Redfern Scarf

Redfern Scarf by Emily J. Designs

What is Being Made

The Redfern Scarf is an elegant knitted accessory designed by Emily Johannes. This finished scarf measures 4.5 inches wide by 60 inches long (11.5 cm × 152.5 cm), making it a versatile piece suitable for various styling occasions. The scarf is worked on the bias, a construction technique that creates superior drape and a graceful, flowing appearance when worn.

Craft and Construction Technique

This project is created using the knitting craft. The bias construction method is a key feature of this design—by working the scarf diagonally rather than straight across, the knitter achieves a fabric with exceptional fluidity and movement. This technique is particularly effective for scarves as it allows the finished piece to drape beautifully around the neck and shoulders. The pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques.

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The Redfern Scarf features a fern lace stitch as its primary pattern element. This decorative stitch creates an openwork design characteristic of lace knitting. The pattern utilizes several fundamental knitting techniques and abbreviations:

• Knit (K) – the basic knit stitch
• Purl (P) – the basic purl stitch
• Yarn over (Yo) – creates the decorative eyelets and openwork characteristic of lace patterns
• Ssk (slip, slip, knit) – a left-leaning decrease worked by slipping 2 stitches individually knitwise, then knitting them together through the back loop
• K2tog (knit 2 together) – a right-leaning decrease that combines 2 stitches into 1
• M1R (make 1 right increase) – an invisible increase worked by picking up the bar between 2 stitches from back to front and knitting through the front loop

The pattern includes a fern lace repeat worked from a chart, which provides a visual representation of the stitch pattern across the rows. The cast-on begins with 33 stitches, followed by 1 knit row before the fern lace repeat pattern begins.

Materials: Yarn and Needles

The Redfern Scarf is designed to be worked in sport or 4-ply weight yarn. The pattern is shown using Plymouth Yarns Electra Lite in the colorway Ruby. This yarn offers 425 yards (389 meters) per 100-gram skein (3.5 ounces), requiring only 1 skein to complete the project. The fiber content is 75% merino wool, 20% nylon, and 5% metallic, providing a blend of warmth, durability, and subtle shimmer.

Knitting needles required are US 6 (4mm) or the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 32 rows over 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for obtaining the correct finished dimensions and drape of the scarf.

Design Flexibility

The pattern offers customization options for knitters seeking different dimensions. For a wider scarf, the designer recommends substituting sport or DK weight yarn, which would result in a larger finished piece while maintaining the same stitch pattern and construction method.