Color Change Scarf
Purl Soho’s most subtle yarns come from Habu Textiles. They tend to be extremely fine and very delicately colored. They also tend to leave customers scratching their heads, “I LOVE this yarn, but what can I possibly make with it?” A great answer has been Habu’s all white Kusha Kusha Scarf pattern, but, for this project, I wanted to also engage with Habu’s amazing spectrum of colors.
I envisioned a scarf that would shift from one color to the next, making a beautiful color journey from one end of the scarf to the other. Joelle, with her unique genius for color, picked these five Fine Merinos. While knitting, my excitement grew and grew as I introduced each new color. More like painting with watercolors than knitting with yarn, it was a fascinating process!
This simple lace ladder stitch is a perfect antidote to such fine yarn. With only two easy rows to memorize and so much open lace work, you’ll be surprised how quickly you fly through this scarf. The result is a perfect accessory for fall that will inspire you every day! -Whitney
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Whitney Van Nes.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, and #PurlSohoColorChangeScarf. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
5 cones of Habu Textile’s Fine Merino, 100% Merino Wool yarn. We used the following colors…
- Color A: # 3042
- Color B: # 3044
- Color C: # 3046
- Color D: # 3043
- Color E: # 3055
You will also need…
- A US 7 (4.5 mm) 24-inch circular needle. We used (and really recommend!) a Skacel Addi Lace needle for this project. With sharper points than the traditional Addi Turbos, these needles make knitting with fine yarn much easier. They also have a slightly stickier shaft for keeping slippery yarns in control.
NOTE: These five cones are enough for two identical scarves. Or, for four or five different scarves, switch the colors around so that the lesser used colors become the greater used colors. It will be so interesting to see the changes!
Shop our wonderful collection of lace-weight yarn to find a suitable substitute for this project, and remember that it’s always a good idea to check your gauge before you cast on… Our All About Gauge Tutorial shows you how!
GAUGE
36 stitches = 4 inches in lace pattern
SIZE
8 inches wide x 66 inches long
Note
Throughout this pattern you will be knitting with two yarns at the same time. One yarn will always be COLOR A and the other yarn will change from B to C to D to E, as instructed in the pattern.
Pattern
Holding COLOR A and COLOR B together, cast on 72 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Rows 1-4: Knit
Row 5 (right side): K4, *k2tog, yarn over (yo) twice, ssk, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4.
Row 6 (wrong side): K5, *(k1, p1) into the 2 yo’s from the previous row, k2, repeat from * to last 3 stitches, k3.
Repeat Rows 5 and 6 until piece measures 12 inches from the cast on row (always end each color section with a wrong side row). Cut COLOR B and join COLOR C (so that you are now knitting with A and C).
Continue to repeat Rows 5 and 6 until the second section of color measures 15 inches. Cut COLOR C and join COLOR D.
Repeat Rows 5 and 6 until the third section of color measures 18 inches. Cut COLOR D and join COLOR E.
Repeat Rows 5 and 6 until the fourth and final section of color measures 20 3/4 inches, ending with a wrong side row.
Knit 3 rows.
Cast off very loosely (use a needle one or two sizes bigger if you have to).
Cut both yarns.
Weave in the ends and lightly block your scarf. It may grow a little bit, but it will be wonderfully flat and soft!
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our free knitting patterns and knitting tutorials, buy one of our many knitting kits and yarn bundles, and shop for beautiful yarn. We have over 35 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 100’s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
This is beautiful! It would be great if Joelle could put together some kits for those of us that are color challenged.
Orange-red
green-blue
purple-grey
whitney … i think that habu fine merino will “spit splice” beautifully on the color changes and then only the beginning and ending tails at the bottom and top of the scarf have to be put away … it's lovely indeed!
I may be overlooking it, but I'm not seeing Color C on the shop page? Thanks!
Hi Em,
We have more on the way, it should be here very soon! We were planning to supplement our website's inventory with our shop's inventory, but unfortunately this weekend there was a big water leak in our building and this color was damaged. If you'd like us to notify you when this color comes in, please send us an email at this link:
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/contact
I would love to see other colorways suggested – perhaps using some of the blues and grays. Since the colors on the monitor may not be true, this would be very helpful.
Hi Scottlaw,
We're definitely going to do this, stay tunned!
i was hoping for just the same, blues and grays or greens. all of the colors are beautiful, though.
