Stockinette stitch Even a beginner needlewoman can knit a baktus with knitting needlesThe Norwegian scarf, as this fashion accessory is also called, is very popular in the modern world.
Historians have established that the first baktus were part of the national clothing of northern peoples, and the material from which scarves were made and how and with what they were decorated indicated the status of a person. The universal shape of the neck accessory allows you to wear it not only in the usual place, but also experiment, putting it on as a belt or forming an unusual headdress.
Necessary tools and materials
Baktus was knitted with knitting needles using the front surface by ancient craftswomen for their children and husbands. If an accessory was needed for the cold season, it was made of warm wool, and if it was decorative, then thin light threads were used.
In northern countries, a baktus is a triangular-shaped neck scarf with long ties and a blunt end. It can be either single-color or multi-colored. In addition, classic neck accessories were decorated with geometric or floral patterns.
The Norwegian scarf has several advantages:
- Easy to knit.
- Any yarn will do.
- Will keep you warm in the cold season.
- Can be used as a headdress or a belt.
- Suitable for any style of clothing.
The first baktuses entered European fashion in 2013. Fashionistas liked the scarves not only for their appearance, but also because they are easy to make yourself. Any yarn you like will do for the baktus.
The neck accessory will reliably warm you up in the cold season and you can wear it not only in the usual way. If necessary, the scarf can easily be turned into a headdress or belt. Its dimensions allow you to cover your head and keep your neck warm. It is known that the standard length of a scarf is 1.5 - 2 m, and some exclusive products can reach 5-6 m.
The Norwegian scarf goes with everything. It looks great with a cardigan or a winter jacket and perfectly complements an evening outfit or a light summer sundress. The baktus also goes with tracksuits and formal "suits".
It is known that in ancient times, baktus were knitted with both needles and hooks, and knitting needles. After one monk invented a knitting machine, northern neck scarves began to be created on it.
To knit a warm Norwegian shawl, yarn from the following is suitable:
- alpacas;
- Angoras;
- ram;
- goats;
- yaka.
The first has a number of advantages, and it is made from the wool of mountain llamas that live in Tibet, Peru and South America. Alpacas have warm pile that retains heat well and, at the same time, allows the body to breathe, letting moisture out. Such yarn is hypoallergenic and has a dirt-repellent effect.
Angora is made from the down of Chinese rabbits of the same breed. The material is soft, airy and has a fluffy pile. It is warm, gentle and pleasant to the body. The disadvantage of angora is that over time it loses its fluffy pile and turns into ordinary warm yarn.
The wool of merino sheep is used to make soft yarn that keeps you warm in winter and does not let your body sweat. A product made from such yarn is comfortable, warm and light. At the same time, the material does not prickle or irritate the skin.
Some breeds of goats have soft and warm fur, from which beautiful, warm products with a slight shine are obtained. Experts include mohair yarn, obtained from the down of Turkish goats, found only in the province of Angora, among such types.
Yarn made from yak wool is light, breathable and dries quickly. Products made from it absorb moisture well and are easy to clean from dirt, and the softness of the thread is difficult to distinguish from cashmere.
To choose the right yarn for a Norwegian scarf, experts recommend:
- Hold the skein in your hands.
- Apply yarn to face.
- Read the ingredients on the label.
- Smell the skein.
- Rub the end of the thread between your fingers.
Having chosen the yarn you like, experienced needlewomen advise holding it in your hands for a while. This is necessary for the first tactile sensation that arises from the contact of the material and the skin.
After the yarn has been in your hands, you need to apply it to an open area of your face. This is necessary to check how sensitive areas of the body will react to the material. If the yarn is pleasant, soft, gentle and does not prick the body, then it is suitable for baktus.
Before buying, you need to read the composition of the threads on the label. This is necessary in order to find out how natural the material is and to determine how much of it is needed for 1 product.
Some craftsmen recommend smelling a skein of the yarn you like. Quality yarn should not have an unpleasant smell. If there is a barely perceptible alarming "odor", then it is better not to take the yarn.
To understand how well and uniformly the thread is twisted, you need to rub it slightly, holding the free end between your thumb and forefinger. In addition, the test will show how quickly a thing made of this yarn will lose its appearance and how much it accumulates electrostatic voltage.
To knit a fashionable baktus, you will need separate knitting needles. The thickness of the tool is usually indicated on the package of the skein. You can also check whether the knitting needles are suitable for the purchased threads by making a hole in the paper with the tip of the tool and pulling the yarn through it. If the thread passes freely through the hole and does not sag, the tool is ideally selected.
