Louet Plein Air Scarf Knitting Pattern

Louet Plein Air Scarf & Wrap

What Is Being Made

The Louet Plein Air is a versatile knitting pattern that offers three distinct finished garments: a scarf, a stole, and a wrap. Designers and knitters can choose their preferred finished size and yarn weight to customize their project. The scarf measures 13 inches wide by 68 inches long, the stole measures 26 inches wide by 80 inches long, and the wrap dimensions are customizable based on yarn choice. All three versions are designed to be worked flat using seamless knitting techniques, making them elegant layering pieces suitable for various occasions.

Techniques Used

The Plein Air pattern employs lace knitting as its primary decorative technique, creating an open, airy fabric with visual interest. The garments are worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which simplifies construction for many knitters. The pattern utilizes seamless construction methods, eliminating the need for seaming after completion. A provisional cast on using waste yarn is required to set up the pattern, allowing for a finished edge that matches the body of the garment. Blocking is an essential finishing step to set the lace pattern and achieve the final dimensions.

Stitches Used

The foundation of the Plein Air pattern is built on stockinette stitch, which provides a smooth, classic base for the lace elements. The lace pattern incorporates yarn overs and decreases to create openwork sections that give the garment its characteristic delicate appearance. Stitch markers are used throughout the pattern to help track pattern repeats and maintain consistency across rows.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Louet Plein Air pattern is designed to be made with Louet North America Gems yarn in 100% Merino Wool, available in two weights to suit different preferences:

• Gems Fingering Weight: 185 yards per 100 gram skein. The scarf version requires 3 skeins, shown in color #210 Cloud Grey. Needles for the fingering weight version are US 5 (3.75 mm) and US 6 (4.00 mm).
• Gems Worsted Weight: 175 yards per 100 gram skein. The wrap version requires 5 skeins, shown in color #15 Marine Blue. Needles for the worsted weight version are US 7 (4.50 mm) and US 8 (5.00 mm).

Gauge Information

For the scarf made with fingering weight merino yarn, the gauge is 24 stitches and 28 rows over a 4-inch square in stockinette stitch, blocked, using US 5 (3.75 mm) needles. For the wrap made with worsted weight merino yarn, the gauge is 16 stitches and 22 rows over a 4-inch square in stockinette stitch, blocked, using US 7 (4.50 mm) needles. While correct gauge is not critical for this project, variations in gauge will affect the final measurements and yardage requirements.

Additional Notions

Beyond yarn and needles, the Plein Air pattern requires waste yarn for the provisional cast on, stitch markers to track pattern sections, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and blocking pins to shape and set the finished lace pattern.