The Saharan Sands bandana is a pocket-size neckerchief perfect for rolling up in the smallest luggage when travelling. Super versatile and on-trend, this diminutive scarflette can be worn in a number of ways. It is decorated in a knit-friendly intarsia pattern to create a delightful abstract design, in ten colours inspired by my daughter Charlie’s trek across the Moroccan Saharan desert raising funds and awareness for the Coppafeel Breast Cancer charity.

Saharan Sands is an extremely quick project and surprisingly simple to knit – starting with the i-cord tie at one end before increasing at one side only until the desired number of stitches have been reached before decreasing at the same rate until the correct number of stitches remain to knit the second tie. The colourful pattern is worked predominantly using basic intarsia techniques with some additional surface embroidery added after the knitting is completed. Step-by-step tutorials for knitting and decorating the bandana can be viewed on my YouTube channel.

The Saharan Sands bandana is knitted using Susan Crawford Bluem Baby our brand-new, fingering weight, superwash wool, spun from 100% British Bluefaced Leicester fleece. This soft yet hard-wearing and machine washable yarn is perfect for a project such as the Saharan Sands bandana, wonderfully comfortably against the skin, but lightweight and easy to care for. The superwashed yarn takes colour beautifully creating bold, vibrant colours. The pattern includes full colour, row by row charts. Right side rows are read from right to left and stitches are knitted; wrong side rows are read from left to right and stitches are purled.

Saharand Sands is knitted using Susan Crawford Bluem Baby our brand-new, fingering weight, superwash wool, spun from 100% British Bluefaced Leicester fleece. This soft yet hard-wearing and machine washable yarn is perfect for a project such as the Saharan Sands bandana, wonderfully comfortably against the skin, but lightweight and easy to care for. The superwashed yarn takes colour beautifully creating bold, vibrant colours.

The pattern includes full colour, row by row charts. Right side rows are read from right to left and stitches are knitted; wrong side rows are read from left to right and stitches are purled.

The pattern contains clear written pattern directions and a comprehensive schematic diagram and sizing chart.

The Saharan Sands bandana pattern was originally sold under the name Coppafeel in support of my daughter Charlie’s walk across the Sahara, raising funds for Coppafeel who are a UK breast cancer awareness charity with a simple, life-saving mission: to help everyone get to know their bodies, check regularly and seek help if something feels different. They focus on early detection and education, empowering people of all ages to notice changes sooner and speak to healthcare professionals.

Yarn kits are available at Susan Crawford Vintage.

Yarn
Susan Crawford Bluem Baby, 100% Blue Faced Leicester (100m / 109yds per 25g skein approx)

1 mini skein (25g), shade Sandstorm
1 mini skein (25g), shade Red Sky in the Morning
1 mini skein (25g), shade Gilda
1 mini skein (25g), shade Fields of Gold
1 mini skein (25g), shade Saharan Sand
1 mini skein (25g), shade Oasis
1 mini skein (25g), shade Earth
1 mini skein (25g), shade Chambray
1 mini skein (25g), shade Night Sky
1 mini skein (25g), shade Buttermilk

Gauge

27 sts & 36 rows = 10cm (4in) measured over stocking stitch worked flat, after blocking.

We obtained this gauge using 3.25mm needles. If necessary, use an alternative needle size to obtain the correct gauge.

Suggested needles

1 pair of 3.25mm (US 3) circular needle, 80cm in length or pair of 3.25mm (US 3) straight needles

Notions

Stitch markers
Tapestry needle

Techniques

Basic increases and decreases
Darning in ends
Blocking
Knitting icord
Intarsia