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Snowbird Waffle-Knit Scarf: Free Knitting Pattern

by | Accessories, All Designs, Free Patterns, Knitting, Winter

Would you believe, in these years of blogging and crocheting and knitting, I haven’t made myself a full-blown super scarf? I’ve made crochet wraps, and knit wraps, wrap scarves, cowls, and infinity cowls, but never just a long, simple scarf. I’m glad this super long waffle-knit scarf is now part of my winter closet!

waffle-knit super scarf wrapped once around neck

When I was a little girl, my grandmother tried to teach me to knit for years. And as little girls do, you start with a simple stockinette scarf. But I remember never finishing because I’d make a mistake, didn’t know how to fix it, and then just scrapped the whole thing. I didn’t really pick up knitting again until just a few years ago, and now I think of my grandma every time I pick up knitting needles. She passed away nearly 10 years ago, but I’d like to think she’s proud of my work, especially learning how to fix skipped stitches!

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Purchase the kit from Lion Brand Yarn

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Lion Brand Vel-Luxe for Softness and Texture

I don’t know about you, but I prefer something not scratchy up against my neck. Anywhere really, but especially up by my neck. So even though I’m a fan of wool and natural fibers, the softness and non-scratchiness of Lion Brand’s Vel-Luxe really appeals to me.

Vel-luxe colors by Lion Brand Yarn

First, it’s an incredibly soft yarn. Second, the velvet has such a cool feel on the skin, even as it keeps you warm. On my Mysa sweater, I made a cowl neck because I thought the velvet would feel extra cozy; I guess the Snowbird waffle-knit scarf is a natural extension of that idea!

waffle-knit scarf wrapped twice around neck

The scarf is knit with 2 strands of Lion Brand Vel-Luxe held together. Vel-luxe is categorized as a medium weight 4, or worsted weight yarn, and as a result, can feel a bit thin when worked on its own. However, holding 2 strands together really gives it a chunky, extra squishy feel. I find there’s 2 ways of working 2 strands together. You can either work with both ends of the same ball of yarn, or pull from 2 balls of yarn at the same time. Since this scarf uses 3 balls of Vel-Luxe, at some point, you can start by pulling from the first 2 balls, but then work from both ends of ball number 3.

woman holding waffle-knit scarf standing on step

Adjusting Length and Width in a Super Scarf

The pattern itself is very simple, making this a great project to work on in front of the TV. All you need to do is get past the first 4 rows, and then just worry about not making it too long! The waffle-knit pattern adds so much texture to the already super tactile Vel-Luxe, and the double strands give it even more loft. It’s such a joy to wrap this around my neck!

Since the scarf is a really long rectangle, you can adjust the width and length of the scarf to whatever you wish. Just make that that you start with a multiple of 3, plus 2, to follow the pattern. And if you know how much yarn you have to work with, you can play with a bit of geometry. A set yardage will yield a specific area of knitting, so you can adjust the length and width of the scarf accordingly. Make the scarf wider, and it’ll end up shorter. Make it thinner and there’s enough yarn for it be knit even longer.

My scarf is knit long enough to wrap around the neck twice for extra coziness. It’s also pretty wide, but there’s a bit of curling at the edges that makes it feel thinner when worn. So, as stated in the pattern notes, start about 2 inches wider than the width you want.

waffle knit scarf collage

Snowbird Waffle-Knit Scarf Free Pattern

Supplies

  • 650-750 yds (594-686 m) of worsted weight, weight 4, yarn
    Shown in sample: 3 balls of Lion Brand Vel-luxe yarn (150g/5.3oz, 246yds/225 m)
  • US 11/8.00 mm knitting needles
  • Tapestry needle
  • Scissors

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Purchase the Snowbird Waffle Scarf knit kit from Lion Brand Yarn

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Gauge

Approximately 10 sts and 15 rows in 4” of thermal stitch. Exact gauge is not necessary.

Finished Size (One size only)

10.5” wide x 96” long, not including fringe.

Finished size can be adjusted to desired length and width.

Abbreviations (US terminology)

  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • K – knit
  • P – purl
  • Slwyb – slip the stitch purlwise with yarn in back
  • Slwyf – slip the stitch purlwise with yarn in front

Pattern and Construction Notes

  • The Waffle-Knit Thermal Scarf is easily customizable to different widths and lengths, and as such, the yardage can vary widely based on the yarn used.
  • As written, the scarf is long enough to wrap around your neck twice for extra loft and coziness. You can easily customize to any length by simply repeating the thermal stitch pattern as many times as desired and then finish with 4 rows of seed stitch before binding off.
  • For working a gauge swatch or customizing scarf width, you’ll need to cast on a multiple of 3, + 2. The The repeated pattern is across 3 sts, and an additional 2 sts will give you the 2 garter sts at the edges. Instructions specify a cast-on of 26, which is 24 (3×8) + 2.
  • Because of the curl inherent in the stitch pattern, it’s highly recommended to work the scarf approximately 1-2 inches wider than the final desired width.
  • General construction: The Waffle-Knit Thermal Scarf is worked with 2 strands of Vel-luxe held together. You start off with 4 rows of seed stitch, followed by the bulk of the scarf worked in Thermal Stitch, and completed with 4 rows of seed stitch.
  • Knit the scarf in rows, turning your work at the end of every row.
  • Steam blocking the finished scarf will help with curling at the edges and relaxing the yarn so the scarf is closer to the intended width.

Instructions for the Snowbird Waffle-Knit Scarf

Holding two strands of yarn together, and using the long-tail cast on method, cast on 26 sts.

Seed Stitch section:

Row 1: Work [k1, p1] across.

Row 2: Work [p1, k1] across.

Row 3: Work [k1, p1] across.

Row 4: Work [p1, k1] across.

 

Thermal Stitch pattern:

Row 1: Work k2, then [slwyb 1, k2] across.

Row 2: Work k2, then [slwyf 1, k2] across.

Row 3: Work k1 across.

Row 4: Work p1 across.

 

Repeat 4-row Thermal Stitch pattern until desired length or until you reach approximately 94-96”. Length can increase slightly with blocking.

Repeat Rows 1 to 4 of Seed Stitch section.

Bind off using the normal knit bind off method. Cut yarn, and weave in all ends.

 

Knotted Fringe: 

Cut (112) fifty-six 10” pieces of yarn.

larks head knots evenly across the bottom of the scarf. They should be on approximately every 4th cast-on/bind-off stitch.

snowbird waffle scarf pin image

 

5 Comments

  1. Lynn

    Do you have a video on how to do the thermal stitch?

  2. Kathy

    I would like to see a video on how to do the thermal stitch.

  3. sonic games

    Knitted patterns look simple but still very beautiful, the scarf is smooth and luxurious

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