Merry Scarf in Rowan Kid Classic - Downloadable PDF

Merry Scarf by Martin Storey – Knitting Pattern Summary

The Merry Scarf is a free, downloadable PDF knitting pattern designed by Martin Storey and published by Rowan. This elegant, generously proportioned scarf is worked in an all-over cable pattern that creates a richly textured, visually striking fabric. The finished scarf measures 26 cm (10 inches) wide and 199 cm (78½ inches) long, excluding the knotted fringe, making it a substantial and luxurious accessory suitable for both everyday wear and gifting.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a long, wide knitted scarf featuring a repeating cable design across its entire width. The scarf is finished with a decorative fringe along the cast-off edge, adding a classic, tactile detail. The sample shown in the pattern photography is worked in Royal 835, a rich, deep colourway that beautifully showcases the sculptural quality of the cable stitches. The scarf is rated as an intermediate difficulty project, making it an ideal next step for knitters who are comfortable with basic knit and purl stitches and ready to explore cable techniques.

Yarn and Materials

• Yarn: Rowan Kid Classic, an aran-weight yarn, used in 8 x 50g balls
• Needles: 1 pair of 5mm (UK No. 6 / US 8) straight needles
• Additional tool: A cable needle is required throughout

Rowan Kid Classic is a beloved blend that combines the softness and halo of mohair with the structure and warmth of a classic aran-weight yarn. Its slight sheen and fluffy texture make it particularly well suited to cable patterns, where the raised stitches catch the light and create beautiful definition. The aran weight ensures the cables are bold and prominent without being overly heavy.

Tension

The pattern specifies a tension of 30 stitches and 26½ rows to 10 cm, measured over the cable pattern using 5mm needles. Achieving the correct tension is important for matching the stated finished dimensions, so knitters are encouraged to work a tension swatch before beginning.

Techniques Used

• Cable knitting – the primary technique, worked across the full width of the scarf
• Casting on – 78 stitches are cast on to begin
• Knit and purl stitches – used to build the cable repeat and the reverse stocking stitch background
• Casting off – worked after the final pattern repeat
• Fringe making – 40 cm lengths of yarn are cut and knotted in groups of four through the cast-off edge to create the finished fringe
• Pressing and making up – the completed scarf is pressed as directed on the Rowan information page

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch
• Purl stitch
• C6B (Cable 6 Back) – slip the next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and leave at the back of the work, knit 3, then knit 3 from the cable needle; this creates a right-leaning cable twist
• C6F (Cable 6 Front) – slip the next 3 stitches onto a cable needle and leave at the front of the work, knit 3, then knit 3 from the cable needle; this creates a left-leaning cable twist

Pattern Construction and Stitch Repeat

The scarf is worked flat on a pair of straight needles. The 8-row pattern repeat is structured as follows:

• Row 1 (RS): Knit
• Row 2: Purl
• Row 3: C6B repeated 13 times across the row