The ALBERS scarf is how you turn a pile of mismatched scraps and forgotten balls of yarn into a work of art. No one will ever guess it’s made of scrap yarn, though you might feel the need to boast about it once finished.

This luxurious scarf is an eyecatcher to compete with the fanciest brands on the market. It’s soft and toasty and, if you choose wisely, there’s a good chance it will instantly match most of your handmade wardrobe.

The design is a nod to weaving, from the stitch pattern to the color concept. The pattern will guide you as you sort through your leftovers to create your own, unique masterpiece. Have fun mix and matching colors!

CONSTRUCTION

This accessory is knit flat, bottom-up, in one piece.

I created this design so I could finally give a proper purpose to a ton of leftovers I’d accumulated over the years. When I started writing this pattern, it was clear that I needed to stay true to that intention.

The result is an unusual knitting pattern with an in-depth color guide, that will help you develop your unique color concept as you uncover the hidden potential in your yarn stash!

The color guide includes an introduction to color theory and to weaving, lots of pictures and schematics to illustrate different steps and design features, as well as suggestions on further resources. There’s also a coloring page at the end!

KNITTING LEVEL

Advanced beginner to intermediate. Due to the use of intarsia and the need to manage several balls of yarn at the same time, I would not recommend this pattern to beginners. The pattern includes step-by-step instructions and explains the used techniques.

TECHNIQUES:
Linen stitch, intarsia colorwork, working from several balls of yarn, holding yarn together, long tail cast-on (LTCO), regular bind-off.

AVAILABLE SIZES

My scarf is 252 x 30 cm (100 x 12”).
The size can be adjusted according to your preferences.

GAUGE

in 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4”)
25 sts x 40 R in linen stitch

SUGGESTED YARN

1 strand of
BASE YARN: fingering weight (375 - 500 m / 100 g)
1320 m (1445 yds) in total. Any blend such as wool, cotton, silk, etc., provided the thread is smooth, of medium to heavy density and more or less uniform.
held together with 2 strands of
LAYER YARN: fluffy, lace weight (ca. 225 m / 25 g)
2640 m (2890 yds) in total. Blends such as silk-mohair, brushed or Suri alpaca: lightweight, with a fluffy halo held by a thin core.

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS

If you wish to achieve a similar fabric with a similar drape, use the necessary needle sizes to get the given gauge.
I used 5 mm (US 8) needles.

2 stitch markers, tapestry needle, measuring tape

Worn here with my CITRINE hat.

Need help at any point? Make sure to check the last pattern pages for tips, abbreviations, tutorials, and a contact