Does anyone remember those striped scarfs that were popular 10 to 15 years ago? You took two skeins of self-striping yarn and worked two rows from each ball to create a striping, color-changing very cool looking scarf that is actually really easy to make?
This was a really popular pattern with Noro yarns sometime around 2008 or so.
I share that as a preface to sharing this pattern to make sure I’m super clear that a) this is not a unique idea and 2) I don’t claim to be the creator of the idea.
All that said, I saw the Mandala DK yarns at JoAnn Fabrics and thought it would be an awesome, affordable version of that kind of striped scarf.
I did pick up four balls of yarn in the Wizard color (it was a buy three, get one free sale). I used only two to make a really generously sized scarf. This is under $15 project, pretty good for a budget knit!
Construction:
Knit back and forth in rows, this knitting pattern requires minimal knitting techniques for a gorgeous outcome.
Grab two balls of self-striping yarn (or your favorite solids) and knit up a gorgeous accessory. Knit two rows from the first ball then two rows from the second to create a stripe pattern. This is fun to work with self-striping yarns because you can’t quite predict how the colors will come together – but you’re pretty much guaranteed a fun outcome.
Skill level: Beginner-Intermediate
Skills needed: knitting, purling, slipping stitches with yarn in back
Width: 9 1/2″
Length: 96″
Gauge: 40 sts and 30 rows per 4” in k1, p1 ribbing knit flat
Materials
- 590 yards of DK weight acrylic yarn in color 1 or ball 1 (Sample shown in Lion Brand Mandala, color 213 Wizard)
- 590 yards of DK weight acrylic yarn in color 2 or ball 1 (Sample shown in Lion Brand Mandala, color 213 Wizard)
- US 5 knitting needles
Abbreviations
- BO: Bind off
- CO: Cast on
- C1: Color 1
- C2: Color 2
- k: knit
- p: purl
- sl: slip one stitch with yarn in back
Instructions
CO 89 sts with MC
- Row 1 (RS): With C1, Sl, (k1, p1) 43 times, k2. (89 sts)
- Row 2 (WS): With C1, Sl wyif, p1, (k1, p1) 43 times, p1.
- Row 3: With C2 repeat row 1.
- Row 4: With C2, repeat row 2.
Repeat rows 1 – 4 until work is 96″ or desired length. BO.
Wet block scarf as desired. Wear.
This scarf was knit over about a month. This isn’t a super quick knit because it is a DK weight on US 5 needles. But I think it’s worth it.
The finished scarf is airy yet warm. And the colors are so much fun.
If you knit a Mandala Stripe Scarf using this pattern recipe and are on Instagram, please share it with me. I really enjoy seeing your projects. I’m @knitmckinley Instagram and I use the hashtag #knitmckinley for my projects and patterns.
Happy knitting,
Kara