Valley Yarns Snowbird Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Snowbird Knitted Scarf

What is Being Made

The Snowbird is a long, angled knitted scarf designed by Julie Turjoman. This accessory features a distinctive triangular shape with finished measurements of approximately 17 inches wide by 91 inches long at the longest edge, making it an ideal quick holiday gift or everyday winter accessory.

Knitting Techniques Used

This beginner-friendly scarf employs two primary knitting techniques to create visual interest and expedite the knitting process. The pattern incorporates slip-stitch colorwork, a straightforward method for adding color patterns without managing multiple yarn strands simultaneously. This technique is paired with garter stitch, one of the most fundamental knitting stitches, which creates a textured, reversible fabric that lies flat and is ideal for scarves.

The scarf is worked flat in a single piece, meaning you knit back and forth in rows rather than in the round. The construction begins with a slip-stitch colorwork border, followed by strategic decreases that create the angled, tapered shape characteristic of this design.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

• Garter Stitch: The primary stitch throughout most of the scarf, created by knitting every row. This produces a classic, bumpy texture with excellent stitch definition.
• Tweed Stitch: A secondary stitch pattern used in the colorwork sections, worked at a gauge of 16 stitches and 20 rows per 4 inches.
• Slip-Stitch Colorwork: A two-color technique that creates pattern without the complexity of traditional stranded colorwork, using slipped stitches to carry yarn colors.
• Decrease Stitches: The pattern uses K2tog (knit 2 together) and ssk (slip, slip, knit) decreases to shape the angled edges, with decreases occurring every 12 rows to gradually taper the scarf width.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

This pattern calls for Valley Yarns Northampton, a 100% wool yarn available in two colors for this project. Color A requires 1 skein in Red (color 17), while Color B requires 3 skeins in Dark Gray (color 06). Each skein contains 100 grams and yields 247 yards, providing ample yardage for the complete scarf.

The yarn's composition and weight are specifically chosen to showcase the colorwork pattern. Valley Yarns Northampton is noted for its classic stitch definition, which effectively highlights the slip-stitch colorwork details throughout the design.

Needles and Additional Materials

Construction requires US 8 (5mm) circular needles in a 32 to 40-inch length, or whatever size is necessary to achieve the specified gauge. The circular needle format accommodates the scarf's width while allowing flat knitting in rows.

Additional materials include stitch markers for tracking pattern sections, a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, and an optional pom-pom making tool for embellishing the finished scarf.

Gauge and Sizing

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this pattern. The garter stitch gauge is 16 stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches when blocked with US 8 needles. The pattern is offered in one size only, with the finished scarf measuring approximately 17 inches wide by 91 inches long at its longest edge. The angled construction means the width tapers gradually from the cast-on edge to the bind-off edge.

Pattern Construction Overview

The Snowbird begins with a set-up row followed by the slip-stitch colorwork border section. After establishing the colorwork, the pattern transitions into a series of decreases worked every 12 rows, which gradually reduce the stitch count and create the characteristic angled shape. The scarf continues with even knitting until it reaches approximately 14.5 inches from the cast-on edge, finishing with a right-side row before binding off all stitches.