purlJam

# THE GUNNER — Arsenal Supporter Scarf

A classic red-and-white striped supporter scarf knitted in easy garter stitch. Perfect for matchday at the Emirates or cheering from the sofa. This is an ideal first-stripes project for confident beginners.

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn:** Worsted / Aran weight (10-ply), 100% wool or wool blend recommended for warmth.
- **Colour A (Arsenal Red):** approx. 175 g (approx. 350 m)
- **Colour B (White):** approx. 100 g (approx. 200 m)

Suggested yarns: Cascade 220, Drops Karisma, or Stylecraft Special Aran.

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

**Notions:**
- Tapestry needle (for weaving in ends)
- Scissors
- Sharp scissors and a piece of card approx. 18 cm tall (for fringe)
- Optional: stitch markers

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## TENSION (GAUGE)

18 sts × 36 rows = 10 cm (4") square in garter stitch on 5.0 mm needles, after blocking.

*Tension is not critical for a scarf, but a looser fabric will use more yarn and a tighter fabric less.*

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## FINISHED SIZE

- **Width:** approx. 20 cm (8")
- **Length:** approx. 150 cm (60"), excluding fringe
- **Fringe:** approx. 12 cm (4¾") at each end

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- **k** — knit
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **CO** — cast on
- **BO** — bind off (cast off)
- **A** — Colour A (red)
- **B** — Colour B (white)
- **RS** — right side
- **WS** — wrong side

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## ATTACHED STITCH CHART

A separate **Attached Stripe Chart** panel accompanies this pattern as a visual reference for the colour sequence. **Do not look for a chart grid in the pattern text** — use the attached chart panel instead.

**Where it sits in the pattern:** The attached chart corresponds to the "Stripe Sequence" within the PATTERN section below. One full vertical repeat of the attached chart equals one 40-row stripe block (20 rows A + 20 rows B).

**How to read the chart:**
- Read the chart **from bottom to top**, the same direction the scarf grows on your needles.
- Each horizontal band on the chart represents a block of garter rows in a single colour (each garter "ridge" = 2 rows).
- Because this scarf is worked entirely in garter stitch, row direction alternates RS/WS automatically — no symbol reading is required; only the **colour** changes matter.

**Colour-change handling:**
- Change colour at the **start of a RS row**.
- Do **not** cut the unused yarn between stripes; carry it loosely up the right-hand edge, twisting the two yarns together every 2 rows to anchor the float.
- Cut and rejoin only at the very beginning and very end of the scarf.

**Stitch-count integration:** Stitch count remains a constant **36 sts** on every row throughout — no increases or decreases occur around the chart. No additional maths required.

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## PATTERN

### Cast On

With Colour A (red), cast on **36 sts** using the long-tail cast-on (or your preferred method).

*Math check: 36 sts ÷ 18 sts per 10 cm × 10 = 20 cm wide ✓*

### Border (optional, recommended)

**Rows 1–10:** With A, knit every row. (5 garter ridges of red border)

### Stripe Sequence

Work the following 40-row stripe repeat, carrying unused yarn loosely up the side:

- **Rows 1–20:** With A (red), knit every row.
- **Rows 21–40:** With B (white), knit every row.

**Work the 40-row stripe repeat a total of 13 times.**

*Math check: 13 repeats × 40 rows = 520 rows*

### Final Red Block

With A, knit **20 rows**.

*Running total: 10 (border) + 520 (stripes) + 20 (final red) = 550 rows*
*Length check: 550 rows ÷ 36 rows per 10 cm × 10 = approx. 153 cm ✓ (close to target 150 cm)*

### Bind Off

With Colour A, bind off all 36 sts knitwise. Cut yarn, leaving a 15 cm tail.

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## FINISHING

### Weaving In Ends

Using the tapestry needle, weave in all yarn ends along the edge ridges on the wrong side, working each end in for at least 5 cm. Trim excess.

### Blocking

Wet-block the scarf:
1. Soak in lukewarm water with a little wool wash for 15 minutes.
2. Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring) and roll in a towel.
3. Lay flat on a blocking mat, gently shape to 20 cm × 150 cm, and pin the edges straight.
4. Allow to dry completely.

### Fringe

1. Cut a piece of card 12 cm tall. Wrap Colour A around the card approximately **60 times**, then cut along one edge to produce strands of approx. 24 cm.
2. Repeat with Colour B for an additional **30 strands** (optional, for mixed fringe).
3. For each fringe tassel: take **3 strands** together, fold in half to form a loop.
4. Using a crochet hook, pull the loop through a stitch along the cast-on edge, then pull the cut ends through the loop and tighten.
5. Attach **9 tassels evenly spaced** along the cast-on edge (approx. every 2.5 cm / 4 sts).
6. Repeat along the bind-off edge.
7. Once all tassels are attached, trim the fringe ends evenly to neaten.

*Fringe math check: 9 tassels × 3 strands × 2 ends = 54 strand-ends per edge; 2 edges = 108 strand-ends; 60 red wraps = 60 strands available — sufficient ✓*

### Care

Hand wash in cool water with wool wash. Lay flat to dry. Do not tumble dry.

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**Up the Gunners! 🔴⚪**