Color Tipped Scarf
Come fall, I just know I will be that fumbling girl on the sidewalk, bag falling off my shoulder and coffee spilling on innocent passersby, as I gracelessly reach around for my trailing scarf… which has come unwrapped… again. Fess up! I know I’m not alone in this. I see fellow strugglers, cluelessly strutting about with their scarves dragging behind, picking up all the wonders of the city’s floor.
There is a science to securing a scarf. With neat triangular ends and a gently gripping garter stitch texture, this dapper Color Tipped Scarf longs to hold tight and budge-free! And not incidentally, the bright pointy tips provide a delightful pop of color, saving us all from too scientific an approach to scarf design!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 45 thoughtfully designed yarns in nearly every natural fiber and in every spectacular color you can imagine. Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn store, where every skein is created with care and your creativity in mind!
Knit up in Purl Soho’s new Worsted Twist, the Color Tipped Scarf is fantastically soft, hearty, and beautifully simple. Four skeins of Worsted Twist make one adult scarf OR two kids’ scarves. Create your own from our full palette of colors right here. Here’s to a fumble-free fall, enjoy! -Laura
Update: New Colors + Yarn
October 2014
Purl Soho welcomes twelve fresh colors to our palette and a brand new yarn to our collection, Worsted Twist Heather. Our new colors and new yarn come together here in our latest version of Color Tipped Scarves. For the full story and additional photos, click here!
Update: New Colors + Yarn
November 2017
Now knit up in Gentle Giant, our latest Color Tipped Scarves knit up fast at just 1½ stitches to the inch. Cast on a few stitches and before you know it, you’re binding off!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Laura Ferguson.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Want to print this pattern? On desktop, find the “print” icon in the right margin, and on mobile, scroll to the end of the pattern for it. Use the on-screen instructions to remove anything you don’t want to print!
Materials
To knit your own Color Tipped Scarf, you will need…
- 3 (4) skeins of Purl Soho’s Worsted Twist, 100% merino. Each skein is 164 yards/ 100 grams.
- Yarn A: 1 skein; approximately 30 (60) yards required.
- Yarn B: 1 (2) skein(s); approximately 164 (328) yards required.
- Yarn C: 1 skein; approximately 30 (60) yards required.
Choose from three colorways…
Yellow
- Yarn A: Yellow Yellow
- Yarn B: Oyster Gray
- Yarn C: Heirloom White
Anemone
- Yarn A: Timeless Navy
- Yarn B: Heirloom White
- Yarn C: Super Pink
Gray
- Yarn A: Oyster Gray
- Yarn B: Heirloom White
- Yarn C: Toasted Charcoal
You will also need…
- US 8 (5 mm), straight or circular knitting needles
Gauge
17 stitches = 4 inches in garter stitch
Sizes
For Kid (Adult)…
- Before blocking: Approximately 5½ (8) inches wide x 56 (79) inches long
- After blocking*: Approximately 5½ (8) inches wide x 58 (82) inches long
*Garter stitch has a tendency to “grow” with blocking and wear.
Pattern
Begin and Increase
With Yarn A, cast on 3 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
*Increase Row (right side): K1, knit one into front and back (k1fb), knit to end. (1 stitch increased)
Knit 3 rows.
Repeat from * 20 (31) more times. [24 (35) stitches]
Repeat Increase Row. [25 (36) stitches]
Knit 1 row.
Cut yarn.
Continue and Work Evenly
With right side facing, join Yarn B. Work evenly in garter stitch, knitting each row, for entire length of 1(2) skein(s), or desired length. End with a wrong side row so that when you add Yarn C, its tail will be on the same side as Yarn B’s tail.
Cut yarn.
Continue and Decrease
With right side facing, join Yarn C.
**Decrease Row (right side): Knit to last three stitch, k2tog, k1. (1 stitch decreased)
Knit 3 rows.
Repeat from ** 20 (31) more times. [4 stitches]
Repeat Decrease Row. [3 stitches]
Finish
Bind off.
Weave in ends and block.
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!
So lovely! I thibk I will try it soon…
I love this design! Could you post some pictures of how to wear it? I'm not sure what you mean by the "tuck" and I scrolled wanting to see a picture of it on a model!
Great scarf in garter stitch….my favorite.
It looks wonderful, well done on another fab project!! xo
So simple, yet quite compelling. I'm picturing all sorts of color combos.