I love this scarf. It would be fabulous for xmas presents. I do hate weaving in the ends and they always pop out on me! What is spit splice? I think doing a scarf in pinks, greens and blues and beiges would probably work as well. The colors on the website look terrific. Is it really soft? My children don't like itchy scarfs.
… google “spit splice yarn” and you'll get even youtube help … or read here … http://morcatknits.typepad.com/spitsplicing/2005/03/or_how_to_join_.html … happy days …
Whenever I try to work this out it comes out wrong. I feel like it should only be k3 at the end of the wrong side. It's a four stitch repeat going both ways, so I'm wondering how it can be four and five stitches on either end. I know I'm probably missing something here. Any advice?
Thanks,
Thanks for sharing!
This is lovely! I'm a definitely going to try this, probably in teal – darker blue for myself and a whole rainbow of colours for other people!! Thank you.
Will you let us know when you have these colors in stock? I don't believe any of the colors are available any longer on your site…Thanks!
I made this scarf for a friend and I absolutely love it! I made it in blues and greens — you can see my blog post about it right here:
http://transcraftinental.blogspot.com/2011/01/scarf-for-katie.html
This would be a fantastic project for spring. I hope you guys still plan on posting other colorways and soon! Thanks.
I am looking forward to knitting this scraf, I have never used this fine of yarn any securet that would be usefull?
I'm rather new to knitting and am completely lost on one piece of the instructions on Row 5: “(k1 p1) into the 2 yo's from the previous row.” The previous row, however, was straight knitting. And if the instructions mean to knit into previous wrong side row, how do I do that? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
HI Lisa,
The instructions you quote are actually from Row 6. In Row 5 you yarn over twice so that in Row 6 you can “(k1,p1) into the 2 yo's from the previous row”.
I hope this gets you on your way and good luck!
Whitney
Hello,
I'm a novice at knitting, and do not know how to use circular needles. I love this scarf. I have tried using circular needles, and I always want to throw them across the room, and give up. Can I use ordinary knitting needles? If not, could you explain to me why I would use circular needles to make a scarf? All information is appreciated! Thank you.
Did Purl Bee, perhaps, put together kits of this with other colors? blues/greens, purple/grey, etc? I can't wait to start this one.
Hi Christina-
We did not make kits out of these but we would be happy to help you put something together over the phone if you have some colors in mind. Our number is 800-597-PURL.
Thank you!
Molly
Help….Love the color-change scarf as depicted in the picture, HOWEVER, in making a sample with fewer sts (18) did not come out. Would you be able to let
me know what the multiples of might be…plus any additional sts. I tried and tried; did not come out. thanks!
Yes, I would like to know the stitch multiple, too. I'd like to make a skinnier scarf since I have less yarn than I would like to knit this. Thanks. 🙂
Hi Liz and Valerie-
I'm almost positive that it''s a multiple of 12 stitches. Let me know if that doesn't work, but it should!
Good luck and thanks for asking!
Whitney
I love this scarf. However, I'm allergic to wool — is there anything else I could use?
Hey Mary… have you checked out Purl's other lace weight yarns? ( https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/3-knitting-crochet-yarn?filters%5B%5D=2 ). I think Habu's Silk Stainless would be beautiful. As would the Linen Stainless. You could even mix and match them to get a beautiful gradient. -Laura
In your directions-Row 5, what does “ssk” stand for? Thank you
Hi Lydia-
SSK stands for slip, slip, knit. An explanation can be found by clicking on the red “SSK” within the pattern. That will take you to our decrease tutorial, which you can also access here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/decrease-tutorial/
Thank you!
Molly
I think it's a shame this yarn is no longer available. they don't have enough colors to have the right effect . Only one or two colors in a colorway.
Is there a yarn in another brand that would work?
Hi Lenore,
A full selection of Habu Fine Merino is on order, and we're just waiting for it to come in! If you would like to be contacted as soon as it becomes available, please email [email protected].
If you'd like to get started right away, a couple of other great options would be Anzula's Wash My Lace (https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7270-Anzula-Wash-My-Lace) or Swans Island's Lace (https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/8950-Swans-Island-Lace). And if you'd like some help putting a palette together please feel free to either call our New York store (212 420-8796) or our web site (800 597-7875) where someone would be happy to be your eyes!
Thanks for your question and please let us know if you have more!
