Wave Stitch Infinity Scarf in Ella Rae Lace Merino Chunky - ER23-03 - Downloadable PDF

Wave Stitch Infinity Scarf in Ella Rae Lace Merino Chunky – ER23-03

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from Ella Rae guides you through creating a beautifully textured infinity scarf worked in a striking wave stitch pattern and finished as a seamless loop. The design is pattern reference ER23-03, published by Knitting Fever, Inc., and is an excellent project for knitters looking to explore elongated stitch techniques in a chunky-weight yarn.

What Is Being Made

The finished piece is an infinity scarf — a long rectangular panel that is seamed at both ends to form a continuous circle, allowing it to be looped around the neck for warmth and style. The scarf measures approximately 26cm (10¼in) wide and 120cm (47¼in) long before joining, giving a generous, drapey loop when worn. The three-color striping adds visual depth and a modern, fashion-forward aesthetic to the wave texture.

Techniques Used

• Wave Stitch Pattern: The central technique of this design involves knitting stitches while wrapping the yarn multiple times around the needle — either twice (kw2) or three times (kw3) — to create elongated, dropped loops on the following row. When these extra wraps are dropped off on the return row, the stitches stretch and fan out, producing a fluid, wave-like texture across the fabric.
• Color Sequence Striping: The pattern uses a structured three-color rotation, working 4 rows each in shade A, shade B, and shade C in sequence. This creates clean, even horizontal stripes that interact beautifully with the wave stitch to produce a rippling, multicolored effect.
• Flat Knitting with Seaming: The scarf is knitted flat on a single pair of needles, then the cast-on and cast-off edges are sewn together to form the infinity loop. Care must be taken not to twist the panel before seaming.
• Gauge Swatch: A tension/gauge of 15 stitches and 16 rows over 10cm/4in in pattern using 5.5mm needles is specified, making it worthwhile to swatch before beginning to ensure accurate finished dimensions.

Stitches Used

• Knit (k): The foundation stitch used throughout the pattern, including plain knit rows that allow the dropped elongated loops to settle into the wave formation.
• Kw2 (knit wrapping yarn twice around needle): Creates a moderately elongated stitch that, when the extra loop is dropped on the following row, produces a slightly stretched, flowing stitch.
• Kw3 (knit wrapping yarn three times around needle): Creates a more dramatically elongated stitch, contributing to the deeper wave peaks and troughs in the pattern.
• K2tog (knit two stitches together): A basic right-leaning decrease used within the wave stitch repeat to maintain the stitch count after the elongated wraps.
• Drop Stitch: On Row 2 and Row 6 of the repeat, extra loops from the previous row are intentionally dropped off the needle, a deliberate technique that creates the characteristic open, wavy texture.

The 8-row wave stitch repeat is clearly defined, making it straightforward to memorize once the rhythm is established. Rows 1 and 5 are the pattern rows where the elongated wraps are worked, while Rows 2 and 6 involve dropping the extra loops, and Rows 3, 4, 7, and 8 are plain knit rows that provide structure and stability between the wave sections.

Materials

• Yarn: Ella Rae Lace Merino Chunky — 100g each of three shades: shade #23 (A), shade #520 (B), and shade #27 (C). This is a chunky weight yarn, which gives the finished scarf a cozy, substantial feel while still allowing the wave stitch's open, lacy quality to show through beautifully. The merino content contributes softness and drape, making the scarf comfortable to wear next to the skin.
• Needles