purlJam

# Machine Knitted Star Fan Scarf

This pattern creates a simple, rectangular scarf in stocking stitch, ideal for beginner machine knitters. The user's request for a "crocheted single crochet scarf" is interpreted here as a machine-knitted stocking stitch scarf to achieve a dense, plain fabric. The "Dallas Cowboys" theme is incorporated through color suggestions, and stars can be added as an optional embellishment.

**Skill Level:** Beginner Machine Knitter

**Finished Measurements:**
Approximately 7 1/8 inches (18 cm) wide x 67 3/4 inches (172 cm) long, after blocking.

**Materials:**
*   **Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn (Category 4). Approximately 350-400 yards (320-365 meters) of Main Color (MC) and a small amount (approx. 20-30 yards / 18-27 meters) of Contrast Color (CC) for optional stars.
    *   **MC Suggestion:** Navy Blue
    *   **CC Suggestion:** White or Silver
*   **Machine:** Standard Gauge Knitting Machine (e.g., Brother, Studio/Silver Reed, Toyota, Empisal, Knitmaster).
*   **Tools:**
    *   Waste yarn (smooth, contrasting color)
    *   Ravel cord
    *   Cast-on comb and appropriate weights (claw weights)
    *   Latching tool
    *   Tapestry needle (for seaming and duplicate stitch)
    *   Scissors
    *   Row Counter (RC)
    *   Stitch markers (optional)

**Gauge:**
4.5 stitches x 6.5 rows = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in stocking stitch on Main Bed, using worsted weight yarn at Tension 7.
*Please do a swatch to confirm your machine's tension setting for this yarn to achieve desired gauge.*

**Abbreviations:**
*   **MC:** Main Color
*   **CC:** Contrast Color
*   **RC:** Row Counter
*   **COR:** Carriage on Right
*   **COL:** Carriage on Left
*   **N:** Needle number (e.g., N10 means the 10th needle from 0)
*   **0:** Center needle
*   **T#:** Tension Dial setting

---

## Pattern Instructions

**1. Machine Setup:**
*   Set up your knitting machine for single bed knitting.
*   Bring 32 needles into working position (FWP) from N16L to N16R (N16-0-N16).
*   Attach cast-on comb and weights.
*   **Carriage Settings:** Set main bed carriage for plain knitting (e.g., "N" or "L" on Brother machines). Set stitch tension dial to T7.

**2. Waste Yarn & Ravel Cord Cast-On:**
*   **COR:** Thread waste yarn into the carriage. Knit 10-15 rows in waste yarn at T7. (RC: 0-15)
*   **COL:** Hang ravel cord under the last row of waste yarn.
*   **COR:** Thread **MC** (Navy Blue) into the carriage.

**3. First Mock Hem (RC: 0-10):**
*   **COL:** Knit 1 row with MC. (RC: 1)
*   **COR:** Continue knitting with MC for 9 more rows. (RC: 10)
    *   *RC Checkpoint: 10 rows completed for the first hem.*
*   **COL:** Set carriage to hold position (e.g., Part, H, P). Use a latch tool to pick up the loops from the 1st row of MC (the loops above the ravel cord) and hang them onto the corresponding needles. Ensure each loop is on its correct needle.
*   **COL:** Reset carriage to plain knitting. Knit 1 row over all needles. This secures the hem. (RC: 11)

**4. Scarf Body (RC: 11-430):**
*   **COR:** Continue knitting with MC in stocking stitch.
*   **RC: 430:** Knit until your Row Counter reads 430 rows.
    *   *RC Checkpoint: 430 rows completed for the scarf body (420 main body rows + 10 hem rows already counted).*

**5. Second Mock Hem (RC: 430-440):**
*   **COL:** Continue knitting with MC for 10 more rows. (RC: 440)
    *   *RC Checkpoint: 440 rows completed for the second hem.*
*   **COR:** After the last row (RC 440), set carriage to hold position. Pick up the loops from row 430 and rehang them onto the corresponding needles.
*   **COR:** Reset carriage to plain knitting. Knit 1 row over all needles. This secures the hem. (RC: 441)

**6. Waste Yarn Bind Off:**
*   **COL:** Cut MC, leaving a short tail. Thread waste yarn into the carriage.
*   Knit 10-15 rows in waste yarn at T7.
*   Remove weights, and take the fabric off the machine.

---

## Finishing

1.  **Remove Waste Yarn:** Gently unravel the waste yarn from both ends of the scarf. Carefully remove the ravel cord from the first hem.
2.  **Secure Hems:** For both mock hems:
    *   The first hem already has its edge secured by knitting over the rehung stitches.
    *   For the second hem, the waste yarn bind-off leaves live loops. You can either:
        *   **Latch Tool Bind-Off:** Use a latch tool to bind off the live stitches one by one.
        *   **Graft/Sew:** If you want a perfectly seamless finish, use a tapestry needle and a length of MC to graft the live stitches to the corresponding loops from row 440.
3.  **Weave in Ends:** Use a tapestry needle to neatly weave in all loose yarn ends.
4.  **Washing & Blocking:**
    *   Gently hand wash your scarf in cool water with a mild wool wash, if applicable.
    *   Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring).
    *   Lay the scarf flat on a clean, dry towel. Roll up the towel and scarf to absorb more water.
    *   Unroll and lay the scarf flat on a blocking mat or another clean, dry surface. Gently pat and shape it to the finished dimensions (approx. 7 1/8 inches x 67 3/4 inches).
    *   Allow to air dry completely. For a softer finish, steaming can be used carefully with an iron hovering over the fabric.

## Optional: Adding Stars Motif (Duplicate Stitch)

To add the "stars" motif, we recommend using the duplicate stitch technique with your Contrast Color (CC) yarn. This method creates the appearance of knitted-in stitches on top of your existing stocking stitch fabric, perfect for adding details after knitting.

**Materials:** Small amount of CC yarn (White or Silver), tapestry needle.

**Instructions for a Simple 5-Point Star (approximately 1 inch / 2.5 cm tall):**

This chart shows a star that is 5 stitches wide and 5 rows tall. Each square represents one knitted stitch.

```
    X
   XXX
  XXXXX
   XXX
    X
```
(Where 'X' represents a duplicate stitch in CC)

1.  Using your tapestry needle and CC yarn, starting from the back of the fabric, bring your needle up through the center of a 'V' stitch where you want the bottom point of your star to be (the single 'X' at the bottom).
2.  Follow the path of the original stitch, going under the two legs of the stitch above it, then back down into the same hole you came up through.
3.  Continue across the row, working each 'X' as a duplicate stitch.
4.  Move up to the next row of your star chart and repeat.
5.  Position stars as desired across the scarf, ensuring even spacing. You can create multiple stars of this size or adapt the chart for larger stars by expanding the grid.

Enjoy your custom Dallas Fan Scarf!