Rowan Windy Scarf Knitting Pattern

Rowan Windy Scarf by Martin Storey

What is Being Made

The Rowan Windy Scarf is an intermediate-level knitted accessory designed by Martin Storey. This scarf measures 16 cm (6½ inches) wide and 250 cm (98½ inches) long, making it a substantial, versatile piece suitable for everyday wear. The finished dimensions provide excellent coverage and drape for a classic scarf silhouette.

Yarn Materials

This pattern uses Rowan Pure Wool Superwash Worsted, a durable and easy-care yarn blend. The scarf requires two colorways worked in combination:

• Yarn A: Moonstone 112 – 3 x 100gm (300 grams total)
• Yarn B: Granite 111 – 2 x 100gm (200 grams total)

The two-color yarn work creates visual interest and allows for the complex stitch patterns to be displayed prominently throughout the design.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for one pair of 4½mm needles (US size 7), along with a cable needle. The cable needle is essential for executing the cable stitches that form a key design element of this scarf.

Tension and Gauge

Proper gauge is critical for achieving the correct finished dimensions. The pattern specifies 30 stitches and 48 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) when measured over the stitch pattern using 4½mm (US 7) needles. Knitters should swatch before beginning to ensure their tension matches this specification.

Knitting Techniques and Stitches

The Rowan Windy Scarf employs several intermediate-level knitting techniques that create its distinctive textured appearance:

Cable Stitches

Cable stitches form the structural foundation of this design. The pattern uses two primary cable variations:

• C7B (Cable 7 Back): Slip the next 4 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit 3 stitches from the left needle, then knit the 4 stitches from the cable needle. This creates a cable that twists to the right.
• C7F (Cable 7 Front): Slip the next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the work, knit 4 stitches from the left needle, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle. This creates a cable that twists to the left.

Crossed Stitches

Crossed stitches add additional texture and visual complexity to the pattern:

• Cr4L (Cross 4 Left): Slip 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the work, knit 1 stitch from the left needle, then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle. This creates a leftward-leaning cross.
• Cr4R (Cross 4 Right): Slip 1 stitch onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, knit 3 stitches from the left needle, then knit the 1 stitch from the cable needle. This creates a rightward-leaning cross.

Slip Stitch Colorwork

The pattern incorporates slip stitches worked with yarn held on specific sides to create subtle color effects and texture. Sl 3 wyab means slip 3 stitches with yarn held at the back of the work, while sl 3 wyaf means slip 3 stitches with yarn held at the front of the work. This technique allows the two yarn colors to interact visually without requiring complex colorwork techniques.

Basic Stitches

The pattern combines cable and crossed stitches with fundamental knitting techniques including knit stitches (K), purl stitches (P), and slip stitches (sl). The interplay between knit, purl, and slipped stitches creates dimensional texture that showcases the yarn colors effectively.

Pattern Structure

The scarf is worked in a repeating pattern sequence that spans multiple rows. The pattern alternates between rows worked in Yarn A and Yarn B, with cable twists, crossed stitches, and slip stitch color