Rowan Manua Scarf Wrap Knitting Pattern

Rowan Manua Scarf by Lisa Richardson

What is Being Made

The Rowan Manua Scarf is a long, elegant knitted wrap designed by Lisa Richardson. This seamless, flat-worked scarf measures approximately 21 cm (8¼ inches) wide and 216 cm (85 inches) long, making it a generous accessory suitable for draping and styling. The scarf features a structured construction with distinct sections that create visual interest and texture throughout its length.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques to create its finished design:

• Bottom-up construction: The scarf is worked from one end to the other in a continuous, seamless manner without requiring seaming
• Worked flat: The piece is created on straight needles rather than in the round, allowing for easy stitch manipulation and pattern work
• Increases and decreases: Strategic use of make-one (M1) increases and knit-two-together (K2tog) decreases shape the scarf sections and create shaping transitions
• Needle sizing changes: The pattern alternates between two needle sizes to create textural variation and control the fabric's drape

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The Rowan Manua Scarf combines several essential stitches to achieve its design:

• Garter stitch (g st): Used for the beginning and ending sections, garter stitch creates a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges. This stitch is worked by knitting every row, producing a dense, stable edge treatment
• Patterned section: The central portion features an 8-row repeat pattern combining knit and purl stitches in a specific sequence. Row 1 and Row 3 use a K1, P1 ribbing pattern (worked on the wrong side), while Row 2 and Row 5 reverse this to P1, K1 (worked on the right side). Rows 4, 6, and 8 introduce purl rows that break up the ribbing and add textural complexity
• Shaping rows: Increase rows (K5, M1, K9, M1 sequence) and decrease rows (K2tog decreases) are strategically placed to transition between sections

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Rowan Manua Scarf is crafted using Rowan Island Blend Fine yarn, with the scarf photographed in the colorway Lagoon 109. The pattern requires 5 x 50gm balls of yarn, providing ample yardage for the full 216 cm length.

Two pairs of needles are required to complete this project, allowing for the needle-size transitions that create the scarf's textural variation:

• 3mm (US 2/3) needles (no 11): Used for the garter stitch sections at the beginning and end of the scarf, as well as for the cast-on and cast-off edges
• 3¼mm (US 3) needles (no 10): Used for the patterned central sections where the ribbed and purl-based stitch pattern is worked

The pattern specifies a tension of 29 stitches and 42 rows to 10 cm when measured over the patterned section using the 3¼mm (US 3) needles. Achieving this tension is important for obtaining the correct finished dimensions.

Pattern Structure and Progression

The Rowan Manua Scarf follows a repeating structural sequence that creates visual rhythm. The pattern begins with 55 cast-on stitches worked in garter stitch for 36 rows. An increase row then brings the stitch count to 61 stitches, after which the 8-row patterned repeat is worked for 27 rows. A decrease row returns the stitch count to 55 stitches, and garter stitch is resumed. This complete sequence—from garter stitch through patterned section and back to garter stitch—is repeated multiple times until the scarf reaches approximately 200 cm in length. A final repeat of the pattern sequence concludes the design, followed by a 34-row garter stitch finish and cast-off.