purlJam

# The Rounded Taper Neck Scarf

**Description:**
This intermediate-level pattern creates a sophisticated neckerchief with softly rounded ends, avoiding the sharp points of traditional triangular scarves. Knitted in squishy garter stitch, this scarf features a variable rate of increasing and decreasing to achieve a petal-like shape. At 76 cm (30 inches) long, it is designed to be tied once snugly around the neck or secured with a shawl pin.

**Difficulty Level:** Intermediate

**Dimensions:**
*   **Width (at centre):** 15 cm (6 inches)
*   **Total Length:** 76 cm (30 inches)

**Materials Required:**
*   **Yarn:** Approx. 110–130 metres (120–140 yards) of Worsted/Aran weight yarn.
    *   *Recommended fibre:* Merino wool or an alpaca blend for drape and next-to-skin softness.
*   **Needles:** 5.0 mm (US 8) straight or circular needles (or size needed to obtain tension).
*   **Notions:** Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, measuring tape, row counter (highly recommended).

**Tension (Gauge):**
18 stitches and 34 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 inches) in Garter Stitch (knit every row).
*Note: Correct tension is crucial for achieving the rounded shape.*

**Terminology & Abbreviations (UK English):**
*   **k:** Knit
*   **p:** Purl
*   **st(s):** Stitch(es)
*   **sl1wyif:** Slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in front (brings yarn to front between needles, slip stitch, take yarn back over right needle to knit next stitch). This creates a neat chain edge.
*   **kfb:** Knit front and back (increase 1 stitch).
*   **k2tog:** Knit 2 stitches together (decrease 1 stitch).
*   **RS:** Right Side
*   **WS:** Wrong Side

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### INSTRUCTIONS

**SECTION 1: The Rounded Increase**
*The scarf begins at one tip. Increases happen rapidly at first to create a curve, then slow down.*

**Cast on** 5 sts.

**Row 1 (WS):** Sl1wyif, k4. `[5 sts]`
**Row 2 (RS):** Sl1wyif, kfb, k1, kfb, k1. `[Start 5 + 2 inc = 7 sts]`
**Row 3:** Sl1wyif, knit to end. `[7 sts]`

**Row 4:** Sl1wyif, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. `[Start 7 + 2 inc = 9 sts]`
**Row 5:** Sl1wyif, knit to end.
**Row 6:** Sl1wyif, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. `[Start 9 + 2 inc = 11 sts]`
**Row 7:** Sl1wyif, knit to end.

*Note: We now slow the rate of increase to every 4th row.*

**Row 8:** Sl1wyif, knit to end. `[11 sts]`
**Row 9 (Inc):** Sl1wyif, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. `[Start 11 + 2 inc = 13 sts]`
**Rows 10–12:** Work 3 rows straight (slipping first st of every row).
**Row 13 (Inc):** Sl1wyif, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. `[Start 13 + 2 inc = 15 sts]`
**Rows 14–16:** Work 3 rows straight.
**Row 17 (Inc):** Sl1wyif, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. `[Start 15 + 2 inc = 17 sts]`

*Note: We now slow the rate of increase to every 8th row to create the long taper.*

**Rows 18–24:** Work 7 rows straight.
**Row 25 (Inc):** Sl1wyif, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. `[Start 17 + 2 inc = 19 sts]`
**Rows 26–32:** Work 7 rows straight.
**Row 33 (Inc):** Sl1wyif, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. `[Start 19 + 2 inc = 21 sts]`
**Rows 34–40:** Work 7 rows straight.
**Row 41 (Inc):** Sl1wyif, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. `[Start 21 + 2 inc = 23 sts]`
**Rows 42–48:** Work 7 rows straight.
**Row 49 (Inc):** Sl1wyif, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. `[Start 23 + 2 inc = 25 sts]`
**Rows 50–56:** Work 7 rows straight.
**Row 57 (Inc):** Sl1wyif, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. `[Start 25 + 2 inc = 27 sts]`

*Piece should now measure approximately 21 cm (8.25 inches) long and 15 cm (6 inches) wide.*

**SECTION 2: The Centre**
Work straight on 27 sts (slipping first st of every row) until the piece measures 55 cm (21.5 inches) from the cast-on edge. This is approximately 114 rows of straight knitting.

`[Stitch count remains constant at 27 sts]`

**SECTION 3: The Rounded Decrease**
*We now reverse the shaping, starting slowly and accelerating toward the tip.*

*Note: Decrease every 8th row.*
**Row 1 (Dec):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 27 - 2 dec = 25 sts]`
**Rows 2–8:** Work 7 rows straight.
**Row 9 (Dec):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 25 - 2 dec = 23 sts]`
**Rows 10–16:** Work 7 rows straight.
**Row 17 (Dec):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 23 - 2 dec = 21 sts]`
**Rows 18–24:** Work 7 rows straight.
**Row 25 (Dec):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 21 - 2 dec = 19 sts]`
**Rows 26–32:** Work 7 rows straight.
**Row 33 (Dec):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 19 - 2 dec = 17 sts]`

*Note: Decrease every 4th row.*
**Rows 34–36:** Work 3 rows straight.
**Row 37 (Dec):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 17 - 2 dec = 15 sts]`
**Rows 38–40:** Work 3 rows straight.
**Row 41 (Dec):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 15 - 2 dec = 13 sts]`
**Rows 42–44:** Work 3 rows straight.
**Row 45 (Dec):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 13 - 2 dec = 11 sts]`
**Row 46:** Sl1wyif, knit to end.

*Note: Decrease every RS (alternate) row for the tip.*
**Row 47 (Dec):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 11 - 2 dec = 9 sts]`
**Row 48:** Sl1wyif, knit to end.
**Row 49 (Dec):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 9 - 2 dec = 7 sts]`
**Row 50:** Sl1wyif, knit to end.
**Row 51 (Dec):** Sl1wyif, k1, k2tog, k to last 4 sts, k2tog, k2. `[Start 7 - 2 dec = 5 sts]`
**Row 52:** Sl1wyif, knit to end.

**Finishing:**
Cast off remaining 5 sts loosely.
Weave in loose ends using the tapestry needle.
Wet block the scarf to smooth the garter ridges and ensure the rounded edges lie flat. Stretch gently to reach full length if necessary.