Those who want to further decorate their Norwegian scarf with elegant details will need a crochet hook and a sewing needle. Some needlewomen like to decorate their products with tassels, pompoms and even appliques.
You may also find it useful to have multi-colored plastic knitting markers, pins, and scissors. You should also have centimeters on hand to clarify the necessary data if necessary.
Schemes with description of works for beginners
Baktus can be knitted with knitting needles using the front surface stitch, using various patterns.
There are 3 main types of Norwegian scarf:
- Classical.
- Asymmetric.
- With decoration.
A classic is a voluminous scarf, the length of which does not exceed 2 m. By creating folds in the neck and chest area, it adds volume to the upper body. The accessory emphasizes the advantages and hides the disadvantages. The angle of the classic Norwegian scarf is more than 90 degrees, and the other 2 ends are very elongated.
An asymmetrical baktus is a scarf whose central corner is shifted to one of its ends. With the help of this wardrobe element, you can create an unusual and stylish image.
The Norwegian scarf is decorated with yarn tassels or pom-poms. Sometimes craftswomen put fringe or lace along its outer edge. The baktus is also made using various ornaments and patterns.
The following models of baktus are popular among modern fashionistas:
- "Openwork";
- "Breakwater";
- "Small";
- "Norwegian";
- "With leaves."
Each of the models will allow the needlewoman to feel unique and inimitable. Knitters love baktus because they can realize all their fantasies on it.
The knitting patterns for all Norwegian shawls use several types of loops.
| Name | Designation |
| facial | "lp" or "X" |
| purl | "ip" or "O" |
| edge | kr. |
| yarn over | nak. or "+" |
Also in the work they use knitting loops together or moving one of them "behind" or "in front" of the fabric. Detailed nuances are usually indicated in the description of the pattern.
For Beginners
Baktus with knitting needles in stocking stitch will allow a beginner needlewoman to practice before working on more complex patterns of scarves and other products. In addition, a simple Norwegian accessory created independently will become a source of pride for its owner.
To work you will need a skein of thread and knitting needles.
To knit a Norwegian scarf, you need:
- Cast on 4 stitches on the needles.
- Knit rows 1, 2 and 3 in garter stitch, i.e. all loops will be either front or back. The edge loop is always removed at the beginning of the work, and the last one is knitted as a front loop.
- Start adding stitches in row 4, to do this, make a yarn over after the edge stitch.
- In row 5, knit all the stitches with garter stitch, and the yarn over stitch from the previous row through the back loop.
- Make an increase after the edge stitch in every 4th row.
- Knit new loops through the back wall so that there is no hole.
- Knit in this way until the width of the fabric becomes 30 cm.
- Start decreasing stitches and do this by joining 2 together knitwise/purlwise after edge stitch at the beginning of every 4th row.
- The work is finished when there are 4 loops left on the knitting needle.
The loops are closed and the product is tried on. After this, the baktus is washed, dried and prepared for wearing.
Openwork
A Norwegian shawl knitted in an openwork technique will turn out airy, warm and light. For work, the needlewoman will need 0.4 kg of melange yarn, colored markers and knitting needles of a suitable diameter.
To knit an openwork baktus, you need:
- Cast on 7 stitches.
- The bottom row after casting on is knitted with purl stitches, removing the edge stitch at the beginning and knitting with purl stitches at the end.
- Work with the edges continues throughout the entire knitting process.
- Knit the main fabric in garter stitch, adding 3 loops in every 12th row.
- Knit row 1 in garter stitch, joining 2 times through the loop, 2 together with the front one.
- Knit in row 2 in the middle of the yarn over pattern a front and back loop. Before 2 loops at the end make a front crossed.
- Form row 6 in the same way as row 2, but create 4 loops from the 2 yarn overs from the previous rows and make a crossed loop before the last 3 loops.
- In row 10, knit 6 loops from 3 yarn overs of the previous rows in the same way as in row 2, and before the last 4, make a crossed one.
- Knit ½ of the fabric in this way, then proceed to decreasing the loops.
- Reduce the number of loops with the same step as you added.
When there are 7 loops left on the knitting needle, the work is buried.
Breakwater
The Norwegian scarf model "Breakwater" allows you to create volume in the upper part of the body. For work you will need a skein of woolen threads 0.1 kg, separate knitting needles of the appropriate size and a pin.
To knit a fashionable scarf, you need:
- Cast on 3 stitches on the needles.
- Knit rows 1 through 5 in stockinette stitch.
- Make a yarn over in every 6th row after the edge, increasing the size of the fabric.
- Knit from row 6 to row 12 in purl stitch.
- Repeat the pattern of the first five rows from rows 13 to 18, that is, the front surface with the front stitches.
