Noro Origami Scarf Knitting Pattern

Noro Origami Scarf

What Is Being Made

The Noro Origami Scarf is a knitted accessory designed by Margie Kieper. This finished scarf measures 12 inches wide by 72 inches long (30.5cm × 183cm), making it a generous length suitable for wrapping, draping, or layering. The scarf is worked in a seamless, flat construction from the bottom up, creating a cohesive piece without the need for seaming.

Techniques Used

This knitting project employs several intermediate techniques to create visual interest and texture:

• Bottom-up construction: The scarf is knitted from cast-on edge to bind-off edge in a single direction, allowing the crafter to try on the piece and adjust length as desired.
• Seamless, worked-flat method: Rather than working in the round, this scarf is constructed flat on straight needles, eliminating the need for seaming while maintaining a clean finish.
• Cable techniques: The pattern incorporates cable stitches, including right twist (RT) and left twist (LT) maneuvers. The right twist involves knitting two stitches together while leaving them on the left-hand needle, then knitting the first stitch before sliding both stitches off. The left twist reverses this action, slipping two stitches knitwise, placing them back on the left needle, and working through the back loops for a twisted effect.
• Yarn overs: The pattern uses yarn overs to create openwork or decorative elements, adding dimension to the fabric.
• Stretchy bind-off: A specialized bind-off technique is employed to ensure the finished edge remains elastic and comfortable, preventing a tight, restrictive edge.

Stitches Used

The Noro Origami Scarf utilizes a range of fundamental and decorative knitting stitches:

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary stitch base, creating smooth, even fabric with a distinctive V-pattern appearance on the right side.
• Knit and purl stitches: These foundational stitches form the basis of all pattern variations throughout the scarf.
• Knit two together (K2tog): A right-leaning decrease used to shape the fabric and create twisted cable elements.
• Knit two together through back loop (K2tog tbl): A left-leaning decrease that creates a different visual effect, used in both pattern work and the specialized bind-off.
• Slip stitches: Used for edge treatment and pattern transitions, including slip one knitwise and slip one purlwise variations.
• Right twist (RT) and left twist (LT): Decorative twisted stitches that add texture without requiring a cable needle, creating elegant cable-like effects.
• Yarn over (YO): Creates deliberate holes or eyelets in the fabric for decorative purposes.

Materials and Gauge

The Noro Origami Scarf is designed to showcase the beautiful qualities of premium yarn:

• Yarn: Four 75-gram hanks of Noro Kashirukuru in colorway #01. This yarn choice emphasizes the brand's signature approach to color and texture.
• Needles: One pair of US size 7 (4.5mm) straight needles, or the size required to achieve proper gauge.
• Gauge: 17 stitches and 22 rows equal 4 inches (10cm) over stockinette stitch. Achieving this gauge is essential for the scarf to reach its intended finished measurements and drape correctly.

Pattern Structure

The scarf begins with a long-tail cast-on of 57 stitches, establishing a foundation with adequate width for the finished 12-inch measurement. The set-up row on the right side alternates purl and knit stitches in a specific pattern, with edge stitches slipped for a polished selvage. From this foundation, the pattern stitch is established and worked continuously until the desired length is reached. The pattern maintains consistent stitch counts throughout, working even without increases or decreases except where shaping is intentionally designed into the cable and twist elements.