Fallout Hooded Scarf — Knitting Pattern

A rugged, post-apocalyptic inspired hooded scarf with bold cables and dense seed-stitch panels. Works in worsted/aran weight for structure and warmth. Written for knitters of intermediate level; cables use a 6-st cable repeat and optional removable lining is described.

Sizing (Finished)

• S (M, L, XL, XXL) — Hooded scarf length from neck: 24 (26, 28, 30, 32) in / 61 (66, 71, 76, 81) cm. Scarf width (flat): 9 (10, 11, 12, 13) in / 23 (25.5, 28, 30.5, 33) cm. Hood depth: 11 (11.5, 12, 12.5, 13) in / 28 (29, 30.5, 31.5, 33) cm.

Materials

• Yarn: Worsted/Aran weight (Category 4). Approximate amount: S 10 oz (280 g) / 600 yd (550 m); M 12 oz (340 g) / 720 yd (660 m); L 14 oz (400 g) / 840 yd (770 m); XL 16 oz (450 g) / 960 yd (880 m); XXL 18 oz (510 g) / 1080 yd (990 m). Example: 225 yd (206 m) per 8 oz / 225 g skein: you’ll need 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) skeins depending on yardage per skein. (Imperial and Metric provided.)
• Needles: US 8 / UK 6 (old) / 5.0 mm circular needle, 24”/60 cm for body. US 8 / UK 6 (old) / 5.0 mm circular or double points for hood shaping. Cable needle of similar size.
• Notions: tapestry needle, stitch markers (2), removable stitch marker or scrap yarn, measuring tape, optional heavier worsted yarn for lining and a yarn needle for sewing.
• Gauge: 18 sts × 24 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in seed stitch on 5.0 mm needles after blocking. Cable pattern will pull in slightly; check gauge before beginning.

Abbreviations

• k: knit
• p: purl
• st(s): stitch(es)
• RS: right side
• WS: wrong side
• k2tog: knit 2 together
• p2tog: purl 2 together
• ssk: slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
• yo: yarn over
• C6F: cable 6 front (slip next 3 sts to cable needle and hold to front, k3, then k3 from cable needle)
• C6B: cable 6 back (slip next 3 sts to cable needle and hold to back, k3, then k3 from cable needle)

Pattern Notes

• This is worked flat on circular needles as one long rectangle, then hood stitches are picked up and joined for a three-dimensional hood. The cable panel runs down the center of the scarf on RS; seed stitch side panels frame it. The cable is a reversible 6-st cable that reads well on both sides.
• You may add a fleece lining for extra warmth: cut fleece to hood shape and hand-sew inside before finishing edges.

Stitch Pattern

Seed Stitch (multiple of 2): Row 1 (RS): *k1, p1* repeat to end. Row 2 (WS): *p1, k1* repeat to end.

Cable Panel (6-st cable, 6-row repeat):

1. Row 1 (RS): k3, p6, k3
2. Row 2 (WS): k3, k6, k3
3. Row 3: k3, p6, k3
4. Row 4: k3, k6, k3
5. Row 5 (Cable Row): C6B (or C6F for a mirrored look), center panel p6, C6F
6. Row 6: repeat Row 2

Note: In the written instructions below the cable panel is treated as 12 sts (two 6-st cables separated by a p6 center), but you may position the cable as one 12-st braided motif; the repeat above provides a balanced surface.

Cast On & Edge Setup

Cast on 42 (46, 50, 54, 58) sts using a stretchy cast-on. The layout across the row:

Edge (3 sts seed) - Side panel (9, 11, 12, 13, 14 sts seed) - Cable area (12 sts cable) - Side panel symmetrical - Edge (3 sts seed)

Specifically for S (example): Cast on 42 sts: k3 seed (edge), work 9 sts seed panel, work 12 sts cable panel, work 9 sts seed panel, k3 seed (edge).

Body (Scarf) Instructions

Work Rows 1–6 of Cable Panel and Seed Stitch as established until piece measures 20 (22, 24, 26, 28) in / 51 (56, 61, 66, 71) cm from cast-on, ending with a WS row. Keep edge 3 sts in seed-stitch at all times; keep side panels in seed-stitch pattern; maintain cable chart in center. Place markers between sections to keep counts accurate.

Hood Shaping

When body length reached, you will shape the hood by dividing the work. On a RS row: work across first 21 (23, 25, 27, 29) sts (left half), place remaining sts on hold for scarf tail; continue working the hood by joining yarn at the center edge to pick up sts along the held tail later.

Hood Row Setup (working flat): Row 1 (RS): work seed-edge; work side panel in seed to cable; work cable across its 12 sts as established; work second side panel and 3-st edge. Row 2 (WS): as row 2 pattern. Continue in established pattern for hood, decreasing to shape crown:

• Decrease row (RS): work to 3 sts before center of cable panel, k2tog, k1, slip marker, k1, ssk, work remaining as established. Repeat every 8th row 6 (7, 7, 8, 9) times to taper crown, or until hood depth measures 10 (10.5, 11, 11.5, 12) in / 25.5 (26.5, 28, 29, 30.5) cm from pick-up point.
• When hood crown is shaped, bind off remaining stitches loosely. Mirror shaping for the opposite side if you worked only half; if you left an entire long piece on needles you may join center back by grafting or three-needle bind-off. For a simple finish, fold crown and mattress-stitch the top seam from RS.

Scarf Tail & Edging

Pick up the held stitches for the scarf tail and work seed-stitch for the remaining length (complete to the full finished length given above). End by working 6 rows of seed stitch for a neat border, bind off loosely in pattern.

Optional Lining

Cut fleece to hood shape using the hood as template, leaving 1” / 2.5 cm seam allowance. Hand-stitch lining inside with ladder stitch, catching only the linen-backed stitches so the exterior seed stitch remains uninterrupted. Alternatively, knit a lining using 4.5 mm needles to match gauge and seam in.

Finishing

1. Weave in all ends. Block gently to open cables and relax seed stitch; avoid overstretching to retain warmth.
2. Mattress-stitch any hood seams, or use three-needle bind-off at center back for a stronger seam.
3. Add optional embellishments: magnetic snap closure at throat, toggles, or a simple leather patch sewn to one end with an embroidered radiation-symbol motif for the Fallout aesthetic.

Notes & Troubleshooting

• If cables look too tight, go up one needle size and re-check gauge.
• For a chunkier, more rugged look, use a bulky weight yarn and increase needle size; recalculate gauge and yardage.
• To make the hood detachable, pick up hood sts with scrap yarn, work hood main, then seam to scarf with buttons or snaps so it can be removed for washing.

Care

Hand wash cold and lay flat to dry. If using superwash yarn, you may machine wash gentle inside a laundry bag, but avoid tumble drying.

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