Projects
Kaffe’s Coins Scarf: The Long or the Short of It
Dear Ann,
Help me out! I’m ready to finish my Coins Scarf from MDK Field Guide No. 13.
Here’s the sitch.
In these photos, I’ve just finished Stripe Number 45, or 9 units of 5 stripes (10 colors).
My 10-color recipe was inspired by Cristina’s variation on Kaffe’s pattern.
The scarf measures nearly 66 inches at this point (unblocked).
Important factor: the person to whom I will give this scarf likes to wear their scarves short-ish, with the ends just overlapping each other at the front, peeking out over the top of the coat.
So: We are not talking about a full-on, French-looped or otherwise multiply twined scarf. If I make it long enough for those two stylings, it will hang down too low for my friend.
Having been knit in a tube, this scarf is a double thickness of double-stranded fabric. Plus there are all those unwoven ends inside, adding extra cushiony warmth. A simple overlap is all it needs to be warm enough for most circumstances.
My current plan, unless you talk me out of it, is to bind off now, at 45 stripes and plus or minus 66 inches long.
Seeking Finishing Advice
I’ve never made a tubular scarf before, so this will be a new knitter’s merit badge for me. It’s also a bit of a puzzler. Here’s what the pattern says about finishing this scarf.
“Weave in ends; block as desired. Sew cast-on edge closed; sew bound-off edge closed.”
Ann! How shall I weave in ends? What block do I desire? And most importantly, how do I sew the ends closed?
I am looking for guidance on all of these questions. Here are my inclinations, ready for comments and corrections.
- Weaving in ends: Not gonna do it. I shall turn the scarf tube inside out, then Assess the Ends. I will not weave them into the fabric, except in the (rare) places where the fabric is loose and would benefit from a touch of weaving. I’ll tie square knots, clip all the ends to about 2 inches and check this task off as Done. Do I hear any objections?
- Blocking: Much as I love a good old-fashioned wet block, I think I’ll just apply steam. Felted Tweed is so well behaved it practically blocks itself. What say ye, knitting rabble?
- Sewing the cast-on edge closed: There being no provisional cast-on, I’m opting for whip-stitch in a matching color, and hoping for the best. [Crosses fingers.]
- Sewing the bound-off edge closed: I’m going to leave the stitches live, divide them onto two needles, and work a three-needle bind-off (yay! my favorite!) in a matching color.
What say you all?
Going, going, gone . . .
Love,
Kay
The scarf is amazing, wonderful work of fiber art.
I agree with you on the length considering your friend’s preference. What a great friend you are, Kay. I don’t know if I could give the scarf away it is,so beautiful.
On the topic of weaving in all those ends knot and clip.
Lastly, your bind off ideas sound perfect, too. Whip stitch is often my choice. Three needle bind off on other end will give a neat finish.
Again, thanks for sharing Kaffe’s coin scarf. I love MDK snippets and shop.
That scarf and those colors are glorious! You are an awesome knitter!
I have heard that a Kaffe never wove in ends!
I’m going to validate that based on his glorious, huge swatches. The legend is true.
What a beautiful scarf!
Thirty years ago I went to a Kaffe book signing and at someone’s request, he displayed the inside of his sweater: ends were knotted, not even trimmed, it looked like a super-colorful shag carpet. He said he didn’t understand why anyone would spend time weaving in ends when they could be knitting! Since then, I have tied off the ends that in a few appropriate projects & moisten the yarn ends before knotting, so it will dry in the shape of the knot. I at least imagine that makes it more resistant to undoing itself…
When you know know in advance that you will be knotting the ends, a weaver’s knot is much smaller than a square knot and can be done as you knit. However I have a hard time getting a weaver’s knot snugged up to the work if I wait until the knitting is finished and try to do it then.
Weavers knot is the best thing I ever learned in a knitting class many years ago with Sally Melville! She said people who don’t knot are way too hung up on “the right way to do things” and a weavers knot will never come undone, so knot away and keep knitting. Been using it every since!
PS – what a beautiful scarf! I may have to try this!
I am so trying the weaver’s knot on my next project. I’d never heard of such a thing before reading your comment, so I googled, and it makes so much sense for knitting. Thanks for sharing.
