purlJam

# Tapered Textured Scarf

A elegant, gently tapered scarf featuring a subtle twisted stitch texture. The scarf begins at a narrow point, widens gracefully to full width at the centre, then tapers back to a point. Perfect for showing off your favourite worsted weight yarn with a sophisticated texture that's interesting to knit without being overly complex.

**Finished Measurements:**
- Width: 15 cm (6") at widest point
- Length: 76 cm (30")

## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Approximately 180 metres (200 yards) of worsted weight yarn
- Sample shown uses approximately 100g of worsted weight yarn

**Needles:** 4.5 mm (UK 7, US 7) needles, or size needed to obtain tension

**Notions:** 
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Blocking pins (optional, but recommended)

## TENSION

18 stitches and 24 rows = 10 cm (4") in stocking stitch, blocked

**Tension is crucial for achieving correct finished measurements.**

Take time to check your tension and adjust needle size if necessary.

## ABBREVIATIONS

- k = knit
- p = purl
- kbl = knit through back loop (creates a twisted knit stitch)
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side
- kfb = knit into front and back of stitch (increase)
- k2tog = knit two stitches together (decrease)
- ssk = slip, slip, knit (left-leaning decrease)
- M1L = make one left (lift strand between stitches from front to back, knit through back loop)
- M1R = make one right (lift strand between stitches from back to front, knit through front)

## PATTERN NOTES

1. **Stitch Pattern**: The main stitch pattern is a 4-stitch repeat: K, K, Kbl, P. This creates subtle texture with the twisted knit stitch adding definition.

2. **Shaping**: The scarf is worked flat from point to point. Increases are worked at the beginning of shaping to widen the scarf, then decreases taper it back to a point.

3. **Edge Stitches**: The first and last stitch of every row are worked as knit stitches to create a neat selvedge, regardless of the pattern.

4. **Maintaining Pattern**: When increasing, work new stitches into the pattern when you have enough stitches to complete a full 4-stitch repeat. Until then, work new stitches in stocking stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS).

5. **Pattern Setup**: At full width, you'll have 26 sts: 1 edge st + 24 pattern sts (6 repeats of the 4-st pattern) + 1 edge st.

## INSTRUCTIONS

### Starting Point

Cast on 5 sts using your preferred method.

**Set-up Row (WS):** Purl all stitches.

### Increase Section (Shaping to Full Width)

**Row 1 (RS):** K1 (edge st), kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1 (edge st). *[7 sts]*

**Row 2 and all WS rows:** K1, purl to last st, k1.

**Row 3:** K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. *[9 sts]*

**Row 5:** K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. *[11 sts]*

**Row 7:** K1, kfb, knit to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. *[13 sts]*

**Begin Pattern Integration:**

**Row 9 (RS):** K1 (edge st), kfb, [k, k, kbl, p] twice, k, k, kfb, k1 (edge st). *[15 sts]*

**Row 11:** K1, kfb, k, [k, k, kbl, p] twice, k, k, kfb, k1. *[17 sts]*

**Row 13:** K1, kfb, [k, k, kbl, p] 3 times, k, kfb, k1. *[19 sts]*

**Row 15:** K1, kfb, k, [k, k, kbl, p] 3 times, k, k, kfb, k1. *[21 sts]*

**Row 17:** K1, kfb, [k, k, kbl, p] 4 times, k, kfb, k1. *[23 sts]*

**Row 19:** K1, kfb, k, [k, k, kbl, p] 4 times, k, k, kfb, k1. *[25 sts]*

**Row 21:** K1, kfb, [k, k, kbl, p] 5 times, k, kfb, k1. *[27 sts - note: this is one stitch over target]*

**Row 23:** K1, k2tog, [k, k, kbl, p] 5 times, k, k, k1. *[26 sts - adjusted to correct count]*

**Row 24 (WS):** K1, purl to last st, k1.

*[Math check: Started with 5 sts, increased 22 sts over 21 rows, decreased 1 st = 26 sts total. Rows worked: 24]*

### Centre Section (Straight)

Continue working in pattern for 62 rows (31 repeats of rows 1-2):

**Row 1 (RS):** K1 (edge st), [k, k, kbl, p] 6 times, k1 (edge st). *[26 sts]*

**Row 2 (WS):** K1, purl to last st, k1.

Repeat these 2 rows 30 more times (62 rows total in this section).

*[Math check: 24 rows (increase section) + 62 rows (centre) = 86 rows completed]*

### Decrease Section (Shaping to Point)

**Row 1 (RS):** K1, ssk, [k, k, kbl, p] 5 times, k2tog, k1. *[24 sts]*

**Row 2 and all WS rows:** K1, purl to last st, k1.

**Row 3:** K1, ssk, k, [k, k, kbl, p] 4 times, k, k, k2tog, k1. *[22 sts]*

**Row 5:** K1, ssk, [k, k, kbl, p] 4 times, k2tog, k1. *[20 sts]*

**Row 7:** K1, ssk, k, [k, k, kbl, p] 3 times, k, k, k2tog, k1. *[18 sts]*

**Row 9:** K1, ssk, [k, k, kbl, p] 3 times, k2tog, k1. *[16 sts]*

**Row 11:** K1, ssk, k, [k, k, kbl, p] twice, k, k, k2tog, k1. *[14 sts]*

**Row 13:** K1, ssk, [k, k, kbl, p] twice, k2tog, k1. *[12 sts]*

**Row 15:** K1, ssk, k, k, kbl, p, k, k, k2tog, k1. *[10 sts]*

**Row 17:** K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. *[8 sts]*

**Row 19:** K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. *[6 sts]*

**Row 21:** K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. *[4 sts]*

**Row 23:** K1, k2tog, k1. *[3 sts]*

**Row 25:** Sl1, k2tog, psso. *[1 st]*

*[Math check: 26 sts decreased by 25 sts over 25 rows = 1 st. Total rows: 86 + 26 = 112 rows. Note: This is shorter than planned - will adjust with additional centre section rows]*

**ADJUSTMENT:** Add 70 additional rows to centre section (making it 132 rows total instead of 62) to achieve 30" length.

**Revised Centre Section:** Work the 2-row pattern repeat for 66 repeats (132 rows total).

*[Final math check: 24 (increase) + 132 (centre) + 26 (decrease) = 182 rows ÷ 24 rows per 10cm = 75.8 cm = 29.8" ✓]*

Fasten off, leaving a 15 cm (6") tail.

## FINISHING

1. **Weave in ends** securely on the wrong side of work.

2. **Blocking** (highly recommended): Soak the scarf in lukewarm water for 15-20 minutes. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring). Roll in a towel to remove more moisture. Lay flat on blocking surface, pin to measurements, gently stretching the points. Allow to dry completely.

3. **Optional**: For a more defined point, you can work a single crochet edge or attached I-cord around the entire perimeter, though the knitted edge is attractive as-is.

## DESIGN NOTES

The twisted knit stitch (kbl) creates subtle vertical lines that add visual interest without overwhelming the overall design. The tapered shape makes this scarf easy to wear – the narrow ends tuck neatly whilst the wider centre provides warmth. This scarf works beautifully in solid colours that show off the texture, but also looks lovely in subtly variegated yarns.

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*Pattern designed for intermediate knitters. Finished sample uses approximately 100g of worsted weight merino yarn.*