Free Mermaid Scarf Knitting Pattern

A quick and simple knit in a beautiful variegated silk-and-wool blend, this scarf features Mistake Rib Stitch, a pattern that looks great on both sides and doesn't curl. A strip of knitted fringe trim at the ends is fun and unusual.

 

Picture of rib stitched scarf with knitted fringe trim, blue.
A great warm scarf that will keep you
warm and stylish all winter long.

 


Size
Approximately 5x60" (12.5x152.5cm), including knitted fringe

What You'll Need

Yarn: Worsted weight yarn, about 327 yards (299m)

We used: South West Trading Company Karaoke (50% Soy Silk, 50% wool; 109 yards [100m] per 50g ball): #278 Mermaid Mix, 3 balls

Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm)

Notion: Tapestry needle

Gauge
26 stitches and 30 rows=4" (10cm) in pattern

Making the Scarf
Loosely cast on 33 stitches.

Row 1: *Knit 2, purl 2; repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.
Row 2: *Purl 2, knit 2; repeat from * to last stitch, purl 1.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until scarf measures 50" (127cm). Bind off loosely in pattern.

Make the Fringe (make 2)
Note: The fringe is worked from side to side.

Loosely cast on 25 stitches.

Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: Knit.
Row 3: Loosely bind off 20 stitches (1 stitch on right needle after bind-off), knit 4. (5 stitches remain)
Row 4: Knit 5; using the backward loop cast-on method, loosely cast on 20 stitches.
Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: Knit.
Row 7: Repeat row 3.

Repeat rows 4-7 seven times more, then work rows 4-6 once more. Bind off all 25 stitches loosely (10 fringes).

With yarn threaded on tapestry needle, whipstitch fringe to short end of scarf.

Repeat fringe for other end of scarf.

Weave in yarn ends to wrong side of work. Lightly steam-block to measurements.

Purl of Wisdom
When working in Mistake Rib Stitch pattern, be sure to cast on an odd number of stitches

For more helpful knitting tips and interesting patterns, try:

Contributing designers: Phyllis Fishberg, Jamie Goland, Laurie Gonyea, Judith Horwitz, Amy Polcyn, Lucie Sinkler, and Beth Walker-O'Brien.