After five repeats of the pattern rows (around six inches), I decided the scarf was probably wide enough – or at least that I couldn’t face another 48 rows of the pattern at 15-20 minutes per row, so I’d had enough.

I’m surprised at how far off I am in comparison to the finished size of the scarf as given in the pattern, considering I was pretty much right on in the stockinette gauge. After blocking, the scarf is only 49" long – almost a foot off the 60 inches quoted – and slightly shorter than 7" wide. I assume that the pattern length came with the blocking, and it’s true mine could have been narrower and longer, but the ends flared out so badly that I ended up blocking to the width that best accommodated them and then making the rest of the scarf match. The width is good at five repeats. The cast on and cast off edges are not identical, but the tensions are similar and they don’t look mismatched.

After soaking the scarf the longer fibers in the Elann Peruvian Baby Cashmere obscured the distinct herringbone pattern a bit, though the fabric is soft. I used just over five balls (109 yards/100 metres) – I only tapped the sixth ball in the bind off.

The results are mildly disheartening, given the time involved. If I were going to knit it again I would probably cast on an additional hundred or so stitches for the length. I have enough yarn left to add a fringe, which should visually add a few inches and may camouflage the flaring a bit. I’ll see what it looks like when it’s dry.