Noro Buttonhole Scarf Knitting Pattern

Noro Buttonhole Scarf

What is Being Made

The Noro Buttonhole Scarf is an intermediate-level knitted scarf featuring a sophisticated lace design with functional buttonholes. This accessory measures 7 inches wide by 77 inches long, making it a generous length suitable for wrapping and styling. The scarf showcases decorative buttonhole details worked throughout the design, combining both aesthetic appeal and practical functionality.

Techniques Used

This scarf is constructed using several key knitting techniques that work together to create its distinctive appearance:

• Bottom-up construction: The scarf is worked from the bottom edge upward, allowing knitters to try on the piece as it grows and adjust the final length as desired.
• Seamless, flat knitting: The entire scarf is worked flat on straight needles without seaming, creating a clean, finished appearance with no interruptions in the fabric.
• Lace patterning: Decorative lace elements are incorporated throughout, created using yarn overs and decreases to form openwork sections that add visual interest and lightness to the design.
• One-row buttonholes: The pattern includes instructions for working buttonholes in a single row, a technique that creates functional openings while maintaining the integrity of the fabric. The pattern notes reference How-To photos demonstrating this buttonhole method.
• Selvage stitches: Edge stitches are worked on every right-side row using a purlwise slip stitch with yarn in front, which helps create neat, finished edges and facilitates easier finishing.

Stitches Used

The Noro Buttonhole Scarf employs fundamental knitting stitches combined with lace techniques:

• Stockinette stitch: The primary fabric structure, created by alternating knit rows on the right side with purl rows on the wrong side, providing a smooth, classic base for the design.
• Yarn overs: Used to create the openwork sections characteristic of lace patterns, these stitches add decorative holes and delicate texture throughout the scarf.
• Decreases: Paired with yarn overs to maintain stitch count while shaping the lace motifs. The pattern utilizes slip, slip, knit (or purl) decreases, which involve slipping two stitches and knitting them together.
• Slip stitches: Used for selvage edges, these stitches are worked purlwise without being knitted, creating a neat, chain-like edge that frames the scarf.

Materials and Tools

The Noro Buttonhole Scarf requires minimal materials, making it an accessible project for intermediate knitters:

• Yarn: One 100-gram hank of Noro Kiri in colorway #05. Noro Kiri is known for its beautiful color variations and quality construction, ideal for showcasing both lace patterns and buttonhole details.
• Needles: One pair of US size 9 (5.5mm) needles or the size needed to obtain proper gauge. The pattern recommends using LYKKE® needles for optimal results.
• Additional supplies: Stitch markers (either contrasting yarn loops or purchased markers) to help track pattern repeats and buttonhole placement, and contrasting yarn for marking purposes.

Gauge and Finishing

Achieving the correct gauge is essential for this project. The pattern specifies 21 stitches and 22 rows over 4 inches in Stockinette stitch after blocking, using size US 9 needles. Knitters are strongly advised to take time to check gauge before beginning, as this ensures the finished scarf will meet the intended measurements of 7 inches wide by 77 inches long. Blocking after completion helps set the lace pattern and ensures consistent drape and dimensions throughout the finished scarf.