I agree with Hannah. Please show on a model. (:
Yes! Lovely. But I would also like to see a picture of the 'tuck' you mention. Would be most helpful!
From the first picture I thought that each side had 2 points, that idea was lovely to me. One would have a "bunch" of points (4) in different colours together. And layed out it looks a bit like an alligators head, very appealing for boys. Thanks for the inspiration! (I to am puzzeled by the "tuck" by the way.) Have a lovely day.
Simone! That is a wonderful idea! An alligator, snake or DRAGON
Hanna + Anna + all…
We will get a picture up of the scarf on model or dress form as soon as we can! Thank you so much for your interest in the pattern and for commenting too.
Thanks.
Laura
Any chance you could make it a crochet pattern? I'm a terrible knitter but I love the scarf. Thanks x
I love the bold blocks of color and interesting pointy tips!
I think this scarf would be a fabulous gift for someone going off to college! A neutral around the neck, and the college's colors on the tips.
You can make it in a grassy green with double points at one end and then make a red felt tongue in between the points. And then crochet the backfinns over the middle in a darler green. The other side of the scarf ending in a single point. That would make it dragonlike without being glaringly obvious.
Have a wonderful day!
Child's size is adorable on an adult. Great, easy length to tie and jazz up a simple outfit!
I am not sure I understand the 'knit 3 rows'. In your pictures, it looks like a steady increase/decrease, but I feel like if you knit three rows, it would end up looking like stairs. Am I missing something here?
Hi Christianne,
That's a great thing to ask about… Because garter stitch has such a dense row gauge, working 3 rows between each increase/decrease still results in a fairly smooth edge. The pattern accurately reflects the pictured scarves.
Thanks for asking.
Laura
Love the scarf! Would love to know the length of the middle section for the adult scarf.
Hi Lynn,
Thanks! Glad you like it. The middle section of the adult scarf, before blocking, is approximately 49 inches long. The tails, before blocking, are approximately 15 inches long each.
Hope this helps.
Laura
I am new to knitting. Having trouble understanding the increase in the beginning of the pattern.
when you mean repeat: ( excerpt directly from the pattern)
*Increase Row (right side): K1, knit one into front and back (k1fb), knit to end. (1 stitch increased)
Knit 3 rows.
Repeat from * 20 (31) more times. [24 (35) stitches]
Am I doing the one stich increase and knitting 3 rows -31 more times?
or just the increase 31 more times ?
Also how do you get 35 stiches? Does it not increase to just 31 stiches as you increase every row from the 5 row onwards??
Please explain.
Thank you.
Hi Chicago,
You repeat everything from the *. In other words you repeat the Increase Row as well as the 3 knit rows.
You start with 3 stitches, then you work the Increase Row (giving you 4 stitches), then you are instructed to work the Increase Row + the 3 knit row 31 more times (31 + 4 = 35 stitches).
I hope this is clear. Please write back with any other questions you may have.
Thanks,
Laura
Thank you Laura!
Hi, I wanted to make this for my son. He wants it in green with orange tips. What yarn could I use and what modifications do I need to make to the pattern?
Thanks
Hi Lorri.
The yarn used here is a worsted weight yarn. Below are links to some other worsted weight yarns that have the color selections you're searching for. Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Laura
For Better or Worsted
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7913-Anzula-For-Better-or-Worsted
Cascade 220
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/649-Cascade-Yarns-Cascade-220
Maxima
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7529-Manos-Del-Uruguay-Maxima
Worsted Cotton
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/721-Blue-Sky-Worsted-Cotton
Kersti (this is a DK weight, but has wonderful colors)
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/870-Koigu-Wool-Designs-Kersti-Merino-Crepe-Solids
Hi Laura,
I got the Kersti yarn. Beautiful! But… It is so much thinner than the worsted. Do I still use the size 8 needles?
Thanks so much,
Lorri
Hi Lorri,
Kersti is a beautiful yarn indeed. I would definitely go down in needle size from what is suggested for the Worsted Twist since the yarn you are using is thinner. A US6 is recommended for that yarn. Make a small swatch to test your yarn with your needles to ensure you will end up with a fabric you like (not too loose or holy, not too tight or dense). You can check out a few posts we have on swatching here: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/knitting-tutorials-getting-rea/
Of course since your yarn is thinner, the gauge will change, but that just means the scarf will be a bit thinner.
Please let us know if you have any other questions.
Laura
Hi! I love this idea! Do you think this could work using miss stitch?
