Tumbler Scarf Knitting Pattern

Tumbler in Rowan Pebble Island

What is Being Made

This is a knitted scarf designed by Martin Storey using the Rowan Pebble Island yarn collection. The finished scarf measures 20 cm (7¾ inches) wide and 215 cm (86¾ inches) long, excluding the rolled ends. The design features a sophisticated striped pattern created through strategic color changes and varying stripe widths throughout the piece.

Techniques Used

The Tumbler scarf is worked in the round using circular knitting with double-pointed needles, which creates a seamless tubular fabric. The pattern employs a systematic approach to color work, transitioning between narrow and wide stripes at specific intervals. The knitter will work in stockinette stitch throughout, maintaining consistent tension to achieve the correct finished dimensions. The pattern includes strategic needle size changes from 4mm (US 6) to 4½mm (US 7) needles to accommodate different sections of the design. The cast-on edge and final rounds are intentionally allowed to roll to the right side, creating a decorative finished effect.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (st st): Knit every round to create a smooth, flat fabric that forms the foundation of the entire scarf
• Cast-on: 80 stitches distributed evenly across four of five double-pointed needles
• Cast-off: Standard cast-off technique at the completion of the scarf

Stripe Pattern Structure

The scarf features two distinct stripe categories. The narrow stripes section consists of 14 rounds in one color alternating with 14 rounds in another color, with this 28-round sequence repeated 10 times to create 21 narrow stripes total. The wide stripes section uses 28 rounds of one color alternating with 28 rounds of another color, with this 56-round sequence repeated 5 times to create 11 wide stripes total.

Materials

The pattern calls for Rowan Pebble Island yarn in four colorways: Undyed 030 (3 balls), Elephant 022 (3 balls), Teaberry 024 (3 balls), and Tussac 023 (2 balls). Each ball contains 50 grams of yarn. Needles required include a set of 5 double-pointed 4mm (US 6) needles and a set of 5 double-pointed 4½mm (US 7) needles. The recommended tension is 20 stitches and 28 rounds to 10 centimeters measured over stockinette stitch using the 4½mm (US 7) needles.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, suitable for knitters with experience in circular knitting techniques and color changes. The skill required involves managing multiple yarn colors, maintaining even tension across different needle sizes, and working comfortably with double-pointed needles.