Felted Bristol Braided Scarf Knitting Pattern

Felted Bristol Braided Scarf Knitting Pattern

Project Overview

The Felted Bristol Braided Scarf is a beginner-level knitting pattern from Lion Brand Yarn (Pattern Number 80916AD) that creates a finished accessory measuring approximately 8 x 175 inches after felting. This downloadable PDF pattern combines three separately knitted strips that are braided together and felted to produce a textured, durable scarf with visual depth and dimensional interest.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a single scarf constructed from three individual knitted strips in coordinating colors that are later braided together and felted. The final piece forms a loop through the joining of braided ends, creating a versatile accessory suitable for various styling options. The felting process transforms the knitted fabric, creating a cohesive, finished appearance while adding structure and durability to the completed scarf.

Techniques Used

The Felted Bristol Braided Scarf employs several key techniques that make it accessible to beginners while producing professional results:

• Knitting - The foundational technique used to create three separate strips
• Felting - A finishing process using hot water washing and machine drying to shrink and mat the wool fibers, creating a dense, finished fabric
• Braiding - Three completed strips are braided together after knitting to create the scarf's final structure
• Seaming - Hand-stitching is used to join strips at the beginning and end of the braid, and to close the braided ends into a loop

Stitches Used

Stockinette Stitch is the primary stitch throughout this pattern. Worked by knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side, Stockinette creates a smooth, classic fabric with a distinctive V-pattern appearance on the finished side. This fundamental stitch is ideal for beginners and provides an excellent canvas for the felting process, as the consistent fabric structure felts evenly and predictably.

Materials and Yarn

This pattern requires Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool yarn, a durable, feltable wool specifically suited for projects that will undergo the felting process. The pattern calls for three balls each of three coordinating colorways:

• Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool in Natural (Color 150-098) - 3 balls
• Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool in Oatmeal (Color 150-123) - 3 balls
• Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool in Nature's Brown (Color 150-126) - 3 balls

The total yardage across all three colors creates strips that measure approximately 185 inches before felting, which shrink to the finished dimensions through the felting process.

Tools and Needles

Knitters will need Lion Brand Knitting Needles in Size 9 (5.5 mm) to achieve the proper gauge. Additionally, a set of large-eye blunt needles is required for weaving in ends after the scarf is complete. These blunt needles prevent splitting the yarn fibers during finishing work.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 16 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette stitch before felting. Achieving proper gauge is essential, as it ensures the finished scarf will be the correct size and that the materials provided will be sufficient. Knitters should swatch before beginning and adjust needle size if their gauge differs from the pattern specifications.

Pattern Construction

Each of the three scarf strips begins with casting on 20 stitches and continues in Stockinette stitch until the piece reaches approximately 185 inches in length. This process is repeated three times using the three different yarn colors. Once all strips are complete, they are stacked and sewn together at one end, then braided together. The braided structure is secured by sewing the strips together at the opposite end, and the ends of the braid are sewn together to form a continuous loop.

Felting Process

The felting finishing step is crucial to the scarf's final appearance and durability. The three knitted strips are machine washed on a hot wash and cold rinse cycle with detergent and additional clothing pieces to provide agitation. The pieces are then machine dried on a regular setting until nearly dry, at which point they are removed and shaped by hand. This process shrinks the wool fibers and creates a dense, finished fabric that holds its shape and resists unraveling.

Skill