Valley Yarns Twig Scarf Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Twig Scarf

What Is Being Made

The Twig Scarf is a knitted accessory designed by Kirsten Hipsky that combines lacey and substantial textures in a single piece. The finished scarf measures 8 inches wide and 60 inches long, making it a versatile length suitable for various styling options. This design creates an elegant drape through the strategic use of elongated stitches and yarn-over techniques that produce an open, airy fabric while maintaining structural integrity.

Knitting Techniques Used

The Twig Scarf employs several intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its distinctive appearance:

• Yarn overs: Used to create openings in the fabric that contribute to the lacy quality of the design
• Elongated stitches: Created by dropping yarn overs in subsequent rows to extend individual stitches vertically, forming the "twig" effect
• Stitch crossing: A complex manipulation technique where six elongated stitches are repositioned by passing stitches 4, 5, and 6 over stitches 1, 2, and 3, then knitting them in the new crossed order (4, 5, 6, 1, 2, 3)
• Seamless, flat construction: The scarf is worked flat on straight needles without seaming, allowing for continuous pattern development

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The pattern is built primarily on garter stitch, which provides a stable foundation and creates the bouncy texture characteristic of the finished piece. The core pattern repeats over 20 rows and includes:

• Garter stitch rows: Knit every row to create texture and stability
• Yarn-over sequences: Single and double yarn overs worked in specific rows to create elongated stitches
• Drop-stitch rows: Rows where yarn overs from the previous row are intentionally dropped to extend stitches
• Slip-stitch and cross manipulation: Advanced stitch repositioning that creates the distinctive twig-like visual pattern

The 20-row repeat (Rows 4-23) is worked consecutively until the scarf reaches the desired 60-inch length, then all stitches are bound off.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Twig Scarf pattern calls for Valley Yarns Brimfield, a luxury yarn blend composed of 70% Extrafine Merino Wool and 30% Silk. This fiber combination provides both softness and a subtle sheen while offering excellent drape. The pattern requires four 50-gram skeins, each containing 109 yards, for a total of approximately 436 yards of yarn. The recommended color is Eggplant, a deep purple shade that showcases the lacey stitch definition beautifully.

Knitting needles in US size 8 are specified, though the pattern notes that needle size may be adjusted as needed to achieve proper gauge. The target gauge is approximately 4 stitches per 1 inch when worked in garter stitch, which helps ensure the scarf reaches its intended finished dimensions of 8 inches wide by 60 inches long.

Difficulty Level

While classified as a beginner project, the Twig Scarf incorporates techniques that bridge beginner and intermediate skill levels. Knitters new to the craft should be comfortable with basic cast-on and bind-off methods, as well as fundamental knit stitches and yarn overs. The most challenging element is the stitch-crossing manipulation in Row 13, which requires careful attention to stitch repositioning but becomes rhythmic with practice as the pattern repeats.