Difficulty: Medium. Charts only, and both RS and WS rows are charted. The WS rows are very simple, however, and the charts are small.

Yarn: Laceweight mohair/silk, for instance Austerman Kid Silk or Drops Kid-silk. Amount needed depends on your desired size. As shown (pink scarf) was used 45 g for the body main colour (MC), and less than 25 g of each of 3 different colours for the border (layer 1, 2 and 3). I found that mohair works really well for the smock pattern, but you can also combine different types of yarn. The brown/white version shown here uses DyeDianaDye FlaxenSilk{c} cobweb with 2 threads held together to get the same gauge as the mohair used for the second layer of the border.

Beads: 4 mm cubes or equivalent. One for each repeat you cast on, times the number of rows you wish to bead. With 3 beaded rows and 57 repeats you will need 171 beads. You will be pulling 4 sts (8 strands of yarn) through the holes at the same time, so make sure the beads have a large enough hole for this.
You can leave out beads altogether, or use more or less than stated here according to taste.

Other tools: Gizmo for adding beads, a crochet hook size 1mm or the like works well. 2-3 stoppers for needle tips are handy.

Size: 12 inches (30 cm) deep and 44 inches (120 cm) wide with 57 repeats. Size is easily adjustable in both directions. Make a narrow scarf or a wide shawl.

Gauge: Each repeat measures approximately ¾ inch (2 cm) measured over smock pattern in chart A.

The infinity version was added due to popular request (thank you for the idea, Denise). It can be worked any size you like.
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Two files for each version are available, one top down and the other bottom up. Pick your favourite method. The two versions have different requirements for needles and crochet hooks needed.

• Bottom up:

Construction: The first two layers of border are worked on separate needles, then gathered. Layer 3 is worked on a separate needle and that layer is then gathered with layer 2. Finally the main body is worked, and the scarf is bound off using a sideways I-cord bind off. You can work as many layers of border as you like.

Needles and crochet hook: Two long circular needles size US 4 (3.5 mm) or size to get the fabric/gauge you like. A crochet hook the same size as your working needle for the Chinese Waitress cast on. You can substitute with the long tail cast on if you wish.

• Top down:

Construction: You first work a long I-cord, then pick up your body stitches from the side of the I-cord. The body is worked, then layer 1 of the border. Layer 2 is picked up from layer 1 and worked, then layer 3 is picked up from layer 2 and worked. Add as many or few layers as you wish.

Needles: One long size US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needle or size to get the fabric/gauge you like. Two double pointed needles or one short circular needle of the same size. You also need a smaller size very long circular as a holding needle for the picked up border sts. Size not important as long as it is smaller, it is only for holding stitches.