Willow & Lark Odette Scarf Knitting Pattern

Willow & Lark Odette Scarf: Stranded Fairisle Knit Scarf

What Is Being Made

The Odette Scarf is a long-way stranded fairisle scarf designed by Ann Kingstone for the Best of British Collection. This is a luxurious accessory measuring 27 cm (10½ inches) in width and 195 cm (76¾ inches) in depth, making it an elegant and substantial piece. The design draws inspiration from the climbing ivy adorning the stone houses of Yorkshire, featuring a charted fairisle pattern with a jewel-like colour scheme of luminous golds and shiny reds that evoke the natural beauty of British architecture.

Techniques Used

This scarf employs stranded fairisle knitting, an advanced colour-work technique where multiple yarn colours are carried across the row and floated behind the stitches to create the patterned design. The scarf is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which is the traditional method for this type of fairisle work. The pattern is charted, requiring the knitter to follow a detailed chart while managing multiple colours simultaneously. This advanced technique demands careful tension control and colour management to achieve the intended visual effect and ensure the floats remain elastic and even throughout the piece.

Stitches Used

The Odette Scarf is constructed using fundamental knitting stitches worked in combination:

• Knit stitch (K) – the primary stitch forming the fabric structure
• Purl stitch (P) – used as needed in the pattern construction
• Stocking stitch – the base fabric over which tension is measured (23 stitches and 32 rows to 10 cm)

The charted fairisle pattern integrates these basic stitches across multiple colours to create the intricate design.

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern is designed specifically for Willow & Lark Ramble, a 100% wool yarn in DK weight (50g, 1¾oz per ball). The design uses four colours in the suggested colourway: Stained Glass Blue 123 as the main colour (2 balls), Straw 114 as colour A (2 balls), Oxblood 110 as colour B (1 ball), and Antique Brown 106 as colour C (5 balls). An alternative colourway is provided featuring Army Green 116 (MC), Truffle 107 (A), Sea Green 118 (B), and Raspberry 128 (C) in the same quantities. The pattern notes that yarn quantities are approximate and based on average requirements.

Needles and Tools: The pattern requires one pair of 4.00mm (UK 8, US 6) straight knitting needles for the main knitting, along with 3.75mm (UK 9, US 5) and 4.00mm (UK 8, US 6) circular knitting needles. Tension is measured over stocking stitch using 3.75mm needles at 23 stitches and 32 rows per 10 cm (4 inches).

Difficulty Level

This is an advanced knitting project suitable for experienced knitters. The stranded fairisle technique requires proficiency in managing multiple colours, maintaining consistent tension across colour changes, and reading and following a detailed charted pattern. The length of the scarf (195 cm) also demands sustained focus and technique throughout an extended project.

Design Notes

The pattern recommends using Willow & Lark Ramble yarn specifically, as the fibre content, weight, twist, and composition will impact the appearance of the finished scarf. The designer emphasizes checking tension before beginning to ensure the finished item matches the intended dimensions and visual effect. The downloadable PDF format allows knitters to access the complete pattern with detailed charts and instructions for this sophisticated fairisle design.