A weaver’s knot! Brilliant! That may be one of the best tips all year.
I’m generally not at all a fringe person, but a tubular scarf, even with busy patterning, begs for fringe. I’ve knit several sock yarn scarves with the leftovers from patterned sock yarn. During the process, I carried both yarns for 10-15 stitches before introducing the next mini skein, while making my starting point in a different place so I didn’t get a lumpy area with all the ends bunching. That’s a whole lotta ends you got there, and I wouldn’t even entertain the idea of weaving them in. I don’t even sew up the edges to close the tube; it’s right to fringing. Once blocked, you don’t even know you skipped that process. This scarf is magnificent and by putting fringe on will tie all those gorgeous colors together. Beauty !
I agree with those who suggested fringe! I think it would add a linear element to all the circles. However, if the recipient would not like fringe then you will want to honor that. Your work is absolutely beautiful and I have no business giving YOU a suggestion. It’s a stunning piece!
I agree. I think this scarf wants fringe. I’d be tempted to do my fringe bundles in a gradient of colors so that there’s kind of a rainbow effect from all the colors in the scarf happening in the fringe, but I’m a sucker for all things rainbow, so I might not be the one to consult on that.
Yes, this!!
I agree with the last comment, I would knot fringes of all the colours using two stitches and a knot with maybe three inches of yarn for the fringe.
I concur with your choices. Eons ago a teacher at a TNNA class showed me the joy of tying a square knot and trimming ends, so that is definitely a viable solution.
Of course, when I knit fair isle I stop every couple of inches and weave in the ends as I go (she said in a sanctimonious tone of voice).
I can hear that muttered “bless your heart,” Wendy.
I have knit a similar tubular scarf and closed it by doing a short rib. Picking up all stitches around, k1,p1 on the first row or two and then k1,p1 together on the next round to close. Knit in rib as long as you desire. It gives a nice neat and tidy ending.
I second the idea of ribbing rather than sewing together. Why deny your friend the opportunity to turn that scarf inside-out and be amazed that it’s AS NEAT ON THE INSIDE AS THE OUTSIDE,which, in the long-ago years of my youth, my grandma convinced me was CRUCIAL! I still get a great deal of pleasure out of marvelling at the wrong side of stranded knitting, and I recommend sharing this pleasure.
You could also perhaps sew on a piece of light, soft fabric as a backing much like in a quilt and tuck those suckers in…another option.
Regarding the length sounds like you are most definitely there….
Kay, I just finished the Coin scarf yesterday. You inspired me when you visited A Good Yarn in Sarasota. I love, love, love it!
I didn’t weave in he ends but tied knots and trimmed as you are planning to do. Only a couple of loose ends were woven in.
I did wet block it, It is drying as we speak.
Mine is longer than yours as my gift recipient would like it long (I think, I hope). I did 55 units, using 10 different colors. I did not replicate any rows which made it a little challenging but so happy with the result.
Judy what the heck? Are you knitting in your sleep? That’s impressive! Yes, the latter stripes get a little challenging if you are trying not to duplicate combos, but I think I did it for my 45 stripes. The one thing I didn’t like was when the two colors were too close in value. Made it hard to knit in dimmer light. But I actually love those stripes, as they give a nice blend to the mix of contrasty colors. A place for the eye to rest. So fun I want to cast on another one. (And I seem to have plenty of yarn for another one.)
Fringe is a very personal thing….it would look great, with al the colors.
However, if sewing the ends is the choice, rather than whip stitching the cast on end you could work mattress stitch or duplicate stitch to join the ends. Then it will look like the knitting is continuous. If you Kitchener the live stitch end they will match, though the three needle bind off does make a lovely seam.
I vote for Kitchener stitch as well. By the time you’re done, you will never again have to consult how to do it — you will have this knocked!
Your ideas sound right on to me. But why pass up an opportunity to practice your Kitchener stitch to close the ends? Then it will be truly seamless?
When the scarf is inside out close the cast on end with some sort of non bulky seam….then Kitchener the bind off edge. Should(?) match the other end. Kudos.
Someone suggested grafting in the forum comments. And judys magic caston to start.
My thought exactly for the cast on. Hindsight.
I think you have to wet block, just to give it a wash and get it super nice. That is of course already super nice…. Felted Tweed has such great colours!
