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{ Vol. 4, Summer 2009 }

nixie's net

Nixie's Net by Katherine Vaughan

This mesh scarf could have been used by a particularly glamorous water maiden (a German Nixe or Nixie) to snare passing fishermen and women.

The basic stitch is based on Barbara Walker’s Mermaid Mesh, but with tendrils at the short sides that gently wave like seaweed. The light bamboo yarn lends a light crunchy softness perfect for warding off the cool breath of the night – or overactive air conditioning.

Size

Approximately 55” long (with fringe) by 7” wide

Yarn

Madil Eden Print (100% bamboo; 109 yards [100 meters]/50 grams): Color 030, 3 balls

Needles

US#6 (4 mm): 24-32” circular

Gauge

14 sts and 28 rows = 4” in pattern stitch after wet blocking.
19 sts and 26 rows = 4” in stockinette stitch after wet blocking.

Notions

2 Markers; waste yarn for lifelines (optional); tapestry needle

directions

chart

additional pics

Pattern Notes

This pattern is worked lengthways; you will have more than 160 stitches on the needles at any given time. Circular needles are strongly recommended to accommodate this large number of stitches.

Tendrils are cast on at the beginning of their rows using the cable cast on method and then immediately bound off in knit.

Abbreviations

yo2: yarn over twice
sk2psso: slip 1 stitch as if to knit, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over

Pattern

Lower edge

CO 168 sts loosely, using the cast on of your choice.
Row 1(RS): CO 15 sts, BO 15 sts, p168.
Row 2: CO 10 sts, BO 10 sts, k168.

Body

Row 1 (RS): P2, yo, *(ssk, yo) three times, k3tog, yo2, rep from * until 4 sts rem, ssk, p2
Row 2: K2, p lace stitches, working (k1, p1) into yo2 of prev row, until 2 sts rem, k2.
Row 3: CO 10sts, BO 10 sts, p1, p2tog, *yo2 (ssk, yo) twice, k3tog, yo, k2tog, rep from * until 3 sts rem, k1, p2.
Row 4: CO 15 sts, BO 15 sts, k2, p lace stitches, working (k1, p1) into yo2 of prev row, until 2 sts rem, k2.
Row 5: P1, p2tog, *yo2, ssk, yo, k3tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, rep from * until 2 sts rem, yo, p2.
Row 6: As row 2.
Row 7: CO 15 sts, BO 15 sts, p1, p2tog, yo, *k2tog, yo2, sl-k2tog-psso, (yo, k2tog) twice, yo, rep from * until 3 sts rem, k1, p2.
Row 8: CO 10 sts, BO 10 sts, k2, p lace stitches, working (k1, p1) into yo2 of prev row, until 2 sts rem, k2.
Row 9: P2, k2tog, yo, *k2tog, yo2, sl-k2tog-psso, (yo, k2tog) twice, yo, rep from * until 2 sts rem, p2.
Row 10: As row 2.
Row 11: CO 10 sts, BO 10 sts, p1, p2tog, yo, *k2tog, yo2, ssk, yo, sl-k2tog-psso, yo, k2tog, yo, rep from * until 3 sts rem, k1, p2
Row 12: As row 4.
Row 13: P2, k2tog, *yo2, (ssk, yo) twice, sl-k2tog-psso, yo, k2tog, rep from * until 2 sts rem, yo, p2.
Row 14: As row 2.
Row 15: CO 15 sts, BO 15 sts, p1, p2tog, *yo2, (ssk, yo) three times, k3tog, rep from * until 3 sts rem, yo2, p2tog, p1.
Row 16: As row 8.

Work these 16 rows 3 times total.
Work rows 1-5 once more.

Top edge

Row 1(WS): K2, k lace stitches, working (k1, p1) into yo2 of prev row, until 2 sts rem, k2. [NOTE: This row is different from the previous “resting” rows!]
Row 2: CO 15 sts, BO 15 sts, p168.
Row 3: CO 10 sts, BO rem sts in knit loosely.

Finishing

Weave in ends and trim.
Block vigorously to stretch out mesh pattern.

About the Designer: Katherine Vaughan

Katherine Vaughan has been knitting for 20+ years, designing for 5+, and dreaming of learning other fiber skills for 10. She primarily designs childrenswear and accessories, many using non-wool materials. She daylights as a medical librarian in North Carolina, where it is (almost) never too hot to knit. {visit her blog}