Fence Rail Lizard is a moebius wrap or scarf knit in the round. It works with any gauge yarn and includes directions to make any desired size. While the wrap is a more feminine accessory, the scarf is unisex. Knit in a lighter weight yarn, even the wrap can be worn as a scarf.

The pattern is ten pages packed with information and photographs, including four pages of tutorials. The written pattern for the body and the lace charts are contained on a single page, making it easy to view and print the directions.

Cast On
The pattern includes a tutorial with detailed photographs and directions for working a ribbed long tail cast on and picking up the second “edge” of the moebius. From then on, work continues in the round.

There are directions for invisibly making minor corrections to the cast on stitch count, as opposed to having to start over.

The pattern can also be used with any other moebius cast on.

Bind Off
The stretchy Icelandic bind off is recommended, though other bind offs can be used. A tutorial for the Icelandic bind off is included.

Difficulty
Intermediate, because of the moebius cast on and set up. After that, it’s easy. At 10 stitches long, the stitch pattern is quick to memorize. The moebius construction eliminates any edge adjustments for the lace, so it is a good beginner lace project. After completing the cast on and the first couple of rounds (in complete isolation!), I found it easy to continue work on the wrap in a knitting group without losing track of the stitch pattern.

Inspiration
I was sitting outside on the deck knitting a moebius and getting really bored with that much garter. Not that I don’t love garter stitch, but this time I just wanted… more. As usual, fence rail lizards were sunning on the house foundation and the trunks of nearby white oak trees. I stopped to admire their zigzag scale patterns, which are impressive camouflage against tree bark, turned back to my knitting, and Fence Rail Lizard was born.

Size & Yarn
The lace is very stretchy, so the wrap is forgiving on size. The pattern works for any weight yarn and can be custom fit. In a DK or sock yarn, it weighs about 100g, making it perfect for that wallflower skein languishing in your stash. There’s even help to use all the skein and get through the bind off without running out of yarn.

The turquoise model was knit in Noro Iro, a bulky long run striping yarn (yarn is discontinued, Noro Hitsuji, Karuta, Obi, or Odori suggested as a substitute). The purple model is in Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend, a DK weight short run striping yarn.

Handspun
The dyed locks and yarn cake photos are the handspun version (400 yds, 9 oz, 2 ply, 6 wpi).