Half Wheel Scarf

Half Wheel Scarf by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton

What is Being Made

The Half Wheel Scarf is an intermediate-level knitted accessory designed by Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton. This scarf measures approximately 9 inches wide (23 cm) and 58 inches long (147 cm), making it a versatile piece suitable for various styling options. The scarf features decorative half-wheel motifs that add visual interest and textural complexity to the finished garment.

Construction Technique

The Half Wheel Scarf employs a two-stage construction method. The main body of the scarf is worked lengthwise using one yarn, creating an elongated rectangular base. After completing the body, the half-wheel embellishments are added as a secondary step, utilizing the cast-on and bind-off tails from the initial construction. This approach allows for precise placement and integration of the decorative wheel elements into the finished scarf.

Stitches Used

Seed Stitch forms the primary fabric of the scarf body. This fundamental stitch pattern alternates knit and purl stitches both horizontally and vertically, creating a textured, reversible surface with excellent drape and flexibility. The seed stitch pattern is worked as follows: on right-side rows, knit one stitch then purl one stitch across the entire row; on wrong-side rows, reverse this sequence by purling one stitch then knitting one stitch.

Garter Stitch is used in the half-wheel pattern sections. This classic stitch, created by knitting every row, produces a bumpy, ridged fabric with good structure and elasticity.

Materials and Gauge

The Half Wheel Scarf requires two distinct yarn weights and corresponding needle sizes to achieve proper fabric characteristics:

• Yarn A: One 100g hank of Iro from Noro (discontinued). Recommended substitutes include Noro Kagayaki, Kiso, Shinryoku, or Taiyo. This yarn is worked on US 8 / 5 mm needles with a gauge of 14 stitches and 20 rows equaling 4 inches (10 cm) in seed stitch.
• Yarn B: One 50g ball of Silk Garden Lite from Noro. This yarn is worked on US 6 / 4 mm needles with a gauge of 24 stitches and 48 rows equaling 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch.

The use of two different yarn weights and needle sizes allows the designer to create distinct visual and textural zones within the scarf, with the lighter-gauge yarn forming the body and the smaller-gauge yarn creating the structured half-wheel details.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to tackle multi-yarn projects with sequential construction steps and gauge management across different needle sizes.