purlJam

# FLOWER JACQUARD SCARF

A charming beginner-friendly scarf featuring a delicate flower jacquard design in Fair Isle colourwork. This project introduces simple two-colour stranded knitting with an easy-to-follow floral motif that repeats throughout the scarf. Perfect for learning colourwork techniques while creating a beautiful, wearable accessory.

## MATERIALS

- **Main Colour (MC):** 250m (275 yards) worsted weight yarn in Cream or Light Grey
- **Contrast Colour 1 (CC1):** 100m (110 yards) worsted weight yarn in Rose Pink or Dusty Rose
- **Contrast Colour 2 (CC2):** 50m (55 yards) worsted weight yarn in Sage Green or Forest Green

**Suggested Yarn:** Any worsted weight (10 ply/Aran) wool or wool blend yarn that achieves the correct tension

**Needles:** 5.0mm (UK 6, US 8) straight or circular needles

**Notions:**
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional, for marking pattern repeats)

## GAUGE

**18 stitches and 24 rows = 10cm (4") in stocking stitch with 5.0mm needles**

**TENSION NOTE:** Tension is critical for this pattern. Take time to knit a tension swatch in both solid colour stocking stitch AND the jacquard pattern, as colourwork typically pulls in slightly. If your tension is too loose, use smaller needles; if too tight, use larger needles.

## FINISHED SIZE

**Width:** 20cm (8") wide  
**Length:** 152cm (60") long

This is a standard adult scarf size suitable for all genders.

## ABBREVIATIONS

- **k** = knit
- **p** = purl
- **MC** = Main Colour
- **CC1** = Contrast Colour 1 (Rose)
- **CC2** = Contrast Colour 2 (Green)
- **RS** = Right Side
- **WS** = Wrong Side
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **rep** = repeat
- **beg** = beginning
- **cont** = continue

## PATTERN

### NOTES BEFORE YOU BEGIN

**Reading Charts:** Charts are read from bottom to top. On RS (odd-numbered) rows, read from right to left. On WS (even-numbered) rows, read from left to right.

**Stranding Technique:** When working with two colours in a row, carry the unused colour loosely across the wrong side of the work. Do not pull the "floats" (carried strands) too tightly, or the fabric will pucker. Spread stitches out on the right needle before catching the carried colour. Maximum float length in this pattern is 5 stitches.

**Colour Management:** To avoid tangling, hold MC in your right hand and CC in your left hand (or vice versa, whichever feels comfortable). Keep yarns consistent throughout.

### SCARF BODY

**Cast On:** Using MC and 5.0mm needles, cast on 36 sts using the long-tail cast-on method.

**Border:**
- Rows 1-6: Knit all stitches (garter stitch border in MC).

**Set Up for Colourwork:**
- Row 7 (RS): Using MC, knit all sts.
- Row 8 (WS): Using MC, purl all sts.

**Begin Flower Jacquard Pattern:**

Work Chart A (Flower Motif) as follows:
- Row 9 (RS): K3 MC (edge sts), work 10-st repeat from Chart A three times across, k3 MC (edge sts).
- Row 10 (WS): P3 MC, work Chart A three times, p3 MC.

Continue working Chart A from Rows 1-16, maintaining 3-st MC borders on each edge.

**After completing Chart A once:**
- Work Rows 17-20 in MC only (stocking stitch): Knit RS rows, purl WS rows.

**Repeat Pattern Section:**
- Rep Chart A (Rows 1-16)
- Work 4 rows MC in stocking stitch
- Rep this sequence (20 rows total per repeat) until scarf measures approximately 148cm (58") from cast-on edge, ending after a complete chart repeat.

**Final Border:**
- Next Row (RS): Using MC, knit all sts.
- Following Row (WS): Using MC, knit all sts.
- Continue in garter stitch (knit every row) for 4 more rows (6 rows total).

**Cast Off:** Using MC, cast off all stitches loosely knitwise.

### PATTERN REPEAT SUMMARY

Your scarf will have approximately 18-19 flower motif repeats along its length. The exact number may vary slightly based on your personal tension.

