The Globally Warm Scarf

Sky Scarf in progressThis project was inspired by another project that I did in 2015: a Sky Scarf. The Sky Scarf is a project concept from Lea Redmond over at Leafcutter Designs: the idea is that you go outside every day for a year and see what color(s) the sky is, and knit or crochet a row in those colors. At the end, you have a scarf that is a reminder of your personal weather throughout that year. As soon as I started that project, I started thinking about the possibilities of representing other data series using some sort of color assignment that would make sense to describe the data.

In my line of work, we appreciate the value of a long dataset. It’s actually pretty difficult to commit to measure the same thing over long periods of time. One of the things that we humans have been pretty good about measuring, because it’s so important to us, is weather. But we’ve really only been doing a good job of it for less than 150 years. Fortunately, the natural world does some recording of its own: tree growth rings, glacial ice cores, and accumulated deep lake sediments preserve information that tells us about what the temperature and atmosphere were like centuries ago. Scientists have been able to put all these records together with observations from instruments to reconstruct what temperatures were like before we had the ability to measure them directly.

I decided to use data describing the average surface temperature of Earth each year and color-code it to create a scarf pattern. The color code uses shades of blue for cooler-than-normal, shades of red for warmer-than-normal, and purple for normal (because, as you will learn if you visit this blog much, I like purple!).

But temperature changes, so what is “normal”? This dataset doesn’t portray the daily or even seasonal swings in temperature that we are most familiar with in our daily lives, wherever we may live. It is an average over time (a whole year at a time) and over space (representative points around the globe, both land and sea), and that value has been fairly stable for very long periods. The period from 1600-1900 is an example of a long time when the annual global temperature varied over a small range, so I used the average from those three centuries as my reference point and called up to 0.1 degrees C above or below that “normal”. During those 300 years (the left three-quarters in the picture below), cool years (blue) were only a little cooler (0.1-0.3 degrees C below normal) and happened for a few years about once or twice per century, and warm years (red) were only a little warmer (0.1-0.3 degrees C above normal) and also happened for a few years once or twice per century. (Temperature fluctuations for centuries before 1600 were not too different from this: I just started with the year 1600 because I wanted about 400 rows for my scarf.)

Starting in the late 20th century, temperatures started to exceed this normal range that had persisted for centuries, and this is represented in the scarf by darker shades of red for every 0.1-0.3 degrees C increase. The last year in the typical historical cool range was in the early 1930s. More importantly, the last year in the typical historical normal range was in the 1970s, and since then the global average temperature has been increasing dramatically. These may seem like small temperature changes compared to the normal daily and seasonal temperature swings that we experience, but making the whole seasonal cycle just 1-2 degrees warmer overall across the globe represents a tremendous amount of extra heat that can melt polar ice, feed energy to hurricanes, and shift agricultural zones.

One of the things I learned during this project was that, even though I was already familiar with this dataset scientifically, I experienced it in a new and more personal way while creating my scarf: putting a yarn color away because I wouldn’t need it again, or getting out a new color that I hadn’t needed before, really drove home the changes as I worked through the timeline. I enjoyed sharing this more emotional connection to the science when I exhibited my scarf in November 2015 at the Coastal and Estuarine Research Federation meeting during an experimental session called “Artistic Pathways to Scientific Understanding”. We had a wonderful time learning about how other researchers integrate their scientific and artistic interests, and it was interesting to see how many different ways a scientific study could be presented without losing its core messages.

My scarf was constructed using Tunisian crochet, but the stripe pattern can be adapted to many crafts including knitting and conventional crochet. If you’d like to make a global temperature scarf yourself, I’m offering the pattern free of charge: use the download button below. I give complete directions for the Tunisian crochet version in my pattern because it’s the technique I used, and it’s less well known than other yarn crafts. I give some guidelines for how to choose yarn and stitch patterns if you want to try this with another craft technique. As with all craft patterns, please credit the author (me) when describing the pattern for your reproduced work. References to the temperature datasets that I used are included with the pattern. If you create your own representation of the data, please credit the researchers for their work in producing these complex analyses.

Globally Warm Scarf Pattern
Globally Warm Scarf Pattern

If you’re interested in the details behind how the data were converted to a color sequence, or if you’re interested in the color sequence for years before 1600 (the reconstruction goes all the way back to 200!), please email me.