Kay,
THANK YOU!!! OMG! In preparation for choosing a pattern from FG #13 I pulled out the Tumbling Blocks pillow kit from Rowan I started knitting ages ago and stared at all of the ends. I shuddered at the thought of weaving them in and was wondering how to best handle them. I think I’m going to knot & clip and keep it moving!
Thank you and Ann for these wonderful newsletters! They are incredibly helpful and entertaining as well.
Thank you ladies for everything you do.
Have a great holiday season!
Natalie
I made that kit and had so many holes at the joins that I ended up felting it and making a fabulous large-scale coaster out of it. One of my favorite FOs.
Not to make anybody feel old but I think that was the 25th anniversary kit. Rowan is now 40!
I still have this kit marinating in my stash! Sounds like it might be ready to knit!
I’m a newbie at knitting and thank my lucky stars for finding this site. The posts each day are so funny but also instructional, and most importantly, encouraging. Ann and Kay, you are with me each day during morning coffee. I have ordered several items from your shop and shipping was fast, items never disappoint. Last week I finished my first ever sock! Ladies please keep it up, you are a gift to the knitting community.
Marsha, thanks so much for these sweet words–music to our ears. You are going to love knitting, I predict!
Another way of handling ends that originate in a row like this is to braid them, picking up new and dropping old ones as you go. Trim after a wash to set them.
Ooh, I like this idea!
Lovely! What a great gift! And…all your proposed finishes sound sensible. I actually like ironing in general, and love a good steam block for my knittingI I am also a big fan of the 3-needle bind off, so the only change I might make would be in step 3. Would it be possible to finish the cast on edge by picking up stitches and doing a 3-needle bind off on that end, too? I know that the result will be beautiful, whatever you decide to do!
I like this idea so both ends match.
This would be my vote too; 3 needle bindoff on both ends.
I was also thinking the ends matching would be nice. Would crocheting through the cast on end and slip stitching your way across (putting the hook through the front and back for each stitch) create an edge very close to the three needle bind off?
1) I do tubular cowls and scarves and Never weave in all the ends…that is the glorious hidden delight! I just make sure they are secure!
2) my go-to ( And I like to think original ) blocking trick…is to fill a spray bottle with water and a capful of Wrapture, which is rinseless….pin the woolen object and then wet spray block it….blocks beautifully, and smell goods too!
I just started my ten color coin….and having quite a bit of fun!
Hope my 2 cents worth helps
I’m going to line my bag, so I’m definitely NOT weaving in ends! When I make this scarf – nope, not weaving in ends. Knowing that those ends are hiding inside and no one will ever see them has been totally freeing!! I did wet-block mine, but that’s because I’m going to use the knitted part as a pattern to cut out the fabric lining.
I may break down and give in to my deep longing to wet-block every dang thing.
Just do it! I always do.
Knotting works just fine but I am also in the camp that prefers that the two ends look the same, whether with fringe or with bindoff/closing techniques that have a similar appearance on both ends. However, the recipient is incredibly fortunate no matter what you choose to do and you should do whatever makes your heart sing.
I love your scarf! I made the cowl and you will be very happy if you wet block it.
Not being much of a knitter, but more of a sewist, all those knots would scare the daylights out of me. I’ve seen how easily they come apart in finished garments. Is that what you really want? To have your lovely gift come apart? I would spend the time and weave in the ends, just for a short length, so I would have the peace of mind knowing they would never come out. You could watch Mrs Maisel while doing so, or a bunch of Hallmark Christmas movies. Your end treatments sound great, I’m not a fringe fan.
Truly no danger of it coming apart, no matter how I handle the ends.
I always worry that steaming will set any stains I’ve inadvertently gotten by dragging my knitting around through my day.
I know! Even though this one has escaped coffee spills, it has been on two airplane round trips and I’m pretty sure I’m going to need to properly wash it to satisfy my compulsion.
I’ve done a fair isle scarf similar to this. I tied the ends, did NOT cut them off as they add insulation and did NOT sew the bottom ends together. Instead, I crocheted a gently contrasting color row in the round to finish it off. This scarf is too pretty for messy tangly fringe.
Three-needle bind off, right sides together, flip, then whipstitch other end?
