Noro Herringbone Scarf

Noro Herringbone Scarf by Kate Atherley

What is Being Made

The Noro Herringbone Scarf is a classic knitted accessory designed to showcase the distinctive color combinations of Noro yarns. This scarf measures approximately 28 cm (11 inches) wide by 150 cm (60 inches) long after blocking, making it a versatile length suitable for various styling options. The design is created from a single 100gm ball of yarn, offering an efficient project that produces an impressive finished garment without requiring multiple skeins.

Techniques and Stitch Pattern

This design features a herringbone stitch pattern that creates a distinctive visual effect. The pattern causes the rows to scallop naturally, resulting in lovely wavy stripes that run across the width of the scarf. The designer intentionally keeps the stitchwork simple and straightforward, allowing the multicolored yarn to be the primary visual focus of the finished piece.

The herringbone pattern contains only one pattern row, making it highly accessible for knitters new to lace knitting. The repeat is a manageable 12-stitch repeat, which means the pattern is easy to memorize and maintain throughout the project. This simplicity makes the Noro Herringbone Scarf an excellent introduction to lace knitting techniques, as it avoids the complexity of multi-row pattern sequences while still achieving sophisticated visual results.

Materials and Tools

The scarf is knitted using Noro Taiyo Sock Yarn, a premium blend fiber containing 50% Cotton, 17% Wool, 17% Nylon, and 16% Silk. Each 100gm ball yields 420 meters of yarn, providing ample yardage for the complete scarf. The sample shown uses color 23 from the Noro Taiyo range.

Knitting needles required include:

• 3.5mm needles for the main knitting (straight or short circular needles, according to personal preference)
• 4.5mm needle (single needle) for casting off

Yarn Weight and Difficulty Level

This project uses 4-ply yarn weight, which is a standard sock yarn weight that creates a fabric with excellent drape and definition. The pattern is rated at intermediate difficulty level, making it suitable for knitters with some foundational experience who are ready to explore lace techniques. Despite the intermediate rating, the designer notes that this scarf is actually simpler to knit than a pair of socks made from the same yarn, while being far more impressive to display.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of approximately 28 stitches and 28 rows over 10 cm (4 inches) in pattern stitch after blocking. Blocking is an important finishing step for this design, as it sets the scalloped edges and wavy stripes that characterize the herringbone pattern. The blocking process enhances the final dimensions and ensures the scarf reaches its intended finished measurements.