Hi Carla,
I am unfamiliar with "miss stitch". I would love to answer your questions though. Please write us back!
Laura
Hi laura,
Just love the scarves.Really pretty.Can you please tell me what size the hanks of yarn are..Regards Carol
Hi Carol-
All of the information on this yarn can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/9239-Purl-Soho-Worsted-Twist
Thank you for getting in touch!
Molly
Cute scarf! Now I know what to do with some of my leftover yarn! And maybe I'll have it done in time for this fall. 😉
I am knitting the color tipped scarf . although the photo is lovely, it doesn’t do justice to the scarf. Very pretty, easy to follow instructions
Fun knit. I love how it wraps. Thank you.
I would love to knit this in Super Soft Merino, which I know is heavier yarn – any hints you can give on adapting the pattern?
Hi Michele.
Fun idea!
In other garter stitch projects, people have been working the Super Soft Merino at 2 3/4 stitches to the inch. So to achieve the same width as the original (approximately 5 1/2 (8) inches wide), I would cast on the 3 stitches and follow the increase instructions until you have 15 (22) stitches.
With this thick yarn though, you may find it best to increase a few more stitches. The scarf would probably look great a few stitches wider in Super Soft Merino!
Thanks for writing in. Let us know how it goes.
Best,
Laura
I will, thanks so much!
When I saw this scarf I fell in love so I started mine today and I’m currently working on my main color portion. I can’t wait to finish and I hope to have many more cold days to wear it.
Hi! I am a beginning knitter and love this scarf and pattern. I am still ‘iffy’ on how my edges turn out on anything and I am wondering if you have some tips (no pun intended!) on how to manage the edges since they are especially important here since the decreases/increases on the tips really highlights them. I know on the Easy Lap Blanket the direx suggest slipping the first stitch of the row over to the other needle instead of knitting it so you get a smooth edge. Is that a technique that would work here too? Thanks — any help would be so welcome!!
Hi Lara.
Great question!
Typically when I work garter stitch flat (not in the round), I do slip the first stitch of each row knitwise. With this project though, I did not do anything special to the first stitch. If you find your edge stitches looking loose, you could definitely slip the first of each row. The edge along which you are increasing… it shouldn’t look loose because the increase will take some of the slack out of that first stitch. But slipping the first stitch is always an option!
Let us know how if goes and definitely write back if you have any questions.
Laura
Thanks and I just posted a followup question and info on the results.
Hi, how many yards is the worsted twist recommended? The link to it is dead. Would like to know how much yarn I need.
Thanks!
Hi Strix-
Sorry about that! Purlsoho.com was down yesterday so that’s why the link wasn’t working. It should be working fine now.
https://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/9239-Purl-Soho-Worsted-Twist
Each skein of Worsted Twist contains approximately 164 yards.
Thanks for getting in touch!
Molly
vorrei sapere quanti metri di lana occorre per queste bellissime sciarpe e la loro lunghezza
Hello Ines.
I think you’re asking how many meters are required? And the length? I am unable to respond in Italian, but here is the answer in English…
The smaller kids scarf requires approximately 27 meters for each end color and 150 meters for the center color, 204 meters total. And is 14 cm x 147 cm.
The larger adults scarf requires approximately 55 meters for each end color and 300 meters for the center color, 410 meters total. And is 20 cm x 208 cm.
I do hope this helps!
Laura
I love these! I was wondering about the length of the middle color section on the adult scarf. I saw in the comments it says 49″. I started making one, and it’s only half that length and looks really long….is it to be doubled around the neck? It would be awesome to see it on a model to know how to wear it and how long to make it. Thanks!
Hi Stacey…
Yes the center portion of the adult scarf is approximately 49 inches. The thought is that it can go around your neck once and then hang long in the front so it doesn’t un-wrap. While we do not have a photo of this scarf on a person, there are photos of it on our dress form. I hope they can give some indication of length and scale.
Thanks for writing in.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Laura
I love this so much. It’s absolutely gorgeous. It was so darn fun to knit too! Done scarves are so complicated that you get frustrated, and some are so simple you get bored. But this one is easy yet compelling, like you can watch tv but you don’t lose interest in knitting without doing something else at the same time to keep your attention. I finished it in two days, and it was awesome.
