A customer came into the shop the other day with a pattern for an afghan knit with three strands of bulky yarn. She chose Blue Sky Alpaca Bulky yarn, which already knits at 2 to 2.5 stitches per inch with a single strand. I was so curious what Bulky would look like tripled that I wound a ball, got a pair of size 19 needles, and knit up a swatch in stockinette.
The result was fantastic. At 1.25 stitches per inch, the stitches are huge, yet the fabric still drapes nicely. Everyone who saw it picked it up and loved it. I toyed with the idea of making an afghan or even a pillow, but I wanted something that could be worn. And so, the Pebble Neck Warmer was born.
When winter finally comes, the Pebble Neck Warmer will keep you warm! I used the color Frost, which I think is a great color for winter, but Bulky is available in a wide range of natural and dyed colors.
I didn’t time myself, but I think I knit the Pebble Neck Warmer in under 2 hours, making it a perfect last minute knitted gift. Here’s how you can make yours:
PEBBLE NECK WARMER
SIZE
approx 5.5 by 33 inches
MATERIALS
3 hanks of Blue Sky Bulky yarn, shown in frost
12″ US 19 needle
1 large button
GAUGE
.75 sts = 1 inch in stitch pattern, but gauge is not critical for this project
PATTERN
Wind all three hanks of Bulky and holding a strand from each, CO 7 stitches.
Row 1 – *P1, k1; repeat from * to end.
Repeat Row 1 until approximately 1.5 yards of yarn remains.
Bind off loosely in pattern and weave in ends.
Attach button to center purl stitch approximately 4 inches from cast on edge. There is no button hole; you can push the button through the fabric. (Make sure the button will fit snugly through the fabric before you attach it!)
Enjoy!
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
This is beautiful and what a quick project! Don’t forget to mention in the pattern instructions that the yarn is tripled!
Thank you! Just updated the pattern.
Just lovely, Craig! Rarely have I seen a super-bulky knit look so elegant.
Thank you for the offer. It looks beautiful!
I’m one of these knitters that has few projects on the go,as I get board with repetitive patterns.
Love the Bulky Alpaca- definitely on my list. Tanya
I love this! Absolutely wonderful texture. Thanks for the quick gift idea.
This pattern is great. You can combine three different color of the same yarn for special ocassion and is very confort for the neck. Thank you for this pattern.
Thank you all for the compliments! I’m so glad you like it.
This is beautiful! Where did you find the wonderful toggle button?
I really want to snuggle up in bed with this. I wonder what it would look like blanket-sized. I won’t even tempt myself. I will definitely be making the neck warmer, though for all those Pollyana gift exchanges.
Susanne, I think it would be the ultimate snuggling blanket! However, the neck warmers for pollyanas will be much appreciated.
Do you think this would make a nice “moebius” type shawl?
this looks delicious! I can’t wait to make one for myself!
This is a lovely project… Ideal for Christmas presents. Thanks for the pattern.