purlJam

# LENGTHWISE STRIPED SCARF

A cozy, beginner-friendly scarf knitted from end to end in cheerful garter stitch stripes. The lengthwise construction creates a beautiful flow of color across the entire 80" length, and the simple garter stitch means you only need to know one stitch: knit! Finished with playful fringe at both ends.

---

## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: Worsted weight wool yarn
- Color A: 1 skein (100g/165yd) 
- Color B: 1 skein (100g/165yd)
- Color C: 1 skein (100g/165yd)
- Total yardage: approximately 495 yards

**Needles**: US 10 (6.0mm) circular needle, 60" cable length (or longer)
*Note: Circular needle is used to accommodate the large number of stitches; you will be working back and forth in rows, not in the round.*

**Notions**: 
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Scissors
- Crochet hook (size J/6.0mm or similar) for attaching fringe

---

## GAUGE

**15 stitches × 30 rows = 4 inches** in garter stitch (knit every row), after blocking

**IMPORTANT**: For a lengthwise scarf, gauge is critical! Your cast-on edge determines the final length. Take time to knit a gauge swatch:
- Cast on 20 stitches
- Knit every row for 5 inches
- Measure your gauge carefully

If you have MORE than 15 sts per 4": try larger needles
If you have FEWER than 15 sts per 4": try smaller needles OR accept a shorter scarf

**Gauge Math Check**: 
- 15 sts ÷ 4" = 3.75 sts per inch
- 80" × 3.75 = 300 stitches needed ✓

---

## FINISHED SIZE

**80 inches long × 15 inches wide** (plus approximately 6" fringe at each end)

Total length including fringe: approximately 92"

---

## ABBREVIATIONS

- **k** = knit
- **st(s)** = stitch(es)
- **RS** = right side
- **WS** = wrong side
- **MC** = Main Color
- **CC** = Contrast Color

---

## PATTERN

### NOTES BEFORE YOU BEGIN:
1. **Lengthwise Knitting**: You will cast on 300 stitches (the full 80" length) and knit until the piece measures 15" wide. This is different from typical scarf construction but creates beautiful horizontal stripes.

2. **Garter Stitch**: Knit every row. This creates ridges on both sides and a squishy, reversible fabric that won't curl.

3. **Long Cast-On**: Casting on 300 stitches takes time! Use the long-tail cast-on method and allow approximately 10-12 feet of yarn for the tail. Take breaks if needed.

4. **Color Changes**: When changing colors, simply drop the old color and pick up the new color, leaving a 6" tail. You can carry the yarn up the side edge loosely if desired, or cut and rejoin. Tails will be woven in during finishing.

---

### INSTRUCTIONS:

**CAST ON:**
With Color A and long-tail cast-on method, cast on **300 stitches**.

*Stitch count check: 300 sts on needle ✓*

This will take several minutes. Lay your circular needle cable on a table or your lap to manage the stitches comfortably.

---

**STRIPE SECTION 1 (Color A):**
Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches. (300 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Knit all stitches. (300 sts)

Continue knitting every row until piece measures **5 inches** from cast-on edge, ending after a WS row.

*Measurement check: 5" width × 30 rows per 4" = approximately 37-38 rows ✓*

---

**STRIPE SECTION 2 (Color B):**
Cut Color A, leaving a 6" tail, or carry yarn loosely up the side edge.
Join Color B.

Continue in garter stitch (knit every row) until piece measures **10 inches** from cast-on edge (5" of Color B stripes), ending after a WS row.

*Measurement check: 10" total width ✓*
*Stitch count: 300 sts throughout ✓*

---

**STRIPE SECTION 3 (Color C):**
Cut Color B, leaving a 6" tail, or carry yarn loosely up the side edge.
Join Color C.

Continue in garter stitch (knit every row) until piece measures **15 inches** from cast-on edge (5" of Color C stripes), ending after a WS row.

*Final width check: 15" ✓*
*Final stitch count: 300 sts ✓*

---

**BIND OFF:**
With Color C, bind off all stitches loosely using the standard bind-off method.

*Bind-off check: All 300 sts bound off ✓*

**TIP**: Keep your bind-off loose so it matches the stretch of the cast-on edge. If your bind-offs tend to be tight, try using a needle one or two sizes larger for the bind-off row.

---

## CHARTS

### STRIPE SEQUENCE CHART

The following chart shows the color arrangement when viewing the scarf lengthwise:

```
LENGTHWISE VIEW (80" long × 15" wide):

Cast-On Edge                                    Bind-Off Edge
|                                                              |
|←----------------------- 80 inches ------------------------→|

Width:
15" ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
    │                                                          │
    │                   COLOR A (5")                           │
 5" │  (First stripe - garter stitch ridges)                  │
    │                                                          │
    ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
    │                                                          │
10" │                   COLOR B (5")                           │
    │  (Second stripe - garter stitch ridges)                 │
    │                                                          │
    ├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
    │                                                          │
15" │                   COLOR C (5")                           │
    │  (Third stripe - garter stitch ridges)                  │
    │                                                          │
    └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

    ↓ Fringe                                          Fringe ↓
```

