The Babysitter Scarf 2.0

The Babysitter Scarf 2.0 has arrived! I worked this one up on my Addi Express King Size circular knitting machine. The original Tunisian crochet version is still available if you prefer that method. Or if you fancy doing one of each! You can check out that pattern for additional information. You might also notice that I’ve updated my yarn recommendations for this version and that’s due mostly to availability of brands and colors in my area. They are as close to the colors in the Tunisian crochet version as possible. You could use any combination of any of the yarns listed in either version to achieve this look.

The recipe for this one is pretty straightforward. It assumes that you have a basic familiarity with circular knitting machines. If you’re new to these types of tools, there are a ton of video tutorials out there that can get you started. I have only tried this on the Addi Express King, but I would assume that it would work well on any other size machine that you want to try it on. The only special stitch that you need to be aware of is when changing colors. I did a slip stitch style color change to minimize the jog in color that you get when working in the round. I also secured my first and last rows using a single crochet closure to get a crisp, flat edge, but you can use another if you don’t crochet or have a different style that you prefer. I also keep my working yarn under light tension as I’m working. Each color block should measure 4” in length, so you may need to adjust your tension a little bit if you’re getting wildly different results.

Color change instructions:
End one color and start the next as you would normally do at the beginning of the row. Knit one row as usual and stop when you get back to the first black needle. Bring the working yarn around the back of the first black needle and pull the stitch that’s on the pegs below up with a loom hook or small crochet hook so that the first black needle grabs it and has a stitch to knit (or you will drop a stitch). Crank handle slowly and knit that stitch. Let the second black needle grab the working yarn and continue knitting as usual. Tie your color change ends together and trim them up a little as you go and then you don’t have to worry about them later as they’ll be inside the scarf. Remember to leave a super long tail of color A at the beginning and the end as you’ll be using that to close up the scarf.

Finished dimensions:
Width: about 7”
Length: about 7’
Materials:
-Addi Express King Size
-5 mm crochet hook
-Roughly, a total of 550 yards of worsted weight yarn divided like so: (amounts are rounded up)
Color A: Big Twist Value Worsted Magenta 100 yards
Color B: Red Heart Super Saver Medium Purple 100 yards
Color C: Big Twist Value Worsted Varsity Yellow 100 yards
Color D: Red Heart Super Saver Jade 100 yards
Color E: Caron One Pound Royalty 90 yards
Color F: Big Twist Value Worsted Varsity Orange 60 yards
-About 20 yards of waste yarn for casting on and off
-Scissors
-Yarn needle
-Loom hook or small crochet hook

Recipe:
Starting with waste yarn, cast on 8 rows.
Switch to color A, leave long tail, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color B, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color C, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color D, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color E, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color B, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color A, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color F, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color C, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color D, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color E, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color D, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color C, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color F, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color A, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color B, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color E, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color D, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color C, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color B, knit 20 rows.
Switch to color A, knit 20 rows. Leave long tail.
Switch to waste yarn, cast off 8 rows.
Remove your piece from the machine and decide which end to close first. Position the scarf so that the tube lies flat and the active stitch loops are touching. Use your crochet hook to stitch one loop from each side together using single crochet. Single crochet all the way across before removing your waste yarn. Repeat on the other end of the scarf. Use your yarn needle to weave the remaining ends back into the scarf.

I didn’t need to steam block mine when it was done, but if you find it’s curling or stiff or anything like that, steam blocking can occasionally help it to behave.

That’s it! Happy adventuring!