When I first saw photographs of a garment knitted using the Entrelac technique, I remember thinking, “wow, that is amazing.” My next thought was, “how do I do that” quickly followed by “I suppose, it is really really difficult to do.”
Entrelac was a technique that I’d wanted to try for a long time. And as I was to find out, it’s much easier than it looks while successfully achieving the “wow” factor when you are wearing the finished scarf.
The Entrelac Scarf Pattern
Entrelac is amazingly versatile and can be used for knitting anything you can imagine from felted bags to hats, gloves, cowls and sweaters as well as scarves. I’ve even seen a pattern which includes turning the heel using entrelac. Initially I was going to knit the Entrelac Gloves published in Yarn Forward magazine but decided it was a bit tricky for a first entrelac project. Then I came across the Entrelac Scarf pattern written by Allison LoCicero and published on her blog Freckles and Purls. It’s a wonderful pattern to follow with very clearly written instructions. If you need further help with knitting the scarf Very Pink Knits has an informative video on Youtube called Learn to Knit an Entrelac Scarf. In which she gives helpful advice about knitting this pattern.
One of the joys of Entrelac is that although the finished scarf looks complex, the skills required to knit the pattern are basic enough for an advanced beginner to tackle. The knitted fabric looks like interlacing diamonds but Entrelac is actually made up of triangles and rectangles, knit on the bias, using knits, purls, picked up stitches, increases, decreases and short rows.
Your non-knitting friends will never work out how the scarf has been knitted. Which is pretty cool!
Choosing Yarn
I substituted a different Noro yarn to the specified Silk Garden. I chose Silk Garden Lite a lovely mix of 45% silk, 45% kid mohair and 10% lamb’s wool instead. I needed 3 balls instead of the specified 4 balls, which with the cost of Noro yarns, made the scarf more affordable.
I love the colours and rustic texture of Noro knitting yarns. I chose Colour 2077 a lovely combination of pinks, magenta, purple, turquoise, teal, ochre, navy, grey and lilac. This colour scheme reminds me of one of my favourite summer flowers – sweetpea. I love how a small bunch can perfume a whole room.
I used 4.5mm needles as these are the larger specified needle size for Silk Garden Lite. I didn’t worry about the gauge overly, as it is a scarf and I didn’t mind if the finished scarf was a bit narrower.
What I Love
There are so many things I really love about this scarf.
I love how the colours merged into each other as the knitting progressed.
I love the ‘bloom’ of the yarn after its first handwash.
I love how the knitted fabric drapes when I wear the scarf.
I love how soft and warm the scarf is around my neck.
I just love how fabulous this scarf is and it has become one of my favourites that I wear very often.
Finishing
After I finished knitting the entrelac scarf I hand-washed it. Then patted it into shape and allowed the scarf to dry flat. This caused some flattening of the texture of the entrelac pattern, but I liked the smoothness more.
My finished scarf is 16cm wide by 188cm long (6 1/4″ wide by 74″ long). It is slightly narrower and about 33cm (13″) longer than stated in the pattern.
It’s a versatile length and there are many different ways of wearing the scarf.
In summary, if you want to try knitting a garment using entrelac, this entrelac scarf pattern is a wonderful place to start. The finished scarf is stylish. The colour and texture of the yarn is vibrant. The scarf is soft and warm to wear. And I always receive positive comments when I’m wearing it. What can I say, I always get a little glow of happiness when someone appreciates my knitting.
Interesting Entrelac Links
- Freckles and Purls
- Entrelac Scarf pattern designed by Allison LoCicero
- Learn to Knit an Entrelac Scarf by Very Pink Knits
- Craftsy Class – Entrelac Knitting – Gwen Bortner
- Entre to Entrelac – a book written by Gwen Bortner
- Entrelac – the book was written by Rosemary Drysdale
I would like to finish my scarf with a border. What would you suggest. really enjoyed the pattern
I’d use a 3 stitch I-cord edge. I used this on my Mitred Square Scarf and it was very effective.
I have much $$$ invested in yarn and cannot get beyond the base triangles. Would appreciate a diagram of where to pick up new rows.
Hi Barbara
I know that when you have finished knitting the base triangles they do look a bit weird. When I was learning how to knit the Entrelac Scarf I used the gorgeous pattern written by Allison LoCicero of Freckles and Purls. The Entrelac Scarf pattern I used was this one, which is a free download on Ravelry.
There is a very helpful step by step tutorial on how to knit this scarf created by very pink on youtube, Verypink Entrelac Scarf Tutorial, she has lessons for each stage of knitting the scarf. Staci at very pink does these tutorials wonderfully well.
I wear my entrelac scarf all the time, really love it. I hope this is of some help. Happy knitting, Nicolette
This is a beautiful scarf. As an introduction to Entrelac I knitted a washcloth, which was so fun and satisfying. Looks like a scarf will have to be in the plan soon.
Hi Janet, I hope you do knit the Entrelac scarf. It has become a firm favourite of mine. Love the fact that it looks more complicated than it actually is. I thoroughly enjoyed knitting this as my first piece of Entrelac. Nicolette