purlJam

# The Sophie Loom Scarf
*A cosy, reversible rectangular scarf worked on a manual peg knitting loom*

## Description
This beginner-friendly scarf is a loom-knitted adaptation of the much-loved Sophie design. Worked back and forth on a long peg loom using only two simple stitches, it produces a squishy, textured fabric that lies flat and looks identical on both sides — perfect for a wearable first project. The finished scarf is long enough to loop once around the neck with the ends dangling.

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## Materials

- **Yarn**: Worsted weight (Aran) yarn — approximately 350–400 m (380–435 yds) in your favourite colour
- **Loom**: Manual long peg knitting loom with at least 20 pegs and a peg spacing of approximately 1.9 cm (¾"), often labelled "regular gauge" or "blue" looms
- **Loom hook / pick**: Usually included with the loom
- **Tapestry needle**: Large-eyed, blunt
- **Scissors**
- **Stitch marker or scrap yarn** (optional, to mark right side)

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## Tension (Gauge)

Approximately **10 pegs and 14 rows = 12.5 cm (5") square** in u-stitch/purl combination fabric on a regular-gauge loom.

> ⚠️ Loom tension varies with yarn weight and how tightly you wrap. Tension is less critical for a scarf than for a fitted garment — your finished width and length may vary slightly.

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## Finished Measurements

- **Width**: approximately 25 cm (10")
- **Length**: approximately 150 cm (59")

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## Abbreviations

- **CO** – cast on
- **BO** – bind/cast off
- **EW** – e-wrap (wrap the working yarn around the peg in a figure-eight/lowercase "e" shape)
- **US** – u-stitch (lay the working yarn in front of the peg, then lift the bottom loop over)
- **P** – purl (loom purl: bring yarn below the loop on the peg, scoop the loop off, place new loop on peg)
- **RS** – right side
- **WS** – wrong side
- **rep** – repeat

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## Pattern Notes

- The scarf is worked **flat** (back and forth), not in the round. You will turn the loom or simply work in the opposite direction at the end of each row.
- Use only **20 pegs** along one side of your loom. Ignore the remaining pegs.
- Anchor the working yarn at the end peg (use a slip knot on the anchor peg or the side of the loom) before casting on.
- Keep wraps loose and even — tight wraps make it difficult to lift the lower loop and result in a stiff fabric.
- After each row, **gently tug the fabric downward** through the centre of the loom to maintain even tension.
- One "row" = wrapping the indicated 20 pegs once and knitting the lower loop over.

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## Cast On (Chain Cast On – 20 pegs)

1. Tie a slip knot and place it on the anchor peg (or the first working peg).
2. Wind the yarn behind peg 1, around the front, and form a loop. Lift this loop onto peg 1.
3. Continue along all 20 pegs, forming a loop on each peg. You now have **20 loops — one on each working peg.** ✓

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## Main Pattern

The scarf is worked in a simple two-row repeat that creates a reversible textured fabric.

### Row 1 (RS): U-Stitch Row
- Working from peg 1 to peg 20, lay the working yarn in front of each peg (above the existing loop).
- Use your hook to lift the bottom loop up and over the top yarn and off the peg.
- A new loop remains on each peg. **20 loops. ✓**

### Row 2 (WS): Purl Row
- Working from peg 20 back to peg 1, loom-purl each peg: hold the working yarn below the loop on the peg, insert the hook downward through the loop, hook the working yarn, and pull a new loop up through the existing loop. Place the new loop onto the peg, removing the old one.
- **20 loops. ✓**

### Repeat
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the scarf measures approximately **150 cm (59")** from the cast-on edge, ending after a Row 2 (WS row).

> 💡 **Approximately 120 rows total (60 pattern repeats)** — measure as you go rather than counting rows, as tension varies.

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## Cast Off (Basic Flat Removal / Chain Bind-Off)

Work loosely to keep the edge stretchy.

1. U-stitch peg 1 once more (lay yarn across peg 1 only, lift loop over). One loop remains on peg 1.
2. Lift the loop from peg 1 and move it onto peg 2. Peg 2 now has 2 loops.
3. Knit over: lift the bottom loop of peg 2 over the top loop and off. One loop remains on peg 2.
4. Move the loop from peg 2 onto peg 3, lift bottom over top.
5. Continue across all 20 pegs in this manner.
6. When one loop remains on the final peg, cut the yarn leaving a 15 cm (6") tail. Pull the tail through the last loop and snug gently.

**Stitch check**: 20 pegs cast on = 20 pegs bound off. ✓

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## Finishing

1. **Weave in ends**: Thread each yarn tail onto the tapestry needle and weave invisibly into the textured fabric for about 5 cm (2"). Trim flush.
2. **Block (optional but recommended)**: 
   - Soak the scarf in lukewarm water with a drop of wool wash for 15 minutes.
   - Gently squeeze out excess water (do not wring) and roll in a towel.
   - Lay flat on a blocking surface, pat to measurements (25 × 150 cm), and leave to dry completely.
3. **Optional fringe**: Cut 40 lengths of yarn, each 25 cm long. Fold pairs in half and attach with a lark's head knot evenly along each short end (10 tassels per end).

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## Care

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

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Enjoy your finished Sophie Loom Scarf! 🧶