows. The interplay between yarn-overs and decreases creates an open, airy lace fabric characteristic of delicate shawlettes.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

Tienne requires minimal yardage, making it an efficient project:

• Yarn: 1 skein of Rowan Kidsilk Haze (229 yards / 209 meters total)
• Yarn weight: DK weight with lace characteristics, providing drape and delicacy
• Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm needles, or size required to achieve proper gauge
• Additional tools: Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 14 stitches and 24 rows over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in the stitch pattern after steam blocking. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions. Steam blocking is recommended to even out the lace pattern and set the scarf's final shape and drape.

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as intermediate difficulty. While it uses basic knitting stitches, the combination of yarn-overs, decreases, and the expanding stitch count requires attention to pattern instructions and comfort with reading knitting abbreviations and row-by-row directions. The single-stitch cast-on and the geometric expansion method add moderate complexity suitable for knitters with foundational skills.

Design Notes

The scarf's elegant construction begins deceptively simply with just one stitch on the needle. The yarn-over placed at the beginning of every right-side row serves dual purposes: it increases the stitch count to expand the triangle and creates decorative eyelets that contribute to the lace aesthetic. As rows progress, additional yarn-over and knit-two-together combinations are introduced, building an increasingly intricate lace pattern while maintaining the triangular silhouette.