Sanctuary Scarf Knitting Pattern

Sanctuary Scarf by Chloe Thurlow

What is Being Made

The Sanctuary Scarf is a luxurious knitted wrap designed by Chloe Thurlow. This intermediate-level project creates an elegant rectangular wrap measuring 34 cm (13½ inches) wide and 220 cm (86½ inches) long after blocking. The finished piece combines stockinette stitch sections with decorative eyelet weave panels, making it a versatile accessory suitable for layering or wearing as a generous scarf.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its sophisticated appearance:

• Stockinette stitch – The primary fabric structure, creating a smooth, classic knit surface
• Eyelet weave panels – Decorative open-work sections created through strategic yarn-forward and decrease techniques, adding visual interest and texture variation
• Yarn-forward increases – Used to create the eyelet details while maintaining stitch count
• Slip stitch decreases – Employed for shaping the eyelets and maintaining pattern integrity
• Blocking – Essential finishing technique to even out the eyelet panels and achieve the specified finished dimensions

Stitches Used

The Sanctuary Scarf utilizes a carefully structured 8-row repeating pattern that combines fundamental and decorative stitches:

• Knit stitch (K) – Forms the stockinette base and structural elements
• Purl stitch (P) – Creates textural contrast and defines pattern sections
• Yarn forward (yfwd) – Generates eyelet holes while increasing stitch count
• Slip 1, knit 2 together, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K2tog, psso) – A centered double decrease used prominently in the eyelet weave panels
• Knit 2 together (K2tog) – A right-leaning decrease incorporated into the pattern repeats
• Slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over (sl 1, K1, psso) – A left-leaning decrease used in specific pattern rows

Materials and Tools

The Sanctuary Scarf is worked using Rowan Cotton Revive, a natural fiber yarn. The project requires 100 grams of yarn (photographed in the Cherry Blossom 003 colorway). Knitting is executed on one pair of 3¾mm (US 5) needles.

Tension and Gauge

Achieving the correct tension is important for this project. The pattern is worked to a gauge of 25 stitches and 34 rows to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using 3¾mm (US 5) needles. The pattern notes that eyelet weave panels may spread during knitting but can be blocked to the finished dimensions after completion, making blocking a crucial finishing step.

Pattern Structure

The wrap begins with a 5 cm stockinette stitch edge worked in knit and purl, establishing clean selvages. The main body follows an 8-row repeating pattern that alternates between stockinette sections and eyelet weave panels. This pattern repeat continues for approximately 215 centimeters, after which another 5 cm stockinette edge completes the piece before casting off. The symmetrical design and repeating pattern make this an engaging intermediate project that develops proficiency with both basic stitches and decorative techniques.