Another feature of this scarf is that I invented a new Tunisian crochet stitch pattern for it, which gives the scarf some texture and combats the tendency of Tunisian crochet to curl. If you’re interested in a more complete description of this stitch pattern including variations, that will be the subject of a later post.

Let me know in the comments if you are interested in making a scarf or another project using this stripe pattern!

Joan

24 thoughts on “The Globally Warm Scarf

  • November 15, 2017 at 5:57 pm
    Permalink

    I found your patterning Ravelry. I am brand new to crochet, and was looking for a beginner level scarf for my first project. I was initially attracted to the lovely dense stitch, but was really pulled in by your description of the project, your combining the scientific and artistic elements, and the meaning of the colors. What a great project! Thank you for this.

    Reply
    • Avatar photo
      November 15, 2017 at 7:57 pm
      Permalink

      Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you enjoy the pattern! Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any problems or questions.

      Reply
  • Pingback: Patchwork Nation – Flying Parrot Quilts

  • Avatar photo
    January 29, 2018 at 3:22 pm
    Permalink

    The download link now points to an updated version including data for 2017.

    Reply
  • April 4, 2018 at 12:10 pm
    Permalink

    Hi Joan
    I am a graphic design student at Parsons in NY and I am writing my final paper on the relationship between craft and science. I was in contact with your friend Sylvia Schaefer about her quilts and she sent me in the direction of your global warming scarf (which is about the most incredible representation of data I have ever seen). I would love permission to include a picture of the scarf in my paper, of course, I will make sure to credit your work.
    If you are willing would you mind sending me a high-resolution file?
    With kind regards
    Genevieve

    Reply
  • Pingback: Crafting takes a dark turn in the age of climate crisis - Tech Links Daily

  • January 15, 2019 at 5:27 pm
    Permalink

    This is really super interesting , Joan!
    thanks for sharing.
    Erika

    Reply
  • January 26, 2019 at 11:43 am
    Permalink

    Hi, just wanted to let you know that I absolutely love this scarf and have just begun knitting one myself. I’ll be showing it at a talk I’m giving in March about living a zero waste lifestyle.
    I couldn’t find that many shades of red in my local yarn shop so have made my Warm1 yellow, going through orange to arrive at red.
    If you happen to know what colour I should use for 2018 that would be incredibly helpful…

    Reply
    • Avatar photo
      January 26, 2019 at 12:36 pm
      Permalink

      Thanks for stopping by, and I’m glad to hear you’re making your own scarf! I hope you enjoy the journey as well as the finished project. The recent years in the pattern rely on data from NASA, and they have not yet posted the final data for 2018. I’ll update the pattern as soon as I can after they do that, so please check back here.
      Joan

      Reply
    • Avatar photo
      March 28, 2019 at 10:11 pm
      Permalink

      Hi, I’m sorry I didn’t get this done in time for your March deadline, but the pattern has been updated to include the 2018 data. Warm5 it is!
      Joan

      Reply
  • Avatar photo
    March 28, 2019 at 10:09 pm
    Permalink

    The download link now points to an updated version including data for 2018. Happy crafting!
    Joan

    Reply
  • Avatar photo
    March 6, 2020 at 7:28 pm
    Permalink

    The download link now points to an updated version including data for 2019. There was a reanalysis of the underlying data that has changed a few past years from one color to another. This happens from time to time as scientists refine their techniques to give us the most up-to-date picture of historical climate. The changes were small, and overall conclusions from the data remain the same. Happy crafting!
    Joan

    Reply
  • Avatar photo
    November 5, 2021 at 8:06 pm
    Permalink

    The download link now points to an updated version including data for 2020.

    Since the last update, I’ve learned to knit! The most recent version of the pattern now includes knitting stitch and gauge suggestions based on a swatch that I made with the original yarn.

    Joan

    Reply
  • Avatar photo
    May 26, 2022 at 3:57 pm
    Permalink

    The download link now points to an updated version including data for 2021.

    Reply
  • June 17, 2022 at 8:56 pm
    Permalink

    I’m a knitter and wonder what stitch would be good so edges don’t curl. Basket weave? Seed stitch? I love the idea and your colors are exquisite. Thanks for any help you can offer.

