Berroco Running Stitch Scarf Knitting Pattern

Berroco Running Stitch Scarf

What Is Being Made

The Berroco Running Stitch Scarf is a long, striped knit accessory measuring approximately 10 inches wide by 82 inches long. This downloadable PDF pattern, designed by Ann Weaver, creates a sophisticated scarf featuring alternating bands of textured garter stitch and smooth Stockinette stitch in a rotating palette of ten distinct colors from the Berroco Ultra Wool yarn line.

Knitting Techniques

This scarf employs several intermediate knitting techniques that add visual interest and construction efficiency:

• Bottom-up construction: The scarf is knit lengthwise rather than from end to end, allowing the crafter to work long rows that build the full length of the finished piece.
• Striping: Ten different Berroco Ultra Wool colors are introduced sequentially throughout the pattern, creating distinct horizontal color bands across the width of the scarf.
• No-turn rows: Within garter stitch sections, certain rows are worked without turning the piece. Instead of flipping the work, the knitter returns to the beginning of the row and continues knitting with the next color, creating a unique textural effect.
• Color carrying: When colors are not actively in use, they are carried loosely up the side of the work. The pattern instructs knitters to twist colors together at the beginning of every other row to prevent long, loose loops from forming on the edges.
• Worked flat: The scarf is created on circular needles using flat knitting (not in the round), making it accessible to knitters of all experience levels.

Stitches Used

The Running Stitch Scarf utilizes two fundamental knit stitches in alternating sections:

• Garter stitch: Created by knitting every row, garter stitch produces a bumpy, textured fabric with horizontal ridges. This stitch appears in multiple sections throughout the pattern and provides visual contrast to the smoother areas.
• Stockinette stitch (St st): Formed by alternating knit and purl rows, Stockinette stitch creates a smooth, flat fabric with a distinctive V-pattern on the right side. This stitch fills sections between the garter stitch bands.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for Berroco Ultra Wool, a worsted-weight yarn available in 100-gram balls. The scarf requires one ball each of ten colors: Smoke (C1), Kale (C2), Columbine (C3), Granite (C4), Dove (C5), Bittersweet (C6), Rosemary (C7), Thyme (C8), Hollyhock (C9), and Iris (C10). This color selection creates a rich, multi-hued striped effect.

Needles and notions: Knitters should use a 36-inch circular needle in size 6 (4.00 mm), though the pattern recommends purchasing a 60-inch circular needle to make working the long rows more manageable. A tapestry needle is required for finishing, and an optional crochet hook may be used for attaching fringe if desired.

Skill Level and Gauge

This pattern is rated as Easy, making it suitable for beginner to intermediate knitters. The gauge is 18 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette stitch. The pattern emphasizes the importance of checking gauge before beginning to ensure accurate finished measurements.

Pattern Structure

The scarf begins with casting on 350 stitches using Smoke (C1) and progresses through multiple sections that alternate between garter stitch and Stockinette stitch bands. Each color section typically spans between one and three rows, with the pattern incorporating the no-turn technique to create unique textural variations. The downloadable PDF format allows knitters to reference detailed instructions for each section as they work.