purlJam

# TITLE: The Nordic Pathway Pocket Scarf-Cardigan

A beginner-friendly hybrid garment that combines the warmth of a scarf with the structure of a cardigan. Featuring a simple geometric Fair Isle motif, this piece is worked flat in sections and seamed.

### MATERIALS
*   **Yarn**: Worsted weight (Category #4). 
    *   Main Color (MC): 900 (1000, 1100, 1200, 1300) yards.
    *   Contrast Color (CC): 200 (250, 250, 300, 300) yards.
*   **Needles**: 
    *   Main: US 7 (4.5 mm) straight or circular needles.
    *   Ribbing: US 5 (3.75 mm) straight or circular needles.
*   **Notions**: Tapestry needle, measuring tape, 4 buttons (1 inch diameter).

### GAUGE
20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in Stockinette Stitch on US 7 needles.
*Note: Correct gauge is essential to ensure the pockets and cuffs align correctly.*

### SIZES
XS (S, M, L, XL)
*   **Width**: 8 (8.8, 9.6, 10.4, 11.2) inches.
*   **Total Length**: 60 (62, 64, 66, 68) inches.
*   *Instructions are written for XS with larger sizes in parentheses.*

### ABBREVIATIONS
*   **k**: knit
*   **p**: purl
*   **st(s)**: stitch(es)
*   **RS**: Right Side
*   **WS**: Wrong Side
*   **MC**: Main Color
*   **CC**: Contrast Color
*   **St st**: Stockinette Stitch (Knit RS rows, Purl WS rows)
*   **k2tog**: knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
*   **ssk**: slip, slip, knit (decrease)

### NOTES
1.  **Colorwork**: When working the Fair Isle sections, carry the unused yarn loosely across the back (floats). Do not pull tight, or the fabric will pucker.
2.  **Edge Stitches**: Slip the first stitch of every row purlwise to create a clean chain edge for seaming.
3.  **Sizing**: This garment is designed to be worn over the shoulders like a wrap, with the "Sleeves" acting as wrist cuffs.

---

### BACK
*The Back is the central panel of the scarf that sits across the shoulders.*
Using Ribbing Needles and MC, cast on 40 (44, 48, 52, 56) sts.
**Row 1 (RS)**: *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
**Row 2 (WS)**: *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Repeat these 2 rows until ribbing measures 2 inches.

Switch to Main Needles.
**Next Row (RS)**: Knit.
**Next Row (WS)**: Purl.
Continue in St st until piece measures 30 (31, 32, 33, 34) inches from cast-on edge.
Bind off all sts loosely in knit.

### LEFT_FRONT
*The Left Front serves as one hanging end of the scarf and includes the colorwork section.*
Using Ribbing Needles and MC, cast on 40 (44, 48, 52, 56) sts.
Work 2 inches in 2x2 ribbing as established in BACK.

Switch to Main Needles and begin **CHART A**:
**Row 1 (RS)**: Follow Row 1 of Chart A, repeating the 4-st motif 10 (11, 12, 13, 14) times.
**Row 2 (WS)**: Follow Row 2 of Chart A, reading left to right.
Continue through Row 8 of Chart A, then repeat Rows 1-8 twice more (24 rows total of colorwork).

Break CC. With MC only, continue in St st until piece measures 15 (15.5, 16, 16.5, 17) inches from cast-on edge.
Bind off all sts.

### RIGHT_FRONT
Work exactly as for LEFT_FRONT.

### SLEEVES
*The sleeves serve as the cuffs that turn the scarf into a wearable wrap.*
Using Ribbing Needles and MC, cast on 40 (44, 48, 52, 56) sts.
Work 3 inches in 2x2 ribbing.
Switch to Main Needles.
Work in St st for 4 inches.
**Decrease Row (RS)**: k2, k2tog, knit to last 4 sts, ssk, k2. (38, 42, 46, 50, 54 sts).
Work 1 inch in St st.
Bind off all sts.

### BUTTON_BANDS
*The button bands are worked along the inner edges of the Front panels.*
With RS facing, using Ribbing Needles and MC, pick up and knit 3 sts for every 4 rows along the long edge of the LEFT_FRONT.
**Row 1 (WS)**: *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
**Row 2 (RS)**: *k2, p2; repeat from * to end.
Bind off in rib.
Repeat for RIGHT_FRONT, but on Row 2, create 2 buttonholes evenly spaced near the bottom (yo, k2tog).

---

### CHARTS

**CHART A: Diamond Seed Motif (4 sts x 8 rows)**
*Read RS rows (odd) Right-to-Left; Read WS rows (even) Left-to-Right.*

```
8: □ □ □ □ 
7: □ ■ □ □ 
6: ■ □ ■ □ 
5: □ ■ □ □ 
4: □ □ □ □ 
3: □ □ ■ □ 
2: □ ■ □ ■ 
1: □ □ ■ □ 
   [Repeat]
```
**KEY:**
□ = MC (Main Color)
■ = CC (Contrast Color)

*   **Row 1 (RS)**: k2 MC, k1 CC, k1 MC.
*   **Stitch Count Validation**: 4-stitch repeat fits into 40, 44, 48, 52, 56 perfectly.

---

### FINISHING
1.  **Blocking**: Soak all pieces in lukewarm water with wool wash. Pin to measurements, ensuring the colorwork sections are flat.
2.  **Assembly**: 
    *   Sew the cast-off edge of the BACK to the cast-off edges of the LEFT and RIGHT fronts. You now have one long continuous scarf.
    *   Fold the bottom 6 inches of each Front panel up (RS together) and seam the sides to create pockets.
    *   Fold SLEEVES in half lengthwise and sew the side seam to create a tube. 
    *   Attach the SLEEVE cuffs to the side edges of the BACK panel where it meets the FRONTS, centering the cuff over the shoulder seam.
3.  **Buttons**: Sew buttons to the Left Front band to correspond with buttonholes on the Right Front.
4.  **Weave in Ends**: Secure all yarn tails on the WS.