Whitney
I guess I'm an “advanced beginner,” so I expected some snafus along the way. Well, color me happy — I sailed through this darling scarf! Of course, cheating was involved as I only worked with one strand of yarn rather than two. I used a varigated worsted bamboo in fuschia, teal, purple and orange, very saturated and bright colors. And the sheen of the bamboo really made it come alive. Thanks bunches for this pattern.
Kaye
Beautiful Question: Is there a way that you can knit this scarf on straight needles? I can't seem to use circular needles. How would you adjust the pattern for straight needles.?
Thanks
Hi Joyce-
Yes, you can use straight needles. No adjustment is needed.
Thank you!
Molly
hi there i like to knit the color change scarf .were can ifind the yarn and the right colors .thankyou ,lina, from woodbridge ontario canada.
i like to make the color change scarf where do i buy the wool .thankyou .lina .from woodbridge ontario canada .
Hi Lina-
If you email customerservice AT purlsoho DOT com our website will be happy to help you with this!
Thank you!
Molly
This is a beautiful pattern. Would you, by any chance, know the approximate yardage of yarn needed? I was thinking of knitting it in a solid color or with pooling.
Thank you!
I can't find a link that says to print the pattern, so when I try to print it the whole thing is printed including the comments. The print is so small and light that I can't see it and I have a new cartridge of ink.
Hi Sarah,
Sorry for the delay in answering you; we had to track down the original scarf and weigh it! Anyway, turns out, you'll need about 800 yards of laceweight yarn to make this scarf.
Thanks for asking and please let us know if you have any other questions!
Whitney
Hi! Beautiful scarf!
I have attempted starting this project but my cast on does not seem to look as tidy as yours. I have been using the long tail cast on. Could you tell me, when casting on, were your stitches fairly tight or more on the loose side? I've tried both – tighter seems to be difficult to knit and looser looks sloppy with such fine yarn. Maybe I just need to keep going a few inches for the shape to form? Thank you!
Hi! Beautiful scarf!
I have attempted starting this project but my cast on does not seem to look as tidy as yours. I have been using the long tail cast on. Could you tell me, when casting on, were your stitches fairly tight or more on the loose side? I've tried both – tighter seems to be difficult to knit and looser looks sloppy with such fine yarn. Maybe I just need to keep going a few inches for the shape to form? Thank you!
Hi Olivia,
I almost always use a long tail cast on and cast on pretty loosely, regardless of the yarn. By "pretty loosely", I mean that I always make sure that my stitches can slide easily across the needle and that I can effortlessly fit the point of the other needle under each stitch.
I do think you should give your cast on a chance by knitting a few rows, because as you suggest, things can tidy up as you go!
Please let us know if you're still unhappy with your start and we'll try to get it right! Thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney
What weight of yarn could be substitued instead of using this very thin lacy with t colors, I just wondered what would be the alternative?
Hi Peg,
I'm not sure I totally understand your question, but if you're asking what other yarns you could use to make this scarf, the answer would be absolutely any! Since a scarf doesn't have to fit exactly, you can use whatever weight or fiber yarn you'd like. If you're asking something about colors or if I didn't answer your question about weights, please write back and let us know. I'd be happy to try again!
Whitney
This scarf is absolutely beautiful!! I noticed in the directions that you say it will be 8 inches wide. I am a beginner at knitting but it seems like if you cast on 72 stitches, that the scarf would be quite wide. The size of 8 in. wide would be perfect for what I want . Can you help me with understanding this measurement?
HI JaneCalif-
The gauge for this project is 9 stitches per inch, meaning that using this (very thin) yarn and the appropriate needles in the stitch pattern you should be getting 9 stitches per inch. So 72 stitches will yield an 8 inch scarf. (72 divided by 9= 8)
If you're a beginner this probably isn't the best scarf to start with since it's so thin and lacy. You might want to look at all of our scarves to find something in a bigger gauge. https://www.purlsoho.com/create/scarves-shawls-and-cowls-knitt/
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
When you say k1,p1 in the 2 yos, do you mean k1,p1in each yo or one of the two in each yo? I absolutely love the scarf.
Hi Ellen,
Good question! You knit the first yarn over and purl the second. I hope this helps you get started, Please let us know if you have any other questions along the way!
