Rowan Dover Scarf Knitting Pattern

Rowan Dover Scarf by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Dover Scarf is a long, rectangular knitted accessory measuring 38 cm (15 inches) wide and 207.5 cm (81¾ inches) long. This elegant scarf is designed to be a versatile layering piece, photographed in Rowan Denim Revive yarn in the Bluewash colorway. The scarf combines textural elements with a sophisticated cable pattern, making it suitable for both casual and refined styling.

Techniques Used

This scarf is worked using several key knitting techniques:

• Bottom-up construction: The scarf is knitted from the cast-on edge upward in a continuous piece
• Seamless, flat knitting: The entire scarf is worked flat on straight needles without seaming, creating a clean, finished appearance
• Cable work: The pattern incorporates cable stitches that create dimensional, twisted texture throughout the design. Cables are crossed at regular intervals to establish the pattern repeat
• Ribbed edging: Both the cast-on and cast-off edges feature ribbed sections that provide elasticity and a polished finish

Stitches Used

The Dover Scarf employs a combination of fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Knit stitch (K): Forms the base structure and appears throughout the pattern
• Purl stitch (P): Creates contrast and texture, particularly in the ribbed sections and between cable motifs
• Cable stitches: Two primary cable crosses are used—C8B (cable 8 back) and C8F (cable 8 front). These stitches involve slipping 4 stitches onto a cable needle, knitting the next 4 stitches, then knitting the 4 stitches from the cable needle. This technique creates the distinctive twisted rope-like texture
• Ribbing: A K2, P2 rib pattern is used for the cast-on edge and final rows, providing stretch and definition
• Increases and decreases: Purled increases and knit-together decreases are used strategically to adjust stitch counts between pattern sections

Pattern Structure

The scarf follows a 24-row pattern repeat that is worked 26 times to achieve the final length. The pattern alternates between cable crossing rows and stockinette sections, with knit and purl stitches creating visual interest. The main pattern features 8-stitch cables separated by purl columns and stockinette panels, creating a balanced, symmetrical design across the 80-stitch width.

Materials

The Rowan Dover Scarf requires specific materials to achieve the correct gauge and finished dimensions:

• Yarn: 11 x 50-gram balls of Rowan Denim Revive (the sample shown uses Bluewash 211)
• Needles: One pair of 3¼mm (US 3) needles for the ribbed cast-on edge and final rows, and one pair of 3¾mm (US 5) needles for the main pattern work
• Cable needle: Required for executing the cable crosses throughout the pattern

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern is designed to achieve a gauge of 21 stitches and 31 rows over 10 centimeters when measured over the cable pattern using 3¾mm (US 5) needles. Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished dimensions. The scarf requires pressing and finishing according to the pattern instructions to achieve a professional appearance.