Valley Yarns Cupressus Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Cupressus Knit Scarf

What Is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Cupressus is a textured knit scarf designed by Susan Baron. This finished piece measures 10½ inches wide by 66 inches long, making it a versatile accessory suitable for both men and women. The scarf showcases a beautiful diamond pattern at its center, framed by diagonal side borders, with garter stitch edging at both the beginning and end of the piece.

Techniques Used

This scarf is worked using a bottom-up, seamless, flat knitting construction method. The design begins with a Long-Tail cast-on, which creates a professional and elastic foundation edge ideal for scarves. The scarf is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, making it accessible for knitters of all experience levels. The pattern is strategically framed with garter stitch borders that provide stability and visual interest while allowing the central diamond pattern to be the focal point. Stitch markers are used throughout to help track the repeating pattern sections, with a locking stitch marker recommended to identify the right side of the fabric.

Stitches Used

The Cupressus scarf employs only knit and purl stitches, making it an excellent beginner-friendly project despite its sophisticated appearance. The pattern features an 8-row Diamond Pattern that repeats across the width of the scarf. The diamond motif is created through strategic placement of knit and purl stitches in a multiple of 8 stitches plus 13 stitches, which allows the pattern to repeat cleanly across the 53 cast-on stitches. The garter stitch edging—created by knitting every row—frames the top and bottom of the scarf with 14 rows on each end, providing a finished, polished appearance.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern requires 5 balls of Valley Yarns Ashfield yarn in the color 13-Lilac. The Ashfield yarn is composed of 67% Fine Merino Wool and 33% Bamboo Viscose, offering a blend of warmth, breathability, and luxurious drape. Each ball contains 50 grams and yields 117 yards, providing ample yardage for the full 66-inch length. The project calls for US size 7 (4.5mm) needles, or whatever size is necessary to achieve the specified gauge of 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches in the Diamond pattern when blocked. Additional materials include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and stitch markers, including one locking stitch marker to identify the right side of the work.

Difficulty Level

The Valley Yarns Cupressus is rated as a beginner-level project, making it ideal for knitters who are new to the craft or those seeking an accessible yet visually impressive piece. Despite the beautiful textured appearance, the pattern requires only fundamental knitting skills: casting on, knitting, purling, and binding off. The use of stitch markers simplifies pattern tracking, and the straightforward 8-row repeat becomes intuitive quickly. This design philosophy—letting a beautiful yarn be the star while maintaining beginner accessibility—makes it perfect for crafters who want to create a special, polished accessory without advanced technical demands.