Looking Forward Scarf: A Modern, Reversible Winter Scarf or Wrap
Looking Forward Scarf knitting pattern features a modern, triangle stitch pattern that is reversible.
The PDF pattern includes instructions for three sizes: two scarf sizes and a wide wrap or shawl. Use this pattern to knit a warm winter scarf or a cozy wrap for cool evenings. Any of these sizes would make a nice gift for women or men.
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Looking Forward Scarf knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio. The PDF pattern includes instructions for two scarf sizes and a wide wrap or shawl. Click here to buy the pattern.
This knitting pattern is suitable for confident beginners, as well as experienced knitters. The pattern uses only knit and purl stitches. You will need to feel comfortable reading a row by row knitting pattern and changing back and forth from knit to purl.
The triangle stitch pattern will show best with a solid color yarn.
If you are looking for a scarf or wrap knitting pattern for a multi-color yarn see my Quality Time Scarf or Room with a View knitting patterns.
Interested in a blanket knitting pattern? This stitch pattern is also featured in my Looking Forward Blanket knitting pattern.
Looking Forward scarf is easy to knit with worsted, heavy worsted or Aran weight yarn. I used Blue Sky Fibers Extra alpaca and wool yarn in the ‘Shale’ colorway. Click here to buy the pattern.
INSPIRATION FOR THE PATTERN NAME:
We experience all four seasons here in my hometown – Kansas City. In the summer it can be extremely hot and in the winter it can occasionally be quite cold. In between the extremes of temperature, there are days to look forward to during each season…
Right now the calendar is turning to spring and I am looking forward to blooming daffodils and tulips, flowering trees and pleasant days with bright blue skies. It’s time to clean up the garden and watch the plants emerge from the ground.
In the summer, warmer days are ideal for a picnic in the park, swimming at a pool, going to a Royals baseball game or getting together with friends for a backyard barbeque. (We love BBQ in Kansas City!)
When the days cool off in the fall, the wide variety of old trees in our city show off their autumn colors. Farms on the outskirts of the city offer u-pick pumpkins, apples and hayrides. It’s the perfect time for an evening by an outdoor fire with a cozy hand knit wrap or blanket.
Winter brings colder, shorter and quieter days. The occasional snowy day can be beautiful and peaceful. There are memories to be made if there’s enough snow for sledding or building a snowman. On the coldest winter days, hand knit scarves, hats, mittens, sweaters and blankets are used frequently and appreciated.
When knitting the 8-row repeat pattern in this design, the neatly arranged triangles appear as a reminder to keep looking forward to the memorable moments that each season brings.
REVERSIBLE SCARF & WRAP KNITTING PATTERN:
Looking Forward Scarf is completely reversible! The geometric triangle stitch pattern looks exactly the same on both sides.
The Looking Forward Scarf pattern is completely reversible. The repeating triangle stitch pattern looks exactly the same on both sides of the scarf. Click here to buy the pattern.
To keep track of the repeating stitch pattern, I used ring stitch markers. And, a clip on marker is helpful to keep track of the right vs. wrong side of the project.
The little round box of assorted colorful ring stitch markers (shown in the photo below) is made by cocoknits. Look for cocoknits stitch markers at local yarn shops or buy online from Jimmy Beans Wool. (Jimmy Beans Wool offers a wonderful selection of cocoknits knitting tools and notions.)
A few ring style stitch markers are helpful to keep track of the repeating stitch pattern. A clip on marker (shown in blue on the right) is handy for keeping track of the right vs. wrong side of the pattern.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THREE SCARF & WRAP SIZES:
Approximate sizes using Aran or heavy worsted weight yarn, after blocking...
Scarf: 8” wide x 69” long
Wide Scarf: 11” wide x 73” long
Wrap / Shawl: 16.5” wide x 66.5“ long
Finished size may vary depending on yarn weight and gauge used.
