Rowan Circle Scarf Knitting Pattern

Rowan Circle in a Square Knitted Scarf

What is Being Made

The Circle in a Square is a knitted scarf designed by renowned colorwork artist Kaffe Fassett. This finished scarf measures approximately 27.5 cm (11 inches) wide and 178 cm (70 inches) long, making it a substantial accessory piece suitable for layering and styling.

Construction Method

This scarf is constructed using a seamless, bottom-up approach. The knitter begins by casting on stitches and working from the base upward, then folds the completed fabric lengthwise and joins the side seam to create the finished scarf shape. The cast-on and cast-off ends are also joined together as part of the finishing process.

Knitting Techniques

The Circle in a Square employs the intarsia technique, a colorwork method that involves joining and breaking off different colored yarns as required throughout the pattern. This technique allows for the creation of distinct, multi-colored motifs without carrying yarn across the back of the work. The pattern is worked entirely in stockinette stitch, beginning with a knit row, which provides a smooth, refined fabric base that showcases the colorwork design.

The scarf features a garter stitch border at both the top and bottom—four rows worked in garter stitch using the smaller needles before transitioning to the main pattern, and again after completing the colorwork section. This creates a finished, structured edge.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st): The primary stitch throughout the main body of the scarf, creating the smooth canvas for the intarsia colorwork
• Garter Stitch (g st): Used for the border sections at the beginning and end of the scarf for a textured, finished edge

Materials Required

Yarn: Rowan Felted Tweed in seven colors totaling 16 x 50-gram balls:

• Electric Green (A) - 2 x 50gm
• Turquoise (B) - 2 x 50gm
• Lotus Leaf (C) - 2 x 50gm
• Iris (D) - 2 x 50gm
• Seafarer (E) - 3 x 50gm
• Peony (F) - 3 x 50gm
• Seasalter (G) - 2 x 50gm

Needles: The pattern requires two pairs of needles—3¼mm (US size 3) needles for the garter stitch borders and 4mm (US size 6) needles for the main stockinette stitch body and intarsia colorwork sections.

Gauge and Pattern Details

The pattern is worked to a tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10 centimeters when measured in stockinette stitch using the 4mm needles. The scarf begins with 120 cast-on stitches. The intarsia pattern is charted and worked over 132 rows, which are repeated four times to achieve the full length of the finished scarf.

This downloadable PDF pattern (reference ZB245-00002 v.1) is published by Rowan and includes full charting for the colorwork design, making it accessible for knitters seeking to create a sophisticated, multi-colored scarf using classic intarsia techniques.