purlJam

# Sophie Scarf

A soft, classic garter stitch scarf designed for absolute beginners. Worked flat in one piece using only the knit stitch, Sophie is the perfect first project — relaxing, reversible, and beautifully cozy. The garter stitch creates a squishy, textured fabric that lies flat without curling, so there's no need for fancy edge stitches.

**Skill Level:** Beginner ★☆☆☆☆

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## MATERIALS

- **Yarn:** Approximately 300 yards (275 m) of worsted weight (CYC #4) yarn in the color of your choice
  - *Suggested fibers:* wool, wool blend, or acrylic for warmth and easy care
  - *1–2 skeins* depending on yardage per skein
- **Needles:** US 8 (5 mm) straight or circular knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
- **Notions:**
  - Tapestry/yarn needle (for weaving in ends)
  - Scissors
  - Optional: stitch marker, ruler or measuring tape

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## GAUGE

**18 stitches × 36 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch**, after gentle blocking.

*Gauge is not critical for a scarf, but it will affect finished width and yarn usage. Knit a small swatch (about 24 sts × 30 rows) to check.*

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## FINISHED SIZE

- **Width:** 8 inches (20.5 cm)
- **Length:** 60 inches (152 cm)
- *Length is easily adjusted — simply knit more or fewer rows.*

**Math check:** 36 sts ÷ 18 sts per 4" × 4 = **8 inches wide** ✓

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## ABBREVIATIONS

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| **k** | knit |
| **st(s)** | stitch(es) |
| **CO** | cast on |
| **BO** | bind off (cast off) |
| **RS** | right side |
| **WS** | wrong side |

*Note: In garter stitch, both sides look the same — there is no "right" or "wrong" side!*

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## PATTERN

### Cast On

Using US 8 (5 mm) needles, **cast on 36 stitches** using the long-tail cast-on (or your preferred method).

> 💡 *Beginner Tip:* Leave a 6-inch (15 cm) tail at the beginning — you'll weave this in later.

### Body of Scarf

**Row 1 (and every row):** Knit all 36 stitches across.

Repeat this row until your scarf measures approximately **60 inches (152 cm)** from the cast-on edge, or your desired length.

> 💡 *Beginner Tip:* Lay your work flat (do not stretch) when measuring. Count rows occasionally — at 36 rows per 4 inches, 60 inches will be approximately **540 rows**.

**Row count check:** 60" × 36 rows ÷ 4" = **540 rows total** ✓

### Bind Off

Bind off all 36 stitches knitwise loosely. Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) tail, and pull the tail through the last loop to secure.

> 💡 *Beginner Tip:* A loose bind-off keeps the end of your scarf the same width as the rest. If your bind-off feels tight, try using a needle one size larger for this step only.

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## FINISHING

1. **Weave in ends:** Thread each yarn tail onto a tapestry needle. Weave the tail through 2–3 inches of stitches on the wrong side, working in a zigzag path. Trim excess yarn close to the fabric.

2. **Blocking (optional but recommended):**
   - Soak the finished scarf in cool water with a small amount of wool wash for 15–20 minutes.
   - Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring).
   - Lay flat on a clean towel, shape to 8" × 60", and allow to air dry completely.
   - Blocking evens out stitches and gives a beautiful finished appearance.

3. **Optional Fringe:**
   - Cut 60 strands of yarn, each 12 inches long.
   - Group into bundles of 3 strands.
   - Using a crochet hook, fold each bundle in half, pull the loop through a stitch on the cast-on or bind-off edge, then pull the ends through the loop and tighten.
   - Space evenly across each short edge (about 10 fringes per end).
   - Trim ends to even them up.

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### 🎉 You did it!

Wear your Sophie scarf with pride — you just knit a complete project! This pattern is endlessly customizable: try stripes by changing colors every 10 rows, make it longer for an extra-cozy wrap, or hold two strands together with larger needles (US 11 / 8 mm) for a chunky version.

*Happy knitting!* 🧶