Everyone Likes the Grid Plan

I've been meaning to post this pattern for a while- I had already named it after a scene in The Cruise- Speed Levich's monologue about blind acceptance of existing designs and procedures, and how it hinders creativity and individualism (I think of it every time the grid plan saves me from getting lost in a new neighborhood).

Mr. Fox and I are so thankful to have been spared from power outages and flooding on our tiny hill in Harlem during Hurricane Sandy, and I've been off school all week due to the lasting damage in the lower part of the city.  If, like me, you are seeking a little bit of comfort and predictability by staying in and knitting, here you go. 

So here's a pattern with a good balance of predictability and visual interest, in a grid formation, of course.  Wear it with very sexual slacks, but don't let it hinder your cruise!  Change the colors!  Knit it bulky, you innovator. 

If you do use this pattern, please consider making a donation to the American Red Cross.  This unprecedented storm has taken the Northeast by such surprise.  Lets hope we are able to learn from this disaster and rebuild with new innovations.

 Materials:
1 Skein KnitPicks Stroll Tonal- Lettuce (Color A)
1 Skein Malabrigo Sock- Eggplant (Color B)
(or Approximately 450 yds each of two colors fingering weight yarn)
US Size 4 Circular Needles
Gauge: 
6 sts/inch in stockinette, if you're into measuring for gauge on a scarf/shawl.
Finished Measurements: 15" wide, 49" long, blocked and stretched.

Garter Edge:
I created a 6-row garter edge alternating color every row as follows:
Cast-on 135 stitches in color A.
Row 1: (Color A) knit
Row 2: (Color B) knit
Row 3: Turn work around and purl back using color A
Row 4: (Color B) purl
Row 5: Turn work around and knit back using color B
Row 6: (Color B) knit
*Tip: Weigh your work here to determine how much you will need to save to create the other edge.

Starting with Color B, begin working in Gathered Stripes Pattern (Taken from The Ultimate Sourcebook of Knitting and Crochet Patterns, Reader's Digest, 2003).

Gathered Stripes:
Row 1:  (Color B) [k1, sl1] 5 times, *k12, sl1 [k1, sl1] 4 times; rep from * to last st, k1
Row 2:  (Color B) [p1, sl1] 5 times, *p12, sl1 [p1, sl1] 4 times; rep from * to last st, p1
Row 3:  (Color A) k2, sl1 [k1, sl1] 3 times, *k14, sl1 [k1, sl1] 3 times; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2
Row 4:  (Color A) p2, sl1 [p1, sl1] 3 times *p14, sl1 [p1, sl1] 3 times; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2

Continue working these four rows until your scarf reaches the desired length, or until you have just enough left for the Garter Edge.  Repeat the Garter Edge, and bind off.  Firm blocking will flatten the gathering.  If you would like to keep it gathered, you will likely want to double the yarn amount to make it a useful length- it roughly doubles after blocking. 

Block with T-pins at the middle of each stockinette row.

Be well!
The Foxes