The Nomad Hat and Scarf

So, you would think that being in Chicago and being a knitter, I would have all manner of hats and scarves.
WRONG! It occurred to me during this recent and early cold snap, I had neither hat nor scarf. I have made plenty of them and they have sold very well at our bi-annual sales, but like the cobbler whose kids have no shoes; I, a knitter, had no hat and scarf.

Until today.

I decided Thursday evening that I would make myself a hat, a scarf, and some mittens (I don't have those, either.) Friday morning I went in search of a pattern for each and had already decided on a pattern for a scarf when I pulled out a copy of Interweave Knits I received from a book distributor and inside was this photo of a hat AND scarf all knit into one.

I decided to make it. Fresh off the needles and onto the light fixture that's about the size of my head is my version of the Nomad Hat and Scarf designed by fellow blogger Kat Coyle. It is now very early Sunday morning and it is a warm accessory.

I used 2 1/2 skeins of Lion Brand Jiffy in wine with size 10.5, 11 & 13 straight needles and it knit really fast. I did make some changes to the pattern. I couldn't get the hang of the cast on so I cast on my way and closed the hole at the top. (It's knitted from the top down) and the gauge was a little different so I had the length the pattern calls for before all the rows were completed, but I like a nice, long scarf, so I did the number of rows (about 140) for each side to make super long ear flaps, lastly, my bind off was a little wonky so I picked up the stitches for the ear flap scarf along the bind off edge to hide that flaw. The result is this really awesome scarf that falls about a foot and half more than you see in the photo. It almost makes me wish for colder weather...almost.