    Reply
    • Avatar photo
      June 17, 2022 at 10:01 pm
      Permalink

      I’m relatively new to knitting and I don’t have experience with those stitch types. I did swatch with garter stitch to estimate gauge for knitters (details are in the pattern), and that doesn’t curl as much as stockinette but there may be better options. You’ll want a very compact stitch for a scarf so it doesn’t end up too long. Seed stitch would be compact but the appearance of alternating stitches might detract from the stripes? It wouldn’t hurt to swatch that, though, maybe it would work for this. I’d suggest the lightest weight yarn that you’re comfortable working with (fingering weight or lighter) or else start the pattern at a later year (1700). I’m glad you like the colors and I hope you enjoy the experience of crafting the stripes.
      Joan

      Reply
  • June 17, 2022 at 8:59 pm
    Permalink

    I’m waiting for your response to my comment. Maybe I can learn to crochet as it’s much faster than the knitting stitch I mentioned above 0 basket weave, seed stitch. And I knit American style so it’s even slower. Thanks

    Reply
    • Avatar photo
      June 17, 2022 at 10:19 pm
      Permalink

      I swatched for conventional crochet, and slip stitch through front loops only (sl st flo), doing 2 rows per data year, gives a reasonable gauge with fingering weight yarn but it’s pretty stretchy. Probably the best crochet alternative if you don’t want a stretchy fabric would be single crochet and do 1 row per data year, but then you will have to change colors at both edges (that is, you may find that you drop a color at one edge but need it again at the opposite edge, so there will be more ends to weave in.)

      Reply
  • June 21, 2022 at 3:52 pm
    Permalink

    You clearly put a lot of work into translating the temperature graphs into climate stripe pattern for crochet/knit. Thank you!
    I am a retired biology professor with a keen interest in climate change. I am a member of the Citizens’ Climate Lobby, a national organization dedicated to lobbying for carbon fee and dividend (website: https://citizensclimatelobby.org/). In addition to lobbying members of congress, we also do a lot of outreach work. I look forward to showcasing your scarf at our next tabling event.
    I chose colors to match the weather charts familiar to people from the news media. The result is a graphic statement, but I do like your color choices better for a wearable garment. I am also considering the climate stripes shown in:
    https://earth.org/data_visualization/11-interesting-facts-about-climate-change/

    Again, thank you for your work in creating the stripe data set and the pattern.
    Best wishes,
    Charlotte

    Reply
  • Avatar photo
    June 21, 2022 at 5:00 pm
    Permalink

    Thank you so much for these kind words! I hope this is an effective visualization for your use. If you contact any Georgia members of Congress, please be sure to let them know that the original climate stripes were developed by me in Georgia!

    Reply
  • July 7, 2023 at 8:11 am
    Permalink

    Do you have data for 2022? If not, do you know when it will be available? Making scarf for science teacher son for Christmas and would like to include 1922 data. Thank You for this WONDERFUL idea!

    Reply
    • Avatar photo
      July 7, 2023 at 10:48 am
      Permalink

      I do have data for 2022 and thank you for reminding me that I still needed to upload the updated pattern. The download link now points to an updated version including data for 2022. I hope you enjoy the experience of crafting the climate stripes and I hope your recipient likes their gift!

      Reply
  • November 12, 2023 at 11:55 am
    Permalink

    Dear Joan —
    THANK YOU for the 2022 data. I have completed the scarf through 2022. Am now working on making it more useful for use in his science classroom — Adding 50 year markings for one thing. And I would like to include 2023 data. Could you project the rest of the year and give me your rating for 2023 fully accepting it is a projection. Will try to send a picture to your email.
    THANK YOU, Know son will LOVE it.

    Reply
  • Avatar photo
    January 17, 2024 at 4:06 pm
    Permalink

    The pattern download link now points to an updated version including data for 2023. As you have probably heard, 2023 was the warmest year on record, and it wasn’t even close: 0.16 degrees C above the previous record that was set in 2016 and matched in 2020. According to our color scheme, it’s time to introduce a new color, ‘Warm7’, to the stripe pattern. This color category represents 1.3-1.5 degrees C above the pre-industrial average, and 2023 was solidly in the middle of that range.

    https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-analysis-confirms-2023-as-warmest-year-on-record/

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.