Swiss Cheese Scarf in Plymouth Kudo - F315

Swiss Cheese Scarf in Plymouth Kudo – Free Knitting Pattern F315

The Swiss Cheese Scarf is a free downloadable knitting pattern (design number F315) from the Plymouth Yarn Design Studio, designed by Mary R. and published by Plymouth Yarn Company. True to its playful name, this scarf features a bold, open-hole texture that mimics the characteristic round holes found in Swiss cheese, making it a visually striking and conversation-starting accessory. The finished scarf measures a generous 12 inches wide by 60 inches long, creating a substantial wrap that works equally well as a fashion scarf or a cozy everyday accessory. A narrower variation casting on just 35 stitches is also included for knitters who prefer a more streamlined silhouette.

What Is Being Made

This pattern produces a rectangular knitted scarf with a distinctive Swiss cheese-inspired hole pattern running throughout the body. The holes are created by a deliberate bind-off and cast-on technique worked in alternating positions across two sets of rows, producing a staggered, organic arrangement of openings that gives the fabric its whimsical, cheese-like appearance. The generous dimensions make it suitable for draping, looping, or wearing in a variety of styles.

Techniques Used

• Casting on and binding off mid-row: The signature technique in this pattern involves binding off a group of stitches and then casting them back on in the very next row, deliberately leaving open holes in the fabric. This is an unconventional but highly effective method for creating large, stable eyelets or apertures without the use of yarn overs.
• Garter stitch border and body: The scarf begins and ends with several rows of plain garter stitch, providing a neat, non-curling edge that frames the textured pattern cleanly.
• Staggered pattern repeat: The hole placement alternates between two positions across the width of the scarf, shifting by five stitches every two rows to create the offset, scattered appearance reminiscent of Swiss cheese holes.
• Knitwise bind-off: The final bind-off is worked knitwise for a tidy, consistent finish that matches the garter stitch character of the fabric.
• Weaving in ends: Because new yarn is effectively cast on mid-row during the pattern, finishing involves carefully weaving in all ends for a clean result.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch – formed by knitting every row, used for the border rows and as the background fabric throughout the scarf body
• Knit stitch (K) – the sole stitch used throughout the entire pattern
• Mid-row bind-off (bo) – groups of 5 stitches are bound off within a row to create the open holes
• Mid-row cast-on (co) – groups of 5 stitches are cast back on in the following row to restore the stitch count and close the base of each hole

Pattern Structure

The pattern is worked over an 8-row repeat. Rows 1 and 2 create one set of holes, with stitches bound off and then cast back on in a regular repeat across the row. Rows 3 and 4 are plain knit rows. Rows 5 and 6 shift the hole placement by 5 stitches, creating the staggered offset. Rows 7 and 8 are again plain knit rows. This simple, logical structure makes the pattern easy to memorize and enjoyable to work, even for knitters who are relatively new to the craft.

Materials and Gauge

The pattern calls for 3 hanks of Plymouth Yarn Kudo, each weighing 100 grams. Kudo is a Plymouth Yarn yarn known for its rich, textural character, and its properties lend warmth and visual depth to the open, hole-filled fabric of this scarf. The recommended needle size is US size 7, and the gauge is 4.5 stitches per inch over garter stitch. Achieving gauge is particularly important here, as the stitch count and hole placement are calculated to produce the correct finished width of 12 inches. The full-width version begins with a loosely cast-on 65 stitches, while the narrower version uses 35