Soft Touch Scarf

Soft Touch Scarf by Kelene Kinnersly

Project Overview

The Soft Touch Scarf is a one-skein knitting project designed by Kelene Kinnersly that combines lace and textured elements into an elegant, wearable accessory. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a finished scarf measuring 78 inches by 8.5 inches after wet blocking, making it an ideal length for versatile styling. The design is specifically crafted for summer knitting and works beautifully as a stash-busting project, requiring only 360 yards of fingering weight yarn to complete.

What You'll Create

This pattern produces a lightweight scarf featuring a blend of lace and texture work. The scarf is knit on the bias, which creates an interesting diagonal construction that adds visual interest and helps the finished piece drape beautifully. The combination of lace openwork and textured stitches makes this scarf suitable for warm-weather wear while maintaining enough structure to hold its shape.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Soft Touch Scarf employs a simple two-row repeating pattern, making it accessible to knitters with intermediate experience, particularly those with some lace-knitting background. The pattern is classified as "Adventurous Beginner in Lace," indicating it introduces lace techniques in a manageable way. The bias construction method creates a diagonal knit that is both visually dynamic and structurally interesting.

The pattern is highly customizable. Knitters can easily adjust the scarf width by adding multiples of 3 stitches to the cast-on, allowing for personal preference in finished dimensions. For a lighter, airier appearance, knitters can increase their needle size by one or two sizes, though this adjustment will increase yarn yardage requirements.

Stitches Used

• Garter Stitch - forms the textured base with a gauge of 24 stitches over 4 inches after wet blocking
• Lace stitches - created using yarn overs (yo) for openwork
• Knit 2 together (k2tog) - decreases that balance the yarn overs in lace sections
• Knit (k) and Purl (p) stitches - fundamental stitches forming the pattern structure

Materials and Tools Required

Yarn: The pattern calls for 360 yards of fingering weight yarn (4-ply). The sample was knit using Euro Sock by MadTosh in the colorway Fragile, though any fingering weight yarn of similar yardage and fiber content will work.

Needles and Notions: A US size 6 (4 mm) long circular needle is recommended for comfortably holding the large number of stitches required for the scarf width. Additional materials include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and optional blocking wires to shape the scarf during wet blocking.

Finishing and Gauge

Wet blocking is essential for achieving the finished measurements of 78 inches by 8.5 inches. The pattern specifies a gauge of 24 stitches equals 4 inches in Garter Stitch after wet blocking. While the pattern notes that gauge is not overly critical to the project's success, variations in gauge will alter both the yardage required and the final dimensions of the completed scarf. Knitters working tighter or looser than the specified gauge should be prepared for these adjustments.

Skill Level and Pattern Difficulty

This intermediate-level pattern is designed for knitters with some experience, particularly those who have worked with lace stitches before. The simple two-row repeat makes the pattern easy to memorize and follow, reducing the need to constantly reference instructions. The straightforward construction and adjustable nature of the design make it an excellent project for knitters looking to build confidence with lace techniques while creating a beautiful, practical accessory.