- Knit rows 19 through 25 purlwise in the same way as rows 6 through 12.
- Add stitches to the needles until you have 37 stitches in your work.
- Add 1 loop at the end of every 2nd row, and decrease the same amount at the beginning of each.
- Knit 21 rows in this manner.
- Decrease 1 stitch in each row.
- Decrease the number of stitches in every 6th row by 4 at the beginning.
When there are 3 loops left on the needles, the work is closed. The shape of the scarf in this case will resemble a crescent.
Norwegian
You can knit a baktus with a garter stitch using multi-colored yarn, where the shade shifts across the thread in waves. Such an accessory will visually correct your figure.
To do this, the needlewoman will need 0.3 kg of yarn and circular knitting needles of the required diameter.
To knit a Norwegian scarf, you need:
- Cast on 3 stitches onto the knitting needles.
- Knit the first row after casting on as purl stitches.
- Knit row 1.
- Place a colored marker in the middle of the piece near the center loop.
- Knit 2, 4, 6 and the remaining even rows as purl.
- Add 1 loop after the 1st edge loop and before the last one in every odd row.
- Start from row 19, knit 2 loops near the central one with a left tilt, then a yarn over, a knit, a yarn over, 2 loops together with a right tilt and all knits to the yarn over before the edge.
- Knit yarn overs in loops according to the pattern.
- Repeat row 19 until the fabric reaches a length of 70 cm.
At the end of the work, the loops are closed, the product is tried on and prepared for wearing.
With leaves
You can decorate a Norwegian fashion scarf with knitted leaves along the edge.
To knit you will need several skeins of different colors, 0.1 kg each, and circular knitting needles on a long line.
To knit a neck accessory with leaves, you need:
- Cast on 3 stitches on the needles.
- Knit the main fabric with the front surface.
- Knit row 1, working over the edge stitches and creating 1-2 loops.
- Form row 2 by knitting 2 purl together, create 1 - 2 loops.
- Alternate pattern 1 and 2 rows 5 more times.
- Start working on the leaf decor.
- Knit row 1, alternating knitting from 1 loop 2, knit and from 1 – 2.
- Form row 2 and all other even stripes, alternating 1 purl and 4 knit.
- Knit row 3, knitting all the stitches of the row as front loops, and before the edge stitch, make 1-2.
- Form rows 5 and 7 by repeating the pattern of row 3.
- Knit row 8, alternating 1 purl, 1 front, knit from 2 - 1 front and 4 front.
- Form rows 9, 11 and 13 with knit stitches.
- Knit rows 10, 12 and 14, alternating 1 purl, 1 knit, 2 together knit, 3 knit.
- Remove this thread.
- Knit the rest of the scarf and its decoration according to the pattern given above.
The finished product should be 33 cm high and 154 cm long.
Secrets for Beginners
Baktus knitted with stocking stitch is a popular and simple model for beginner needlewomen. The Norwegian scarf attracts attention because it can be created even by those who have just become familiar with knit and purl stitches.
There are several secrets to knitting this fashionable accessory.
Experienced craftsmen recommend:
- Select the correct knitting needles according to the diameter of the thread.
- Do not overtighten the stitches in knitting.
- Do not mix thin and thick yarn in one piece.
- When using circular knitting needles, ensure that the transition from metal to line does not have rough transitions.
- Yarn overs are always knitted as knit stitches.
- Not afraid to experiment.
The shape of the baktus and whether its loops will fit tightly to each other or the cold will start to penetrate through them depend on the correct selection of the diameter of the knitting needles and thread. The classic Norwegian winter scarf is usually knitted with a tight knit, but without overtightening the loops so that the product is elastic and can be given any shape.
Experts also do not recommend that beginner knitters combine patterns with thick and thin threads in one piece. This will result in the scarf becoming a simple, shapeless rag, which will also quickly tear.
The line between the spokes and the line connecting them should not be noticeable. Otherwise, the thread will catch on this “threshold” during work, which will lead to its breaking, stretching or other deformations.
Masters recommend always knitting yarn overs in the next row with face loops. They do this in order to avoid unnecessary holes in the fabric.
Baktus is a scarf for experiments. Here you can connect your imagination and embody any bold ideas in patterns and knitting styles on the canvas. Decorate the Norwegian scarf with whatever you want.
Baktus, knitted with a garter stitch with knitting needles, is a good gift for loved ones for the New Year holidays. The accessory will suit not only adults, but also children of different ages. It also looks equally good on both women and men, and this is one of those things that has no age limit for wearing.
Video about knitting baktus with knitting needles
Master class on knitting a beautiful baktus with knitting needles: