A key pattern scarf
Object number: ROMGH.1999.337
Type: Knitting chart
Technique: Drawn
Material: Crayon, Paper
Width: 10cm | Height: 30.2cm
Production date: 1946 - 1968
George Bain designed this scarf pattern in August 1948 for Mr MacDonald-Taylor in Dorset. Bain shows different colours just to make the chart easy to read. Nevertheless, the shades he’s chosen would make a lovely combination for a scarf.
The notes are fascinating. The groups 1:8:1 and 2:16:2 relate to the formulae used to lay out the key patttern design. His book Celtic Art, Methods of Construction has a chapter showing how various types of key pattern are made. There, he uses formulae similar to these.
Bain’s notes on the chart mention that it has been designed around a repeating block of 20 by 20 spaces. He’s added a border of 4 spaces. The use of the word ‘spaces’ rather than stitches suggests that this might not be a knitting chart. Perhaps the scarf was to be woven?
Author: Barbara Pritchard
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