Any of the sizes may be made longer by adding pattern repeats. Each pattern repeat adds about 1.25” to the length of the project. Pattern includes estimates for additional yardage needed to make each size longer.
Click here to see all of my scarf and wrap knitting patterns.
ARAN #4 WEIGHT YARN:
Scarf: 420 - 435 yards
Wide Scarf: 610 - 630 yards
Wrap / Shawl: 840 - 870 yards
The stitch pattern will show up best with solid color yarns.
I used two skeins of Blue Sky Fibers Extra Aran weight yarn in the ‘Shale’ colorway to make the “scarf” size. This yarn is made from 55% baby alpaca and 45% fine merino wool… it’s every bit as soft as a knitter hopes it will be. The stitch definition is fantastic! Look for Blue Sky Fibers Extra yarn at local yarn shops or buy online from Jimmy Beans Wool.
Of course, the pattern will work well with other Aran or heavy worsted yarns. And, the pattern may be used with lighter weight yarn such as worsted or light worsted yarns.
Yarns with good stitch definition will show off the pattern best. And, be sure to use the needle size that gives the best appearance for your yarn.
Keep in mind that a lighter weight yarn will result in a narrower finished width. (The PDF pattern includes details about how to add stitches to adapt the width.) And, the project may require more (or less) yarn than noted.
BLOCKING HIGHLY RECOMMENDED:
For best appearance of this scarf project, blocking of finished knitting is highly recommended. The triangle stitch pattern shows up much more clearly after blocking. Click here to see all of my tips for blocking.
BEFORE BLOCKING: Before blocking the knitting bunched together and the triangle pattern was not very visible.
BEFORE BLOCKING: The triangle stitch pattern did not show up well. And, the garter stitch side edge did not lay flat.
AFTER BLOCKING (below): This scarf was completely transformed by blocking. The triangle stitch pattern is much more visible and attractive!
Before blocking my project measured about 6.5” - 7” wide x 66” long. After blocking the scarf measures 8” wide x 69” long. The width increased by at least one inch and the length increased by 3”.
Blocking trained the scarf to lay flat so the stitch pattern “pops” and the garter stitch border is neat and flat.
Looking Forward Scarf… after blocking. Blocking completely transformed this project! Click here to buy the pattern.
If the concept of blocking is new to you… it’s worth learning this new technique to improve the appearance of your finished knitting projects.
In simple terms, I soak the knitting in water, squeeze out the excess water and lay the knitting on a mat to dry. The key is to arrange the knitting carefully on the mat so it looks fabulous when dry. Blocking often transforms a project from “average” to professional and polished. Click here to see my step-by-step tips for blocking a scarf or blanket knitting project.
GAUGE:
Pattern stitch with US size 8 needles: approximately 17 stitches & 24 rows = 4”
The pattern instructions include directions for testing gauge using the stitch pattern.
Exact gauge is not essential. This stitch pattern will look best with fairly tight stitches.
KNITTING NEEDLES:
I used US size 8 knitting needles. The project is knit flat in one piece. Straight or circular needles can be used.
Before casting on for your project, do some test knitting with your yarn and knitting needles. (See the “Gauge” section in the pattern for details.) Choose the needle size that gives the best appearance with your yarn and your knitting tension. This design will look best with fairly tight stitches.
EASY KNITTING PATTERN:
This pattern is easy to knit for a confident knitter. The pattern uses only knit and purl stitches.
You will need to know how to cast on stitches, knit and purl confidently, read a row by row knitting pattern, bind off stitches and weave in ends.
Looking Forward Scarf knitting pattern by Fifty Four Ten Studio. Click here to buy the pattern.
Click here to see all of my knitting patterns!
WHERE TO BUY THE PATTERN:
On this website: Click here to buy the PDF pattern.
Ravelry: Click here to buy the pattern on Ravelry.
Thank you so much for your interest in my knitting patterns.
Hope you enjoy knitting today!
