A Is For Ascot

A is for Ascot - toddler size

Oh man, this is a project that I finished quite some time ago, but then I couldn't photograph and post it because my wild third child didn't want to get in front of the camera to model. And, of course, as soon as I FINALLY snapped these pics he also let me cut his hair, which makes him look like less of a goober than he does in these photos. However, his gooberness aside - this is a fun cowl/scarf project that's perfect for a kid who keeps losing his or her scarfs (since there's a slit in one end and the other end tucks in!). It will also, adorably, make your child look ever-so-slightly like a sailor. :)

Sizes: Toddler (Child)

Yarn: Lang Yarns Mille Colori Baby (100% Virgin Wool; 208 yards [190 meters]/50 grams); #0050 - one skein (one to two skeins)

Could I have put him in a less
colorful shirt? Probably, but then
he would have been screaming.

Needles: One set of double pointed needles (dpns) in size US 4; one needle in size US 5 for provisional cast on

Notions: Tapestry needle

Gauge: 27 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette on size US 4 needles

And now that we've gotten that taken care of, let's make an ascot! First, then, using your size 5 needle, cast on 40 (48) stitches provisionally. Transfer to 3 of your size 4 dpns, distributing the stitches as follows: 20 stitches on your first needle, 10 stitches on your second needle, and 10 on your third (24 on your first; 12 on your second, 12 on your third). Join in round. Knit in stockinette until piece measures roughly 6" (7"), at which point we'll knit one decrease row, as follows. Notice that the rows are different for the two different sizes.

Decrease Row - toddler size: [(ssk, k1) three times, k2, (k1, k2tog) three times] twice (28 stitches)

Decrease Row - child size: [(ssk, k1) three times, k6, (k1, k2tog) three times] twice (36 stitches)

Complete decrease row, and then knit in stockinette until piece measures roughly 2" (2.5") from decrease row. Then we'll work an increase row, as follows. Again, they're different for the different sizes.

Increase Row - toddler size: [(k1, m1r, k1) three times, k2, (k1, m1l, k1) three times] twice (40 stitches)

Increase Row - child size: [(k1, m1r, k1) three times, k6, (k1, m1l, k1) three times] twice (48 stitches)

Complete increase row, and then knit in stockinette until piece measures roughly 1" (1.5") from increase row. If you're making the child size, knit these two decrease rows first:

Extra Decrease Row 1 - child size: [(ssk) twice, k16, (k2tog) twice] twice (40 stitches)

Extra Decrease Row 2 - child size: knit

Complete extra decrease rows 1 & 2 if you're working the child size. Then, for both sizes, we'll work more decrease rows, as follows. Notice that they are the same for both sizes.

Decrease Row 1: [(ssk) twice, k12, (k2tog) twice] twice (32 stitches).

Decrease Row 2 & all even rows: knit

Decrease Row 3: (ssk, k12, k2tog) twice (28 stitches)

Decrease Row 5: (ssk, k10, k2tog) twice (24 stitches)

Decrease Row 7: (ssk, k8, k2tog) twice (20 stitches)

Decrease Row 9: (ssk, k6, k2tog) twice (16 stitches)

Decrease Row 11: (ssk, k4, k2tog) twice (12 stitches)

Decrease Row 13: (ssk, k2, k2tog) twice (8 stitches)

Work decrease rows 1 - 13 (both sizes). Clip yarn tail, and, using tapestry needle, thread through remaining 8 stitches and pull tight. Since this is the only good opportunity you'll have to tuck in the two ends you have so far (one from the provisional cast on and one from this end), you'll want thread this end to the inside of the piece and then turn the piece inside out to tuck in both ends. Git 'er done, and then return your work to outside-out status. Then, using 3 of your dpns and in the same stitch clumps as before (you'll want your needle breaks to line up), transfer provisional stitches back to your needles. Beginning at the beginning of your first needle (so the needle that has 20 stitches on it), resume knitting in stockinette. Knit until piece measures roughly 12 - 13" (14" - 15") from the first decrease row. Once that's done, we'll decrease again, like so. Again, the rows will be different for the different sizes.

Decrease Row - toddler size: [(ssk, k1) three times, k2, (k1, k2tog) three times] twice (28 stitches)

Decrease Row - child size: [(ssk, k1) three times, k6, (k1, k2tog) three times] twice (36 stitches)

Complete decrease row and then transfer stitches to just 2 needles, so that there are 14 (18) stitches on your first needle (this should already be the case), and 14 (18) stitches on your second needle. Now we'll work the stitches back and forth on each needle before joining the ascot back in the round. So, starting with the 14 (18) stitches on your first needle, knit one row across. Then continue to work like so:

Row 1 (wrong side): slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in front, purl until end of row
 
Row 2 (right side): slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in back, knit until end of row

Knit rows 1 & 2 until piece measures roughly 2" (2.5") and you've just finished a right-side row. Clip yarn tail and then we'll move to the second set of held stitches. Transfer them to your needles and then, working from the right side of your second set of 14 (18) stitches, knit one row across. Then work like so:

Row 1 (wrong side): slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in front, purl until end of row
 
Row 2 (right side): slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in back, knit until end of row

Knit rows 1 & 2 until piece measures roughly 2" (2.5") and you've just finished a right-side row (just like the other half!). Since you're going to rejoin work in the round now, transfer the second half of the stitches on your second dpn to a third dpn (such that you have 14 stitches on your first, 7 on your second, and 7 on your third [18; 9; 9]). Rejoin in round, and knit one row around. Then, we'll work an increase row, as follows. Again, they're different for the different sizes.

Increase Row - toddler size: [(k1, m1r, k1) three times, k2, (k1, m1l, k1) three times] twice (40 stitches)

Increase Row - child size: [(k1, m1r, k1) three times, k6, (k1, m1l, k1) three times] twice (48 stitches)

As you did on the other side, complete increase row, and then knit in stockinette until piece measures roughly 1" (1.5") from increase row. Then, we'll work decrease rows to mirror the first ones, as follows. Again, if you're making the child size, knit these two decrease rows first:

Extra Decrease Row 1 - child size: [(ssk) twice, k16, (k2tog) twice] twice (40 stitches)

Extra Decrease Row 2 - child size: knit

Complete extra decrease rows 1 & 2 if you're working the child size. Then, for both sizes, we'll work more decrease rows, as follows. Notice that they are the same for both sizes.

Decrease Row 1: [(ssk) twice, k12, (k2tog) twice] twice (32 stitches).

Decrease Row 2 & all even rows: knit

Decrease Row 3: (ssk, k12, k2tog) twice (28 stitches)

Decrease Row 5: (ssk, k10, k2tog) twice (24 stitches)

Decrease Row 7: (ssk, k8, k2tog) twice (20 stitches)

Decrease Row 9: (ssk, k6, k2tog) twice (16 stitches)

Decrease Row 11: (ssk, k4, k2tog) twice (12 stitches)

Decrease Row 13: (ssk, k2, k2tog) twice (8 stitches)

Work decrease rows 1 - 13. Clip yarn tail, and, using tapestry needle, thread through remaining 8 stitches and pull tight. Tuck in remaining ends (you can get up in there by turning your work around through the little slit you just made). Place proudly on a kid!

This is a bonus picture. Because
of the face.