TAHLEQUAH —
Mention the word “scarf,” and the mind immediately turns to snow and chilly temperatures.
But a new trend taking hold provides a lightweight, frillier alternative that can be worn in spring or summer.
Members of area Home and Community Education Clubs met Monday at the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service to learn how to crochet Sashay Ruffle Scarves using sashay yarn.
“I saw my niece making them at Christmastime,” said Park Hill OHCE Club member Bonnie Smith, who led the class. “And I knew other people had been selling them at the courthouse, so I thought I’d learn to make one myself.”
According to Smith, the scarves can be crocheted or knitted, but many people prefer the crochet method.
“Considering the yarn you use is so fine, I like crocheting them best,” said Smith.
Heather Winn, Family and Consumer Science Educator for the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, took part in the workshop. She said making the scarves, rather than buying them, is a cost-saving move.
“I’ve seen them available on [the Internet] for $28,” said Winn. “When you think about it, it’s less expensive to make them yourself, because a skein of sashay yarn is $4.67, and you can make four scarves from a single skein, depending on the length.”
According to Smith, 7-1/2 yards of sashay yarn yields an average-length scarf.
“This is long enough to double and wear, and it doesn’t get in the way,” said Smith. “I don’t really like them any longer.”
The scarves come together fairly quickly, too. After working for 45 minutes, several participants had already completed one scarf.
According to tipjunkie .com, ruffle scarves are easy to create using chain and single crochet stitches. The yarn is specialized, which makes a good deal of the work less about the look of the stitches and more about forming ruffles.
Sashay yarn looks like a ribbon on the skein, but is actually constructed similar to webbing. Before beginning, workshop participants took a good length of yard off the skein and spread it out. Once the yarn is spread, place the part of the yarn with the metallic thread at the bottom and identify the first row of holes - or loops – at the top, which is where the stitching begins.
Insert the crochet hook in one of the holes at the top about 4 inches from the end of the piece of yarn, creating a slip knot. Skip the next hole and insert the hook in the hole after that, then pull this loop through the initial loop on the hook, completing one chain stitch.
Skip the next hole, and insert the hook in the hole after that, pulling that look through the loop on the hook. Repeat this process until the piece measures about 80 inches.
“[Extension Service Assistant] Jody [Vick] skipped more holes, which created more ruffles,” said Winn. “I stick to the easier method, though.”
Smith had seen a video demonstration for making the scarves, which included pulling 10 loops through, rather than one.
“But this yarn is so fine, I haven’t tried it yet,” said Smith.
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