Houndstooth Scarf Knitting Pattern

Houndstooth Scarf in Rowan Alpaca Classic

What Is Being Made

The Houndstooth Scarf is a classic accessory knit in a sophisticated two-color fairisle pattern. This scarf measures approximately 25 cm (9¾ inches) wide by 200 cm (78¾ inches) long, making it a generous length suitable for wrapping and styling. The design features a traditional houndstooth check pattern created through the fairisle colorwork technique, combining Snowflake White and Green Moss shades from Rowan's Alpaca Classic yarn collection.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level project employs the fairisle technique, a stranded colorwork method where two colors are worked simultaneously across each row. The pattern instructions specify that stranded yarns should not be carried over more than three stitches at a time; instead, they should be caught under and over the working color to keep the floats neat and prevent loose strands on the reverse side of the fabric. This technique creates a dense, structured fabric ideal for a scarf that will maintain its shape and elasticity through wear and washing.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch – the primary stitch forming the base fabric
• Purl stitch – used on wrong-side rows to maintain pattern continuity
• Slip stitch – worked at the beginning of each row (slipped knitwise on right-side rows, slipped purlwise on wrong-side rows) to create a neat, finished edge
• Cast-on and cast-off – the scarf begins with a cast-on of 70 stitches and ends with a knitwise cast-off

Pattern Structure

The houndstooth pattern is worked from a chart that repeats over 4 rows and 4 stitches. The 70-stitch cast-on accommodates seventeen full 4-stitch repeats across the width, with edge stitches worked in yarn A (Snowflake White) to frame the pattern. Knitters work rows 1 through 4 of the chart repeatedly until the scarf reaches the desired 200 cm length, then cast off. The pattern requires attention to chart reading and color changes, making it suitable for knitters with fairisle experience.

Materials

Yarn: Rowan Alpaca Classic, a luxury yarn blend worked at a relatively fine gauge. The pattern calls for 3 balls (25 grams each) of Snowflake White (colorway 115) and 3 balls of Green Moss (colorway 111), for a total of approximately 150 grams of yarn.

Needles: One pair of 3.75mm (US Size 5) needles. The gauge is 28 stitches and 26 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) measured over the fairisle pattern after blocking, which is important to achieve the correct finished dimensions.

Finishing

After knitting is complete, the scarf should be pressed according to the information page guidelines included with the pattern. Proper blocking ensures even tension, sets the fairisle pattern, and helps the scarf lie flat and maintain its finished measurements.