### COLOR KEY:
- **Color A**: First color (Rows 1 to approximately row 38)
- **Color B**: Second color (Continues to approximately row 75)
- **Color C**: Third color (Continues to approximately row 113)

**Total Row Count**: Approximately 113 rows of garter stitch
- Math check: 15" × (30 rows/4") = 112.5 rows ✓

---

## FINISHING

### WEAVING IN ENDS:
1. Thread each yarn tail onto a tapestry needle
2. Weave through the "bumps" on the wrong side of the garter stitch for about 3-4 inches
3. Weave back in the opposite direction for 1 inch for security
4. Trim excess yarn close to fabric

**Yarn tails to weave**: 
- Cast-on tail (Color A)
- 2 color change tails (where A meets B, where B meets C) - or 4 tails if you cut yarn
- Bind-off tail (Color C)
- Total: approximately 4-6 ends to weave in ✓

---

### BLOCKING:
1. Fill a basin with cool water and a small amount of wool wash
2. Submerge the scarf and gently press out air bubbles
3. Soak for 15-20 minutes
4. Drain and gently squeeze (do not wring) to remove excess water
5. Roll in a clean towel and press to remove more moisture
6. Lay flat on blocking mats or clean towels
7. Pin to finished dimensions: **80" long × 15" wide**
8. Allow to dry completely (24-48 hours)

**Blocking Notes**: 
- Garter stitch blooms beautifully when blocked
- Your gauge may relax slightly; this is normal
- Measure after blocking to confirm dimensions

---

### ADDING FRINGE:

**Fringe Preparation**:
1. Decide on fringe length: recommend 12-14 inches per strand (will be folded in half to create 6-7 inch finished fringe)
2. Cut yarn strands: For full fringe, cut approximately **60 strands** of each color (180 strands total)
3. Yarn per strand: 12-14 inches × 180 strands = approximately 60-70 yards additional yarn

*Note: If you don't have additional yarn, you can use fewer strands or make shorter fringe.*

**Fringe Attachment** (attach to cast-on and bind-off edges):

1. **Spacing**: Attach one fringe bundle every 5 stitches along the cast-on edge
   - Math: 300 sts ÷ 5 = 60 fringe positions ✓

2. **Color arrangement**: Alternate colors or match the stripe above
   - Suggestion: 20 bundles Color A, 20 bundles Color B, 20 bundles Color C

3. **Attachment method**:
   - Take 3 strands of yarn (14" each), fold in half
   - Insert crochet hook from back to front through edge stitch
   - Catch the folded loop with hook and pull halfway through
   - Draw the 6 yarn ends through the loop
   - Pull gently to tighten
   - Repeat across cast-on edge

4. **Repeat** for bind-off edge

5. **Trim fringe**: Lay scarf flat and trim all fringe to uniform length (approximately 6-7 inches)

**Fringe Math Check**:
- 60 positions × 3 strands × 14" = 2,520" = 210 feet = 70 yards per edge
- Both edges: 140 yards for fringe
- This is extra yarn beyond the 495 yards for the scarf body

**Alternative**: If you don't have extra yarn, use 1-2 strands per bundle instead of 3, or space fringe every 10 stitches (30 bundles per edge).

---

### FINAL MEASUREMENTS:

After blocking and adding fringe:
- **Length**: 80" (scarf body) + 6" (fringe) + 6" (fringe) = **92" total**
- **Width**: 15"
- **Weight**: approximately 300g (all three skeins used)

---

## CARE INSTRUCTIONS:

**Washing**: Hand wash in cool water with wool wash. Lay flat to dry.

**Storage**: Fold loosely or roll to prevent creasing. Store in a breathable bag with cedar or lavender to deter moths.

---

## DESIGN NOTES:

This scarf is knitted lengthwise, which is an unconventional but effective method for creating long horizontal stripes. The garter stitch creates a squishy, textured fabric that's warm and cozy. Because garter stitch is reversible, both sides of your scarf look equally beautiful!

**Yarn Substitution**: Any worsted weight wool will work. Choose three colors that coordinate well together - try ombre shades of the same color family, or contrasting colors for bold stripes.

**Customization Ideas**:
- **Different stripe widths**: Make one color dominant by knitting it for 7-8", with smaller 3-4" stripes in the other colors
- **More stripes**: Use thinner stripes (2-3" each) and repeat the color sequence
- **No fringe**: Skip the fringe for a cleaner look
- **Longer/shorter**: Adjust the cast-on number: every 4 stitches = approximately 1" of length

---

## SKILL LEVEL: BEGINNER

**Skills required**: 
- Cast on
- Knit stitch
- Bind off
- Weaving in ends
- Color changes

**Perfect for**: First-time knitters who want to practice their knit stitch while creating a useful, beautiful accessory!

---

**Pattern Design**: Lengthwise Striped Scarf © 2024
**Finished Sample**: 80" × 15" with 6" fringe

*Happy Knitting!*