Alder Scarf Knitting Pattern

Alder Scarf in Rowan Alpaca Classic

What is Being Made

The Alder Scarf is a knitted accessory measuring 25.5cm wide by 180.5cm long. This design features a two-sided construction with contrasting front and back panels, creating a reversible or layered effect when seamed together with right sides facing outward.

Craft and Techniques

This is an intermediate-level knitting project that combines multiple advanced techniques to create visual interest and texture.

The scarf employs intarsia knitting on the front panel, a technique where different colored yarns are used to create a pattern without carrying yarn across the back of the work. This method produces a clean reverse side and allows for bold color blocking and detailed motifs. The pattern chart spans 80 rows and is repeated 7 times across the length of the front panel to achieve the full scarf dimensions.

Fairisle stranding techniques are referenced in the pattern instructions, explaining how to manage multiple colors when working across rows. Knitters are advised to strand unused yarns loosely behind active stitches, spreading stitches to their correct width to maintain elasticity. The pattern recommends catching stranded yarns under and over the working color to prevent excessive floating yarns, with best practice being not to carry stranded yarns over more than three stitches at a time.

The back panel is worked in simple stockinette stitch (alternating knit and purl rows) in a single color, providing structural balance and a clean finish.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout both front and back panels, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Intarsia pattern: Color work technique used on the front panel following the provided 80-row chart
• Cast-on and cast-off: Standard edge techniques to begin and finish the knitted panels

Materials

This pattern calls for Rowan Alpaca Classic yarn in three colorways:

• Yarn A – Snowflake White (115 x 9): The primary yarn used for casting on, the majority of the scarf structure, and casting off
• Yarn B – Feather Grey Melange (101 x 1): A secondary color for intarsia pattern detail on the front panel
• Yarn C – Noir (103 x 3): A third color for intarsia pattern work on the front panel

Knitters will need one pair of 3.75mm (US 5) needles to work this project. The tension is set at 23 stitches and 31 rows to 10 centimeters, measured over the intarsia pattern and stockinette stitch using the specified needle size.

Construction Details

The scarf is constructed as two separate rectangular panels that are later seamed together. The front panel begins with casting on 59 stitches in Yarn A and working in stockinette stitch throughout while simultaneously working the intarsia color pattern from the chart. The 80-row chart is repeated 7 times to create the full length. The back panel is also cast on with 59 stitches in Yarn A and worked in plain stockinette stitch until it reaches the same length as the front panel. Both panels are then seamed together with right sides facing outward, creating a reversible or double-sided effect.