Penn State University Scarf

Penn State University Scarf by knitvana

What Is Being Made

The Penn State University Scarf is a beginner-level knitted scarf featuring decorative paw pad appliqués. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a finished scarf with white yarn as the primary fabric and navy yarn accents in the form of sewn-on paw pads, making it a themed accessory perfect for university fans or animal lovers.

Materials Required

The scarf is constructed using two skeins of Patons® Classic Merino Wool Yarn in white for the main body. Additional materials include a few yards of very thin wool yarn in navy for the decorative paw elements. Bamboo needles in size #7 are used for knitting the scarf body, while bamboo needles in size #0 are used for the smaller paw pad components. Standard sewing supplies are needed to attach the finished paw pads to the completed scarf.

Techniques Used

This beginner-friendly pattern employs several fundamental knitting techniques. The scarf construction involves casting on to create the initial stitches and working in rows using slip stitches at the edges for neat selvage finishing. The pattern incorporates lace-work elements created through yarn overs and slip stitches that produce an openwork texture. The paw pads are knitted separately as individual components and then sewn onto both sides of the finished scarf, combining knitting and basic hand-sewing skills.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K) — the foundational stitch for the scarf body
• Purl stitch (Perl) — used for edge finishing and texture variation
• Yarn Over (YO) — creates decorative holes and lace patterns throughout the scarf
• Slip stitch (Slip) — used for edge stitches and as part of the lace pattern repeats
• Knit Two Together (K2tog) — a decrease stitch that works in combination with yarn overs to form the openwork lace design

Pattern Structure

The scarf begins with 23 cast-on stitches worked on size #7 bamboo needles. The pattern establishes a rhythm of alternating rows: odd rows and even rows follow different stitch sequences to create the lace pattern. Row 1 introduces the yarn over and slip stitch combination. Rows 2 through 14 continue the lace pattern with alternating sequences of yarn overs, slip stitches, and knit two together decreases. After knitting several inches of this openwork texture, the pattern transitions to a flat area designated for paw placement. The paw pads themselves—consisting of 4 center paw pads and 16 finger paw pads—are knitted separately on the smaller size #0 needles using the thin navy yarn, then carefully positioned and sewn onto both sides of the completed white scarf.

Pattern designed by knitvana and copyrighted by Melenar, LLC in 2008.