## CHARTS

### CHART A: FLOWER MOTIF (10 sts × 16 rows)

```
Row 16: □□■■■■■■□□
Row 15: □■■■■■■■■□
Row 14: ■■■●●●●■■■
Row 13: ■■●●●●●●■■
Row 12: ■■●●●●●●■■
Row 11: ■■●●●●●●■■
Row 10: ■■■●●●●■■■
Row 9:  □■■■●●■■■□
Row 8:  □□■■■■■■□□
Row 7:  □□□■■■■□□□
Row 6:  □□□□■■□□□□
Row 5:  □□□□▼▼□□□□
Row 4:  □□□□▼▼□□□□
Row 3:  □□□▼▼▼▼□□□
Row 2:  □□□▼▼▼▼□□□
Row 1:  □□□□▼▼□□□□
```

**CHART KEY:**
- □ = MC (Main Colour - Cream/Light Grey)
- ■ = CC1 (Contrast Colour 1 - Rose Pink)
- ● = CC2 (Contrast Colour 2 - Sage Green) - flower centre
- ▼ = CC2 (Contrast Colour 2 - Sage Green) - stem/leaves

### CHART INSTRUCTIONS

**Pattern Repeat:** The 10-stitch pattern repeats 3 times across the width of the scarf (30 sts), with 3 edge stitches on each side worked in MC (total 36 sts).

**Reading the Chart:**
- **RS rows (odd numbers):** Read chart from right to left, knit all stitches
- **WS rows (even numbers):** Read chart from left to right, purl all stitches
- Start at Row 1 (bottom of chart) and work upward to Row 16
- Each square represents one stitch

**Working the Pattern:**
- Always keep 3 sts at beginning and end of each row in MC for neat edges
- When changing colours, twist yarns on WS to prevent holes
- Catch floats every 3-4 stitches if needed to prevent snagging

## FINISHING

1. **Weave in Ends:** Using a tapestry needle, weave in all yarn tails along the WS of the scarf, following the colour paths for invisible finishing. For colourwork sections, weave ends through same-colour stitches on the WS. Trim excess yarn.

2. **Blocking (Essential for Colourwork):**
   - Fill a basin with lukewarm water and a small amount of wool wash
   - Submerge the scarf and gently squeeze (do not agitate) to saturate completely
   - Soak for 15-20 minutes
   - Lift out carefully and squeeze (don't wring) to remove excess water
   - Roll in a clean towel and press to remove more moisture
   - Lay flat on blocking mats or clean towels on a flat surface
   - Gently stretch to finished measurements (20cm × 152cm)
   - Pin edges straight if needed, ensuring flower motifs are evenly spaced
   - Allow to dry completely (24-48 hours) away from direct heat or sunlight

3. **Steam Blocking Alternative:**
   - Pin scarf to finished measurements on a blocking board
   - Hold a steam iron 2-3cm above the surface (do not touch the fabric)
   - Steam evenly across the entire scarf
   - Allow to cool and dry completely before unpinning

4. **Optional Fringe (if desired):**
   - Cut 72 strands of MC, each 30cm (12") long
   - Using 3 strands together, fold in half
   - Insert crochet hook through edge stitch, catch folded loop, pull through
   - Pass yarn ends through loop and pull tight
   - Attach 6 fringe bundles evenly spaced across each short end
   - Trim fringe evenly to desired length (approximately 12-13cm)

### CARE INSTRUCTIONS

Hand wash in cool water with wool-safe detergent. Lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry. Store folded (not hung) to maintain shape.

### DESIGN NOTES

This scarf introduces Fair Isle technique with a simple two-colour-per-row maximum, making it ideal for beginners to colourwork. The flower motif is symmetrical and easy to memorize after the first few repeats. The solid MC sections between flower patterns provide visual rest and make the project less intensive while adding length quickly.

The garter stitch borders at each end prevent curling and provide a professional finish. Edge stitches worked in MC throughout create clean, stable selvedges that frame the colourwork beautifully.

**Skill Building:** This pattern teaches colour management, float control, chart reading, and blocking—all essential skills for more advanced colourwork projects.

Enjoy your flower jacquard scarf!