Mandala Striped Scarf

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