Impulse yarn purchases – knitters always make them!  I’m not much of a sock knitter, but I can’t help resisting a skein of sock yarn every now and then.  Especially when it is jewel-toned and gorgeous like this one.

Tosh Sock Forestry

I felt like it would be perfect for a scarf and thought I’d do a quick pattern rummage into the treasure trove that is Ravelry!  Hitchhiker was the pattern that showed up number 1 on my list.  But I wanted to keep looking for “that perfect pattern”.  Yup, my search ended up in a two-day vortex of indecision.  I finally gave up in frustration and cast on for none other than the original contender, Hitchhiker.  Funny how that happens every time!

The Hitchhiker Scarf pattern is based on the hilarious and enjoyable book, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.   If you’ve read the book, you will remember that the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything is 42!

Hitchhiker 3

Likewise, the Hitchhiker scarf has 42 “teeth” for the patterned edging.

I knew that I would have to either shorten the scarf or do some sort of modification to the pattern to make it work because my skein of Tosh Sock didn’t have the yardage required.  I decided to add stripes halfway through my knitting.  Some leftover Dream in Color Smooshy from this project looked like it would work for the stripes.

Hitchhiker 2

When I was about three-quarters of the way through, I had serious doubts about having enough yarn to make it to the magic number of 42 teeth.  I got to the 40th tooth and realized my sci-fi scarf race had to end.  I’d run out of both colors of yarn and had just a tiny bit of blue to finish the cast off edge.

Hitchhiker 1

42, 41, 40… the galaxy is still doing its thing brilliantly and I haven’t been zapped for not having the perfect number on my Hitchhiker!

Hitchhiker 4

Hitchhiker (Ravelry notes)
Pattern: Hitchhiker by Martina Behm
Yarn: Madelinetosh Sock in “Forestry”
Needles: Size US 7 / 4.5 mm

Hitchhiker 5

7 thoughts on “Hitchhiker

  1. Karen @ Pieces of Contentment

    The colours and texture of your skein of yarn are truly delightful. The blue you paired it with helps bring our the blue tones in your skein too. Maybe 40 is the perfect number for this project. Gorgeous set of photos and completed just in time to enjoy during the cooler weather. You must almost be tempted to buy anther skein purely to appreciate its beauty in its unused state.

    Reply

  2. Kelly

    Pretty! Kind of reminds me of my swap scarf from knit east. I haven’t read the hitchhiker’s guide so I’m glad you explained the 42.
    Love the polka dot top!

    Reply

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