On a tubular scarf, I do this: (1) use provisional cast on to start; (2) tie and clip any ends, using weaver’s knot; (3) put 1/2 of un-bound-off end stitches on each of 2 circs and join with 3 needle bind off, wrong sides together; (4) undo provisional cast on to get live stitches and repeat step (3). End result, matching chained bindoffs on both ends. No fringe as it would mat and distract from colorwork.
I vote that you tie and trim the ends. It will lie flatter. If it were me, I would Kitchener the ends because I don’t mind Kitchener anything, but since most people amount do that, my next choice would be to either crochet or three needle bind off the ends, using a different color on each end. Perhaps instead of fringe you might consider a hassle at each corner?
My alternative to set blocking would be steam: lay it out flat, place a set towel over it, and lightly run a very hot iron over the set towel. Don’t press down. Oodles of steam, but dries quickly. It will elevate the stranded knitting to a higher plane.
I love the idea of a hassle at each corner! Hehehe! Thanks Ellen! xxx
I love Kitchener now (thanks Lorilee Beltman!) but would you believe that I forgot that I love Kitchener now?
Your plan is perfection– practical, effective, and avoids complication in the most complicated season if the year! You go, girl. I am dying to start, but have put yarn on Christmas list for my children. In what I believe is the spirit of Kaffe, I will work creatively with those skeins, plus maybe a few more. So,I am biding my time finishing the 3 pair of socks I have in progress. Yours is a stunning project and the wearer should flaunt it joyfully!
I love your idea for the ends! What a timesaver!! That perfect for this type of item.
I am with you on weaving in the ends. I would do it your way and move on. Not like anybody’s going to see inside.
I can see a line or two of crochet making a nice accent at the end, but I cannot believe no one has yet typed the words
Ladder Stitch
Ladder Stitch
for closing the ends.
So useful, so many mesmerizing video gifs, also so damn good.
I’m curious. Ladder stitch? Have to go see about this!
Off to google this famous ladder stitch. Thanks, Ambs.
I’m also making a tubular scarf (completely different pattern!) and, as a novice, was really excited to see this post as now I know how to finish! My plan was to make little pompoms for the ends 🙂
The little pompoms idea is so great, they would echo the dots in such a cute way. Alas my recipient is not a pompommer, I fear. Just a hunch. But for my own scarf: definitely tiny pom poms all along each end.
Or,, make one more row incorporating both halves and place bobbles along it. I have a scarf like that! So much neater than fringe and repeats the circle motif.
Little pompoms could be super cute, too. I wonder how they would feel tucked inside a coat, though.
I think I’d want them on a longer scarf for my personal taste, so I could leave them out all the time so people could see the cuteness.
Block it anyway. Ive made more felted tweed than anybody on the earcth – it relaxes and puffs up so nicely in its bath. It’s a must.
Agree about your ends.
I would picj up and knit the cast on edge and then finish the same way as the otehr end so it looks exactlythe same.
I would hem the ends. Knit a purl ridge or picot for the turning ridge, then knit same number of rows as one stripe and sew the live stitches down.
OOPS TYPOS!! (I got too excited…sorry -it’s GORGEOUS)
I agree with all of your stated options Kay!!!
And also agree with a previous commenter about how beautiful this is and how hard it would be to part with!! And yes: that makes you an amazing friend!!!
Kay, I didn’t read the comments yet, so someone may have already said this- I like the plan for weaving ends, but leave them long, otherwise it will be thicker on the side with the ends. Block it for real – you know you want to! Unless time is an issue of course. Finally, couldn’t you pick up the cast on end and 3 needle bind off, for a matching edge? Not looking at it closely, so it’s hard to say if this is really an option. If it’s not, you could crochet a chain over the end for a match to the 3 needle bind off. (I like things to match, whenever possible. It’s a sickness.)
It’s freakin gorgeous, and you have a very lucky friend!
Thank you for sharing these great practical questions in this GORGEOUS project. I’m doing a Kaffe’s coins sofa cushion myself as my first MDK Field Guide 13 project. It’s my first time using Felted Tweed and my original gauge was so far off I broke down and made a swatch just to figure out how many stitches to cast in for round 2. I love love LOVE the transformation brought about by a full-on wet block— why wouldn’t you do that? It also mimics what your gift recipient will likely need to do eventually. And of course I won’t be weaving in anything—I am actually intrigued by the recommendation above to leave the ends long to distribute the extra bulk inside the scarf. I do love matching ends—of all the recommendations above I’m drawn to either 3-needle bind offs on both ends or the I-Cord in a contrasting color. I think I might want to try the I-cord idea all around the edge of my sofa cushion cover. THANK YOU again for all the Kaffe festivities and fun with color these recent weeks!!!
Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!
It’s a STUNNAH ! I am many stripes behind you on this same project but I’ll still tell opine how to finish yours (heh!).
1- knots and trim —definitely! Is that even a question
2- super steamy block should do it
3- haven’t thought this far ahead. I might opt for sewing closed discreetly in matching color but then adding some twee tiny pompoms in contrast colors…….depends on the giftee though. Mine is for me me me.
Super inspiring! I need a hall pass away from my office and other projects to knit on mine. Xox
The tiny pom poms are a must! If not for my recipient’s rather sober tastes this one would be getting the tiny pom pom treatment (tppt).
Wounldnt touch those ends. That’s nuts.
I’m here with one of my favorite grad students and in our desire to avoid work, we are debating your questions. Our main suggestion is that you consider an I-cord bind off in a contrasting color in order to add a little weight to the ends to ensure they don’t curl much.
Intriguing…..
FRINGE, FRINGE, FRINGE! The ends are practically BEGGING for it. See “The Hipster” (on Ravelry for a short fringe option which would be amazing on this scarf. I don’t usually go for fringe, but this one is very tidy. Beautiful scarf btw – what a lucky friend!
I cast my vote for leaving the ends long, to allow you to spread the slight extra bulk across the full width of the scarf. I might do a barely-woven-in weave, just a super-loose stitch every couple of inches, misted lightly, patted down and dried, before gently turning the scarf right side out. On blocking, I’d steam it first, check it out, and then decide whether to do a full wet block. On the ends, I would probably do a simple bind off, baste closed before blocking. and decide on the edge after blocking is done. (I’m seeing a blanket stitch in a contrasting color, in a yarn with no tweedy bits)
Awesome scarf!
Oh oh 3 needle bind off, OR , crochet from the inside.
I would not weave in either, I would not knot, , it might leave bumps that you can feel the tails are long enough they are not going anywhere… Blocking only if it’s too wobbly… However I am not in favor of the three needle bind off.. It will leave a distinct little border quite different from the other side… how about just binding off and finish it exactly as the other side.
What about doing your 3 needle bind off on the live end and pick up stitches on the cast on end, in the background color. Then do a 3 needle bind off leaving a hole big enough to turn the scarf. The hole stitches would be bound off and sewn shut.
After reading all the comments, I went back to look at the scarf again. You should wet block with it inside out and distribute the ends a bit. Maybe put the ends in the middle. Also, whatever finish you decide on for the ends, it should be the same for both ends. Easy enough to pick up from the cast on stitches to do the same as for the top.
My first thought for the cast on edge – with it inside out, single crochet the edges closed, like a seam.
Second – with it right side out, single crochet it like a seam and have the “v’s” show.
Like the 3 needle bind off for the live stitches depending on the look if done inside out or not.
Then, the Kitchner stitch for the live stitches might work, too.
Lots of possibilities!
Mary
I didn’t realise it was a slideshow up top the first time I looked. You have created something truly beautiful. I was all for a fringe to close the ends when I first saw it. But I think if the recipient appreciates knitting and fabrics in general I would be tempted to put on a short fringe but leave the ends open so the inside of the fabric can be admired too, it’s gorgeous. I thoroughly agree about no weaving in the ends though.
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/RheumtoCreate/1674-dots/slideshow?fullscreen=1&start=35662885
I keep seeing this scarf, and it reminds me of one I made in 2013.
This is amazing Kay!! I can’t believe you can bear to give it away.
1. Definitely tie or just do nothing – the ends are on the inside so who cares?
2. I’m team always wet-block!
3. I like the idea of having something a bit more substantial at the ends, especially for a short-scarf-wrapper as the weight helps hold them down. Maybe a short fringe or some ribbing or even an icord bindoff so the tube is actually open?? Or how about some tiny pompoms?
I say You’ve Got This! And then, immediately cast on another for yourself.
I saw the picture on IG and was almost afraid to come read the post. What a relief to know no one is going to be weaving in all those ends! Whew.
Can I just say how much I LOVE MDK crowd-sourcing? So many brilliant and talented Knitters!
I did all of the things that you are proposing. Great minds.
I gotta say, nice floats! Mine sometimes look like the knitting equivalent of bed head!
Hi! This is wonderful! Just barely $.02, I like to leave the ends unsewn together, that way when it’s worn the ends of the scarf are more fluid and don’t have a solid bottom line that twists or seems to need to fall a certain way. I’ve done both a bit of rib or seed. Or a purl ridge (even afterthought), and a knit hem (love a knitted in message or year), then that just whipstitched into place (cast off loosely or live stitches). Guess I have to go make one of these now, don’t I?!
I had been looking at this on my phone during the week, but just opened up the computer, and
I
AM
GOBSMACKED.
What great colors! Truly amazing. It’s hard to get up from the machine to go be productive. I’m just mesmerized by these colors.
The rest is easy–weaver’s knots and three needle bind off.
I’m not much into fringe, but I do like the suggestion that linear fringe in the 10 colors nicely compliments the coins. WHAT ever you do, it’s just a spectacular piece and nifty tribute to extraordinary designers–of the yarn, and the pattern.
Finish the ends with a three needle bind off done with the scarf inside out. Work one end entirely, then work the second end leaving a few stitches unknit (and thereby a hole) for turning the scarf right side out. Turn and do a bit of mattress (or other) stitch to close the turning hole.
Looks bee-yoo-ti-ful!
I agree with you totally about weaving in the ends. But I would wet bock because this makes all the fibers play together better than any other method, and this is such a beautiful scarf it would take it just over the top. I also think the sewn end finish would look that little bit extra. the work you’ve put into this piece of art deserves the little bit of extra work.
Go for the knots! What Would Kaffe Do? I might bind off and whip stitch both ends so they match. Might.
Yes, yes and yes!
DRM
So, so fun. Unless you plan to add fringe, I would kitchener the ends (pick open the cast on), because it. is. magic.
Sewn ends?? My personal favorite is to stab a running stitch through all stitches on each end, pull them tight and add ginormous tassels or pompoms!
Kay – You could make dangly pom poms out of your left over yarn for the ends.
I know you are done with the scarf but for those others who might want to make it may I suggest doing a closed cast on such as a Turkish cast on or Judy Becker’s Magic Cast on. Finishing the scarf with Kitchener stitch will give your ends exactly the same look.
I steam blocked a fair isle scarf and it came out amazing. I’d skip the wet blocking
I’d check with the person you’re giving it to before adding fringe. Fringe doesn’t play well with zippers or hook & loop tape.
Kay, This turned out beautifully! I twas fun to watch you work on it in Sarasota! Wishing you and yours a light-filled season!
What about adding fringe to the ends? You could pull the strands through both sides at once so that it would act a bit like a three needles bind off, but with tassels. Win!
I’ve knitted 5 repeats of the 10 color scarf using flexi-flips. I love the look and like Kay I am knitting it for a friend (a quilter who loves Kaffe). I’m having some issues with getting the right tension when carrying the float from one needle to the next. I haven’t seen on Kay’s initial post or the comments whether folks recommend using DPNs, flexi-flips, magic loop or 9″ circulars. Any suggestions for addressing this isse would be appreciated. Thanks. Kay S.
Hi Kay! I love your name!
I don’t think this issue has anything to do with the flexi-flips. There is often a wonkiness to the switch from one needle to the next, using any needle arrangement. One thing that people do to address this is they occasionally re-arrange the stitches between the needles, so that the switch doesn’t always occur in the same place.
To me, that is too much trouble! I do my tubes on 2 circulars, but I like having the stitches stay on their designated needle. And I’ve found that really, when you get the tube off the needles and block it, you can no longer detect any wonkiness. The stitches really do adjust themselves.
Hope this helps! Kay
Will you have a booth at VKL in NYC? I would like to buy the yarn for the Coins Scarf but would like to see the colors in person. Will Rowan have this felted tweed in their booth?