Whitney
Stitch pattern is multiples of 4 with k4 at beginning and end of each row (RS and WS). With co of 72 there are 16 repeats +8.
Hi anne Jacks,
Please let us know if you have any questions about the stitch multiple or the number of repeats!
Thanks!
Whitney
Just made a scarf like this . It’s beautiful. I’ve never blocked anything lace before , and I wondered if you had some advice on the long edges . I’ve got a wire set, pins and a blocking board, but I’m puzzled as to how many stitches to try to put on the wire, or how many I should be trying to open up. Do I try to grab the same loop in every stitch? That would take forever(!).
Thank you
Hi Kim!
I’ve often blocked lace without any pins, board or wires, but they certainly can help get things in a perfect straight line!
If you do not want a picot (pointed) edge, then you will want to use the pins very often on the edge, or thread the wired through many stitches. You don’t need every single row or stitch, but at least every 1/2 inch to every inch.
-Thomas
Thomas,
Thank you so much for your advice. It’s been lying there on my ironing board waiting for me to gather the nerve. I’m think I’m going to tackle it today.
Kim
I would like to make this scarf in a DK or worsted and not change colors…would I still cast on 72 or less?
Thanks so much
Hi Deb-
It would probably be less. You should do a little gauge swatch, approximately 4-inches square, to figure out how many stitches you are going to get per inch and then multiply that number by 8 (inches) which is the desired width, and round to the nearest multiple of 12 to get your cast on number.
Please let us know if you have any more questions and thanks for getting in touch!
Best-
Molly
Since the MC is used for the entire scarf won’t I need to purchase more than one cone of that color? I don’t want to run out of the MC then have to try and find it again. THANKS
Hi Jean-
The materials listed on this project are correct. You only need one cone of the main color. Each cone has over 700 yards so you won’t run out!
Thanks for your question!
Molly
I want to use one colorway of yarn, how many yards do I need? Thank you.
Sandi
Hello Sandi!
Judging from other knitter’s finished scarves, you will need no more than 400 yards to complete the scarf in total.
Happy Knitting!
-Alyson
I am going to knit this scarf using only one color of lace weight yarn.
Do I still knit with two strands at a time?
Hello Nancy,
Thank for the great question! Yes, in order to achieve the proper gauge you will need to hold your lace weight yarn double. I recommend doing a little gauge swatch since all yarns are a little different and don’t always achieve the same gauge.
Please let us know if you have anymore questions!
Happy Knitting,
Jake
Hi, this pattern looks simple enough for an advanced beginner such as myself. Can you clarify “knitting with two yarns at the same time”? Do you basically hold both yarns and knight as if they were one strand?
Thanks!
Hi Nang,
Thanks for commenting! You are absolutely right, when we hold two yarns together you treat them as if they’re one yarn.
Happy Knitting!
Jake
where will I find the yarn to buy living in Sterling Hts Mi.
Hello Jutta!
The yarn for this pattern is available for purchase here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/2980-Habu-Textiles-Fine-Merino
Thanks for writing in! -Alyson
Hi Jutta-
We sell the yarn and we ship everywhere! You can click on any of the links in the “Materials” section to get to the yarn.
Thanks for getting in touch!
Best-
Molly
I live in Canada and would like to know where I can purchase this yarn or could you tell me of a substitute yarn I can buy in Canada. Thanks
Hi Carolyn-
I’m not sure if you can buy this in Canada but we ship all over the world! Here is a link to our international shipping page. https://www.purlsoho.com/shipping
Or, if you’d like to substitute you can use any smooth lace weight yarn.
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
I love this scarf! However I would classify myself as an advanced beginner. Would this be appropriate for me? I would really like to knit a lighter weight lacy scarf like this one to wear at work (especially looking forward to spring). I just want to make sure before I buy the yarn that it isn’t too hard. Or would you have an alternative I should consider?
Hello, Sue!
Thank you so much for writing in! Sorry about the delayed response! I think that as an advanced beginner you could easily handle this pattern, however, many folks have said that the wool we used for this project is quite tricky to work with. If you really like this, I say go for it, just proceed with caution. Otherwise, I recommend our Checkerboard Lace Scarf. You could easily substitute the wool with a cotton or linen to make it more appropriate for warmer temperatures. I recommend Cascade’s Ultra Pima (https://www.purlsoho.com/yarn/knitting-crochet/ultra-pima.html) or even Habu’s Gima (https://www.purlsoho.com/yarn/knitting-crochet/wide-gima-n-100.html). Whatever you choose, just be sure to knit a gauge swatch to make sure that you get the right gauge. If you have further questions, please let us know!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
I have some lace weight alpaca. Would this work instead of the merino? Thanks.