I have made two of these for quick gifts this holiday and they are beautiful and easy to make and very appreciated. I added a couple of extra color blocks (using yarn left over from first scarf) to the second scarf. I presented it today and it was warmly received (it’s finally cold!) and a mutual friend commented – “it’s so great, you could wear it to a BBQ or the Golden Globes”. First ever comment with those two events for a knitted item! Getting ready to make another, you never know when you’ll be going to a BBQ or the Golden Globes.
I absolutely love this scarf. It looks like there is an edge stitch to the straight edge. Do you just slip the first stitch every other row?
Thank you!
Anne
Hi Anne,
Thanks for writing in! We did not slip stitches at the beginning of each row for this pattern. I find that garter generally has a fairly neat edge. You can certainly slip the first stitch if you would like. Just be certain that if you do slip the first stitch on the increase rows, that instead of K1, k1fb, you slip 1 k1fb.
Happy knitting!
Cassy
How much is skein of yarn? How much is pattern.Love the orange and 2 other colors
Hi Helen,
Thanks for writing us! The yarn is $19.95 each skein and the pattern is free on the website! You can shop for the yarn here!
Best,
Adam
Beautiful design. Do you offer the pattern in crochet?
Hello Barbara,
Thanks for the nice comment! We do not offer a pattern in crochet but this is easy to convert. All you do is start with a few stitches in one color and increase until you have the width you desire and then switch to the center color. The second tip is then in the third color and is decreased to the point. I hope this helps and that you’ll crochet this scarf!
Best,
Adam
I want to make the color tipped scarf in Gray – Oyster Gray, Heirloom White and Toasted Charcoal. I want to knit a hat that will look good with the scarf. I am thinking the toasted Charcoal, but want the hat to compliment the scarf. Can you recommend a hat pattern and which of the three colors you think is best for the scarf?
Hi Emilee,
I love your color combination! I think that any one of those colors would work great as the matching hat. As far as a hat pattern that will compliment the scarf I would suggest Hat + Hand Warmers for Beginners as it is a garter hat that would match the texture of this scarf. As an alternate, the Garter Ear Flap Hat would also be a great option!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I cannot find the gray combo I want in a bundle/kit. Can you direct me to this set of three colors to order for this scarf – then I can choose the hat yarn. I like the Garter Ear Flap Hat!
Hi Emilee,
Thanks for writing in! Here is the link to the bundle for the Color Tipped Scarf: https://www.purlsoho.com/yarn-for-color-tipped-scarf.html
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Indeed it does! Next question – the garter ear flap hat calls for alpaca yarn. Can I order the merino wool used for the scarf or do I need to stick to the wool called for in the hat?
Hi Emilee,
You can certainly use Worsted Twist for the Garter Ear Flap Hat! Worsted Twist and Alpaca Pure come in at just about the same gauge so you can switch one out for the other without any modifications!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Perfect! I will place my order! Thank you for your help with this project, Cassy!
Thank you for your help with this project, Cassy!
What cable length circulars would you recommend for this?
Hi Brittany,
Great question! For this fun scarf, I would suggest that you use either a 16″, 20″ or 24″ circular needle. Any one of these will work well for this pattern without being too long or too short.
Happy knitting!
Cassy
I saw a scarf like this in a shop in Cologne. It was €250 in cashmere. I googled pointed end scarf and found this pattern. Unfortunately, customs charges stop me from ordering wool from the U.S.A. so I ordered cashmere from Lana Grossa and it is knitting up this pattern beautifully. My points are pale pink and the main scarf is pale grey. Thanks for the pattern.
Bought this bundle, I do not understand this part of the pattern below. Thank you for any help. I’m a visual learner and if there is a video, please let me know. Thank you! Thank you!
Repeat from * 20 (31) more times. [24 (35) stitches]
Repeat Increase Row. [25 (36) stitches]
Hi Nancy,
You will repeat the below sequence 20 or 31 more times depending on which size you’re making:
*Increase Row (right side): K1, knit one into front and back (k1fb), knit to end. (1 stitch increased)
Knit 3 rows.
You see “*” a lot in patterns because you will usually knit a set of directions and repeat from the “*” to the end of the sequence again. In this case you will do the increase row and then knit three rows for the first time and then repeat this four row sequence 20 or 31 more times. At the end of your 20 or 31 repeats you’ll repeat the increase row once more.
