Koigu Wilbert's Scarf Knitting Pattern

Wilbert's Scarf - Nude by Koigu

What Is Being Made

Wilbert's Scarf is a long, elegant knitted scarf designed by Wilbert Schouten and published by Koigu Wool Designs as part of the Koigu Pencil Box Collection 2. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a finished scarf measuring approximately 195 centimeters (78 inches) in length with a width of approximately 10 centimeters (4 inches). The scarf features a striking zigzag pattern created through strategic increases and decreases, making it a visually dynamic accessory suitable for knitters with some experience.

Techniques Used

The primary technique in Wilbert's Scarf involves colorwork sequencing, where the knitter works through a repeating 40-row color cycle using the Koigu Pencil Box collection of 10 distinct colors. The scarf begins and ends with 6 rows of garter stitch worked in a single color (Color A) to create stable, finished edges. The body of the scarf employs a zigzag lace pattern that is formed through increases and decreases worked on every right-side row, creating a dynamic visual movement along the length of the scarf. This technique requires attention to stitch placement and shaping on alternating rows.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch: Used for the border rows at the beginning and end of the scarf, creating a textured, reversible edge
• Knit front and back (kfb): An increase stitch worked on right-side rows to create the expanding portions of the zigzag pattern
• Slip, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over (sl, k2tog, psso): A centered double decrease that forms the contracting portions of the zigzag, creating the distinctive peak-and-valley effect
• Purl: Used on all wrong-side rows between pattern rows
• Knit: The foundation stitch used throughout the garter stitch borders and pattern rows

Materials and Specifications

Wilbert's Scarf is worked using Koigu KPPPM/KPM, a 100% merino wool yarn available in 50-gram skeins with 175 yards (160 meters) per skein. The pattern requires a total of 8 skeins from the Koigu Pencil Box Nude collection: 3 skeins of color 1115 (Color A), 2 skeins of color 2239 (Color B), and 1 demi skein each of 10 distinct colors from the Pencil Box collection (Color C variations). Knitting is worked on 3mm (US #3) needles or the size required to achieve the specified gauge. A tapestry needle is needed for weaving in ends during finishing.

Gauge and Pattern Structure

The pattern is designed to be worked at a gauge of 28 stitches over 10 centimeters (4 inches) in the main pattern stitch. The scarf begins with casting on 104 stitches loosely, which accommodates the repeating pattern unit of 17 stitches plus 2 edge stitches. The two-row repeat—consisting of a right-side row with increases and decreases, followed by a wrong-side purl row—is repeated continuously while working through the color sequence until the desired length is achieved, approximately 193 centimeters.

Color Sequence and Finishing

The color work follows a structured 40-row cycle: 16 rows in Color B, followed by 8 rows each in two different colors from the Pencil Box collection, then 8 rows in Color A. This sequence repeats, with new Pencil Box colors introduced with each cycle until all 10 colors have been used. After reaching the desired length, the knitter works 6 final rows in garter stitch with Color A to match the beginning, then binds off all stitches loosely. Finishing is completed by weaving in all ends with a tapestry needle.