Hello, Karen!
Thank you so much for writing in! Sorry for the delayed response! I think your lace weight alpaca would work just fine for this scarf. Your lace weight alpaca might have a heavier gauge than the fine merino we used so, I recommend doing a test swatch to see how it looks in the alpaca. If you like it, I’d follow the pattern as written. If it comes out a little bit larger you could experiment using a different number for the cast on or dropping a needle size. Please keep us updated on your progress!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
If making this with fingering weight yarn, will I still need about 400 yards? And will I need to use 2 strands together or can I just use the single strand?
What about using sport weight yarn?
Thank you.
Hello, Carla!
Thank you for writing in! Sorry for the delayed response! If you make this with fingering or sport weight yarn you can hold the yarn single stranded. I recommend making a test swatch of the pattern using both yarns to see if you like the look of it and to help you figure out how many stitches you’ll need to cast on. Since you are planning on using a larger gauged yarn for this scarf you’ll use less than 400 yards.
Best wishes,
Kumeko
What does ssk mean!
Hello, Cecile!
Thank you for your question! SSK stands for Slip, Slip, Knit. It is a type decrease stitch. We’ve got a great tutorial here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2013/08/13/slip-slip-knit-ssk/ on the SSK. If you have further questions, please let us know! Again, thank you for writing in!
Best wishes,
Kumeko
If I want to make this into a loop would I do this?
1. Provisional cast on
2. Knit maybe just one or two rows before starting lace pattern
3. Follow lace pattern. Proceed to end, ending with one row of knit.
4. Pick out the provisional cast on to get live stitches and then graft the ends together (like on the Churchmouse Mohair loop or similar).
Any cautions about this approach?
Thanks!
Hi Jenny,
Great question! Your plan sounds spot on! You could also knit the scarf as written and whip stitch the ends together. It will not be seamless as your plan is but the seam should be minimal given that the yarn used is quite thin. Either way, I think it will come out great!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I received an email today that had the instructions for making the beautiful scarf shown above, however living in South Florida I find that the yarns you are using can tend to be quite warm in most places. What other lightweight yarns would you recommend using instead, as well as using just a MC and perhaps one other color to carry along instead of so many other color changes.
Hello Suzanne,
Thank you for writing in. I’m happy to hear that you were inspired by this scarf pattern. When it comes to substituting yarns all you need to do is make sure you are getting the correct gauge. I think that Habu’s Linen Wrapped Silk could work. I believe you only need 400 yards of lace weight yarn to complete this scarf so you would only need 2 cones. If you wanted to make this scarf with a single strand, as opposed to holding 2 strands, you could use our Linen Quill or our Cattail Silk.
As always you will want to be sure to knit a gauge swatch before getting started. Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I would like to make this pattern just as pictured with the five color changes, but I’m finding the yarn is not available, nor have I found easy substitutions. Please advise.
Thank you.
Hi Susan,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately we no longer carry Habu Fine Merino; however, I think you could substitute our Line Weight in Peony Pink, Red Pine, Pink Apricot, Kiln Red, and Autumn Oak to create a very similar look!
Best,
Julianna
Thanks again for this lovely pattern. When working the 2 yarnovers, k1, p1, do you mean k1 in the first yo, and p1 in second yo?
Thanks,
Karen Thiemermann
Hi Karen,
Thank you so much for your question! Yes, you are correct, you will knit 1 into the first yarn over and purl 1 into the second yarn over.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Hi,
I have just downloaded your Colour Change Scarf. I would like to be sure before I start knitting that I’m doing it correctly. Row 5 is
yarn over twice then next stitch slip, slip , knit. It just looks a little strange on the needle.
With thanks
Gill
Hi Gill,
Thanks for your question! Yes, that’s correct! Row 5 is, “Row 5 (right side): K4, *k2tog, yarn over (yo) twice, ssk, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, k4,” so you are yarning over twice when doing the instructions inside the asterisks! On the next row, you will k1 and p1 into the yarn overs from the previous row. I hope this helps, and please let us know if you have any other questions!
All the best,
Cat