Best,
Adam
Please help. I have started over 20 times! My project has holes. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Norma,
Thanks for writing in! I am not quite sure what could be causing holes in your knitting. It is possible that you may be pulling a bit too tightly on your kdb. This could cause a hole to develop. I would be happy to take a look at a picture of the issue so that I could better understand what might be happening. Please feel free to email an image to us at [email protected]
Best,
Cassy
I just bought 3 skeins of cotton pure. Would that be enough yarn to make this scarf, or too much? How would you recommend dividing the colors? Would using each full skein and then switching to another work? Thank you.
Debra
Hi Debra,
Thanks for reaching out! To make this lovely scarf using Cotton Pure, you would need roughly 2 skeins on the main color in the middle and either 1 skein of each of the contrast colors or 1 skein of a single contrast color that will work for both tips. If you have 3 different colors and you would like to use them, I would suggest knitting a point, and then part of the middle section with one color, the rest of the middle of the second color and the remaining of the middle and the last point of the third color. Or you could knit the points in one color and stripe the other two for the middle. You will also need to regauge this project, picking a needle size that will work well with the Cotton Pure (perhaps a US 5). You would then knit each point until it measures 8 inches wide and continue on to the middle section.
I hope that this helps and happy knitting!
Cassy
Love this pattern! I just finished color A and am about to switch to color B. How do I tell which side is “right side facing”? I guessed, knitted a few rows and noticed there’s a visable line on the opposite side. Please advise. Thanks!
Hi Andrea,
Great question! Up until you switched colors, the scarf was completely reversible and there wasn’t really a right or wrong side. Now that you have switched colors, you will notice that the color change is neat and clean on one side, and a bit more staggered and mixed together on the other side. From now on, the side of the scarf with the neat and tidy color change is the right side, and the one with the not as neat and tidy color change is the wrong side. It doesn’t change much while you are knitting the body of the scarf, but when you join color C, you want to make sure you have the right side facing so that both color changes happen on the same side of the scarf.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
How do change colors with out the blimps
Hi Sandee,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately, due to the nature of knitting, it is unavoidable that color changes will have a right and wrong side and will always look a bit different on the wrong side. Usually, however, the difference is most notable to the knitter – admirers of your work sure won’t notice!
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
I would like to make this a lighter weight scarf. I am a petite woman so a worsted weight yarn can overpower me. What yarn would you suggest for a late summer/early fall scarf? What needle size would I use?
Hi Lynda,
Thanks for reaching out! I think Linen Quill on a US 4 would be an excellent alternative for this scarf! Due to the simple construction of this scarf, you can still knit it as written by continuing to work the “Begin + Increase” rows as long as you need to until the scarf is your desired width.
I hope that helps, and please do let us know how it turns out!
Julianna
Hi…
Love this pattern. Have made so many. Thank you
I have noticed that when I change colors, instead of straight knitting
I do a k1 p1 and the color difference blends in better and you really don’t notice that’s it not all knit..?
Thanks for this tip – much appreciated!
I love this pattern and scarf style and would like to purchase the “yellow colorway” but do not see it your online stock? Can you tell me when it will be available or a alternate yarn?
Thanks,
Maria
Hi Maria,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately Worsted Twist in Yellow Yellow and Oyster Gray have been discontinued – I’m so sorry about that! I would recommend substituting 1 skein of Linen Quill Worsted in Dandelion Yellow and 2 skeins of Worsted Twist in Ash gray.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Can I make this with the season alpaca? love the new matcha color but not sure how it would come out
Hi Erin,
You can absolutely use Season Alpaca to make this scarf! Since Season Alpaca is only a sportweight yarn though, meaning that it’s thinner than the worsted weight yarn used in the design, you’ll need to modify some of the stitch counts to make sure the scarf comes out to the correct dimensions.
To figure out your stitch count for the end of the BEGIN + INCREASE section, you will want to first knit a gauge swatch in pattern with Season Alpaca. Once you know how many stitches you are getting per inch, you can multiply that number by the width that you would like and increase until you hit approximately that number. Other than that, you can follow the pattern as written!
All the best,
Lili
Hi,
I used some leftover yarn in combination with the recommended yarn. What do you recommend the finish length to be?
Thanks,
Emily
Hi Emily,
We love to hear you are using leftover yarns! We are always big fans of that! The finished dimensions of this pattern are 5 1/2 by 58 inches for the child size and 8 x 82 inches for the adult size. I hope this helps but let me know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella
Just a clarification please – does one knit an additional 3 rows after each increase/decrease row?
Hi Deepika,
That is correct! You will work rows 4 rows total and increase or decrease on row 1. Rows 2, 3, & 4 will be plain knit rows. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella