Pride of the USA Knit Scarf in Red Heart Super Saver Economy Solids - LW2606

Pride of the USA Knit Scarf – Pattern Summary

About This Pattern

The Pride of the USA Knit Scarf (pattern number LW2606) is a patriotic knitted scarf designed by Darla Sims and published by Red Heart. Originally created as part of the 2012 Special Olympics Scarf Project, this design uses the project's official colors to produce a bold, stripe-patterned accessory that is as meaningful as it is stylish. The finished scarf measures 6 inches wide by 62 inches long, making it a generously sized, wearable piece suitable for all ages.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated beginner level, making it an ideal first project for those new to knitting. The stitch work is straightforward, relying entirely on the two most fundamental knitting techniques — the knit stitch and the purl stitch — combined in a simple, repeating stripe sequence. Experienced knitters will find this a satisfying, relaxing make that works up quickly.

What You Are Making

This pattern produces a single knitted scarf in a classic striped colorblock design. The stripes alternate between a dominant solid color block and a shorter contrasting block, creating a clean, graphic look that reflects American pride. The scarf is worked flat, from cast-on to bind-off, in one continuous piece with no shaping required.

Techniques Used

• Flat knitting: The scarf is worked back and forth on straight needles, producing a flat fabric rather than a tube.
• Stripe pattern: Two colors are alternated in a structured, repeating sequence across a 24-row pattern repeat. Color A forms a wide 16-row garter stripe, while Color B forms a narrower 8-row stockinette stripe.
• Casting on and binding off: The pattern begins with a standard cast-on of 22 stitches and finishes with a standard bind-off.
• Weaving in ends: Because two colors are used, finishing requires weaving in yarn ends neatly for a clean, polished result — a great skill-building step for beginners.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch: Used throughout the garter stitch sections worked in Color A, and on right-side rows of the stockinette sections in Color B. Knitting every row creates the ridged garter texture seen in the wider stripes.
• Purl stitch: Used on wrong-side rows within the Color B stripes to create a smooth stockinette stitch fabric in the contrasting color sections. This subtle textural difference between the two stripe types adds visual interest to the finished scarf.

Stripe Pattern Breakdown

The 24-row stripe repeat is the heart of this pattern. Rows 1–16 are worked entirely in Color A using the knit stitch on every row, producing a wide garter stitch stripe. Rows 17–24 introduce Color B, alternating knit and purl rows to create a stockinette stripe. This 24-row sequence repeats until the scarf reaches 60 inches from the beginning, after which Rows 1–16 are worked once more to complete the final Color A border before binding off.

Gauge

The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches = 6 inches and 14 rows = 2 inches in the stripe pattern. Since the scarf has a fixed width of 22 cast-on stitches, achieving the correct gauge ensures your finished scarf matches the intended 6-inch width. Knitters are encouraged to swatch and adjust needle size as needed to match gauge.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver (Art. E300), an aran-weight acrylic yarn available in 7 oz / 198 g / 364 yd (333 m) skeins in solid colors. You will need 1 skein each of 319 Cherry Red (Color A) and 387 Soft Navy (Color B).
• Knitting Needles: 5mm [US