Mt. Bear Scarf and Mittens

For some reason, I really wanted a furry scarf. I think the seed for the idea had been planted in my head after watching Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, although it was a furry jacket that the female character wore—and I had seen the movie some time before actually deciding I needed a furry scarf. When I went to the yarn store to make my furry scarf, I knew I didn't want fun fur, and if you don't know why, read my website more. But the Big Wool Tuft yarn from Rowan, now that was something! Furry and cheesy in all the right ways, and none of the wrong ways of fun fur faux pas. The mittens came later, as a custom order request from someone who had bought my scarfs twin.

Materials:

• 2 skeins Big Wool Tuft (Rowan) in Rugged (brown)
• 1 skein Cotton Stria (Manos del Uruguay) in Orange
• 1 skein Encore (Plymouth) in Brown
• Sz 10.5 dpns
• Sz 10.5 standard needles
• Tapestry needle

Pattern Notes:
Both projects are beginner-friendly. The materials listed above make both the scarf and the mittens. You need at least 1.5 skeins of Big Wool Tuft for the scarf, and less than 0.5 skein for the mittens (if making both, make the mittens first and then use the remainder of the yarn for the scarf). You need the Cotton Sitra for both, also, though you should not be close to running out of the one skein when finished. You only need the Encore for the mittens.

Mitten Gauge:
Using two strands of Encore yarn and 10.5 knitting needles. # stitches and # rows = #" x #". (Gauge for the scarf doesn't matter).

Directions for Scarf:

• Using both the Big Wool Tuft and Cotton Sitra yarns as one yarn (double-stranded knitting), cast on 15 stitches.
• Knit 1 row
• Begin Drop Stitch:
  1. Insert needle through front loop as if to knit. Wrapping both yarns around the needle four times, pull through loop. Continue to end of row.
  2. Knit all stitches, dropping extra loops.
• Repeat steps 1 and 2 of Drop Stitch pattern until scarf measures #" (or until desired length).
• Knit last row, and bind off.

Directions for Mittens:

• Using dpns, CO 20 in Big Wool Tuft and Cotton Sitra, double-stranded.
• Row 1: k2, p2 in the round.
• Continue in rib pattern for 2".
• Change to Encore, using two strands of yarn at once. Knit to end. 20 stchs.
• Knit next 2 rows.
• Begin thumb gusset: k10, place maker, k1, m1, k1, k1, m1, place marker, k remainder (5 thumb stitches between markers).
• Knit next 2 rows.
• k10, k1, m1, k3, k1, m1, k remainder (7 thumb stitches).
• Knit next 2 rows.
• k10, k1, m1, k5, k1, m1, k remainder (9 thumb stitches).
• Knit next 2 rows.
• k10, remove markers and 9 thumb stitches (threading the thumb gusset stitches onto scrap yarn), CO2, k remainder (19 stitches).
• k 16 more rows—about 4.5".
• Begin Dec: k2tog all stitches.
• Next Row: knit.
• Next Row: k2tog.
• Weave remaining stitches together and knot tail thread inside the mitten.

• Thumb:
• Divide 9 thumb stitches onto dpns. Pick up two stiches from the mitten.
• Knit 3 rows (halfway up your thumb).
• Next row: decrease 2 (7 sts).
• Knit 3 more rows.
• K2tog around (4 sts). Weave remaining stitches together.
• Secure and weave in all loose yarn.

Work other mitten as above, reversing thumb gusset.