Kung Fu Black Belt Scarf

A sleek, intermediate rectangular scarf inspired by martial-arts discipline and the classic black belt. Worked in worsted-weight yarn with bold red accent stripes and a centred textured motif from the attached stitch chart, it is reversible enough for everyday wear and long enough to wrap securely.

MATERIALS

• Worsted-weight yarn (approx. 100 m / 100 g):
  • Main colour (MC) Black: 250 g
  • Contrast colour (CC) Red: 50 g
• 5 mm knitting needles (or size needed to achieve tension)
• Stitch markers
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors

GAUGE

Tension (gauge): 18 sts and 24 rows = 10 cm measured over stocking stitch on 5 mm needles after blocking. Adjust needle size if necessary to obtain the correct tension.

FINISHED_SIZE

Width: 20 cm (8 in) Length: 150 cm (59 in) (Measurements taken after light blocking.)

ABBREVIATIONS

• k – knit
• p – purl
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side
• MC – main colour
• CC – contrast colour
• sl – slip stitch purlwise
• pm – place marker
• sm – slip marker
• rep – repeat

Attached Stitch Chart

Use the separate attached chart panel supplied with this pattern for the visual grid of the martial-arts motif. The chart appears immediately after the written PATTERN instructions in the pattern package.

How to read the chart (knitting):

• Read RS (odd-numbered) rows from right to left.
• Read WS (even-numbered) rows from left to right.
• Each square represents one stitch; follow the key on the chart for knit, purl and any slipped stitches.
• Work the 24-stitch chart panel once across the centre of the row.
• Colour changes (if indicated on the chart) are handled by stranding loosely on the WS or by intarsia bobbins as preferred; twist yarns at colour junctions to avoid holes.
• Border stitches outside the chart are always worked in MC garter stitch (knit every row) and are not shown on the chart.

Stitch-count integration: Cast on 36 sts = 6 border sts + 24 chart sts + 6 border sts. Markers are placed to isolate the chart panel so the borders remain constant while the chart is worked.

PATTERN

Note: The scarf is worked flat. Slip the first stitch of every row purlwise for a neat edge chain. The charted motif is worked over the centre 24 stitches; side borders are kept in garter stitch throughout.

With MC and 5 mm needles, cast on 36 sts.

Set-up rows (garter borders established): Row 1 (RS): Sl 1, k5, pm, k24, pm, k6. Row 2 (WS): Sl 1, k5, sm, k24, sm, k6. Rep Rows 1–2 once more (4 rows total garter).

Begin chart and main body: Next row (RS): Sl 1, k5, sm, work Row 1 of Attached Stitch Chart across centre 24 sts, sm, k6. Next row (WS): Sl 1, k5, sm, work Row 2 of Attached Stitch Chart across centre 24 sts, sm, k6. Continue as established, working subsequent chart rows between markers and keeping the 6 sts each side in garter stitch (knit every row).

Work until the piece measures approximately 10 cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS chart row.

Red accent stripe 1: Change to CC. Work 6 rows in garter stitch across all 36 sts (knit every row, slipping first st), removing markers on the first CC row and replacing them on the last CC row in the same positions. Change back to MC.

Resume chart pattern between markers as before and continue until scarf measures 70 cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Red accent stripe 2 (centre stripe): Change to CC. Work 8 rows in garter stitch across all 36 sts (knit every row), managing markers as above. Change back to MC.

Resume chart pattern between markers and continue until scarf measures 140 cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Red accent stripe 3: Change to CC. Work 6 rows in garter stitch across all 36 sts. Change back to MC.

Resume chart pattern between markers and work until scarf measures 148 cm from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

Final border: With MC, work 4 rows garter stitch across all sts (removing markers on first row). Cast off knitwise loosely.

(Inline validation: 6 + 24 + 6 = 36 sts maintained throughout ✓; three CC stripes placed symmetrically ✓; total length 150 cm after final border and blocking ✓.)

FINISHING

Weave in all ends securely on the WS using the tapestry needle. Block the scarf gently to measurements: pin to 20 cm wide × 150 cm long, spray lightly with water, and allow to dry flat. This opens the charted texture and evens the edges. Optionally add short fringe in MC or CC to the cast-on and cast-off edges if a more dramatic martial-arts look is desired: cut 20 cm lengths, fold in half, and attach every 2–3 sts with a lark’s-head knot; trim evenly. Steam lightly if needed, avoiding direct iron contact with the yarn.