Forza Scarf: A free pattern from Knockout Knits

It's time for a little story and then a present for you all to celebrate the release of Knockout Knits this September!

Knockout Knits is my first traditionally published book... and it took me a year to design and write it!  When I handed in my manuscript it turns out I was 6,000 words OVER contract.  WHOOPS!  I guess I had a lot to say about knitting.  Luckily my editor Caitlin had an excellent attitude about it and she and I worked to slim down where necessary without loosing any significant content.  Knockout Knits is a book to learn by and we weren't going to compromise that in the editing of it!

There was only one casualty during the editing to make page count and we decided Forza Scarf should be a free pattern to introduce you to the book!  A great solution, right?

Worked in two halves and grafted in the center this single sided lace scarf will teach you the intricacies of working shaped lace, integrated i-cord edging and reading a chart… it’s your gateway drug to unexpected but simple lace techniques!  Forza is worked in two halves as the Forza stitch must be worked from the bottom up to achieve mirrored shaping at the bottom edge.

I know I’ve told you that designing the simple things is hard for me, but it’s never been more true than with this design. I forced myself to only use three lace stitches; the yarnover, a left leaning decrease (ssk) and a right leaning decrease (k2tog).  As I was swatching I kept trying to throw in a little something different but kept to my rules!  The result is a scarf that will teach you that you CAN knit lace, and that it’s FUN and EASY!  Hope you agree : )!

Forza is knit with 135 yards of sport weight yarn. I originally knit it in Classic Elite Fresco (the purple version above).

Then at TNNA Sabrina from Anzula gave me a STUNNING skein of their new silk/linen sport-weight Vera and I knew I needed to knit a summer version as well.  The silk/linen combo adds a phenomenal stitch definition.  I wore it in Texas last weekend and is the perfect summer yarn! 

Download your free copy of Forza on Ravelry OR on Scribd.

I also have Catch-Up KAL going in my Ravelry group with awesome yarny prizes (Wollmeise, anyone?)... I've decided to add Forza to the list of projects as I know many of you will be able to whip it out, making it a great additional entry to the KAL!