Freia Fine Handpaints Highlands Scarf Knitting Pattern

Freia Fine Handpaints Highlands Scarf

Project Overview

The Highlands Scarf is a downloadable knitting pattern designed by Tina Whitmore that draws inspiration from the rolling hills of the Berkshires and the Atlas Mountains of Morocco. This seamless, bottom-up scarf features an undulating short row construction that creates a dynamic, wave-like texture reminiscent of mountain landscapes.

What Is Being Made

This is a rectangular scarf measuring approximately 76 inches long and 14 inches wide after blocking. The design uses a repeating pattern of short rows to create dimensional undulating sections, giving the finished piece visual depth and movement. The scarf is worked flat on straight needles in a single piece from bottom to top, eliminating the need for seaming.

Techniques Used

The primary construction technique is short rows, which are used to create the signature undulating texture. Short row sections are worked in groups, with each section forming one complete oval shape. The pattern incorporates wrap and turn (W&T) techniques to prevent holes at turning points, with wrapped stitches slipped on subsequent rows to maintain a clean appearance. The scarf is worked seamless and flat, meaning it requires no seaming and is constructed on straight needles rather than in the round.

Stitches Used

The scarf is constructed primarily using garter stitch, which is created by knitting every row. This fundamental stitch creates a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. The garter stitch serves as the base for the short row patterning, allowing the undulating sections to stand out clearly. The pattern includes stripe sequences created by alternating between main color and contrast color sections, with color changes occurring every two rows in most sections.

Materials and Specifications

The pattern calls for Freia Fine Handpaints Ombré Fingering Minikin Yarn, a fingering-weight yarn supplied in nine 25-gram balls, each containing 89 meters (107 yards). The yarn is worked on US Size 7 (4.5mm) needles.

The color palette consists of six main colors and three contrast colors. Main colors include Aswan (green), Mist (blue), Cloud (light grey), Sobek (black), Oyster (yellow), and Damask (tan). Contrast colors are Canyon (brown), Woodsman (blue/grey), and Harvest (brown). The specific color sequence is detailed in the pattern to achieve the intended striped effect.

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern gauge is 23 stitches and 46 rows over 4 inches in the pattern repeat before blocking. Gauge will vary based on individual yarn and needle choices. The scarf width and length are customizable: the width can be adjusted by changing the number of repeats cast on (one repeat equals 20 stitches), and the length can be extended by continuing the pattern repeat sequence beyond the standard finished dimensions.

Pattern Structure

The pattern is organized in rows with clearly marked sections. Row 8 contains the short row section A, which creates one full oval shape and is counted as a single row for row-counting purposes. This section is repeated four times across the width of the scarf. Following the short row sections, the pattern alternates between main color and contrast color stripes worked in garter stitch, with color changes typically occurring every two rows.