Snow Tracks Scarf
Remember the Robert Frost classic, Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening? Our Snow Tracks Scarf reminds us of that poem’s lovely mood, the hushed silence of a winter wood and “the sweep of easy wind and downy flake.”
With its animal-track texture and cushion-y depth, this scarf really is like a thick blanket of snow, except that in our Gentle Giant 100% merino wool it’s super warm and cozy! We chose Heirloom White for the ultimate in snowiness, but our palette of unusual colors means you can choose from a wide range of moods.
A very simple pattern creates the Snow Tracks Scarf’s inimitable texture. A mock cable stitch, there’s no fussing around with a cable needle, and our new Elongated Mock Cable Stitch video tutorial shows you just how to do it!
On US 17 needles, you can easily whip up this lovely, long wraparound in time for the next snowstorm… and for a quiet communion with nature!
If you love the yarn used in this project, you’ll love all of our other yarn, too! Explore our 35+ lovingly created yarn collections, in nearly every natural fiber and spectacular color you can imagine… Only available here at Purl Soho’s online yarn shop!
Designed by Purl Soho designer, Jake Canton. Click here to see even more of Jake’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoSnowTracksScarf, and #PurlSohoGentleGiant. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Materials
- 4 skeins of Purl Soho’s Gentle Giant, 100% merino wool yarn. Each skein of this super bulky yarn is 48 yards/ 125 grams; Approximately 185 yards required. We used Heirloom White.
- US 17 (12mm) straight or circular needles
Gauge
8 stitches and 8 rows = 4 inches in Elongated Mock Cable Stitch
Size
Finished Dimensions: 8½ inches wide x 72 inches long
Notes
For a demonstration on how to work this stitch pattern, please watch our Elongated Mock Cable Stitch video tutorial.
Pattern
Using Long Tail Cast On, cast on 18 stitches.
Row 1 (wrong side): Slip 1 knitwise with yarn in front, p3, *yarn over, p2, repeat from * to end of row. [25 stitches]
Row 2 (right side): Slip 1 purlwise with yarn in back, k1, *let yarn over fall off needle, knit second stitch on left-hand needle through the back loop, leaving stitch on needle, knit first stitch on left-hand needle and let both stitches fall off needle, repeat from * to last 2 stitches, k2. [18 stitches]
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures about 72 inches from cast-on edge, ending with a right-side row.
Bind off loosely purlwise and weave in ends.
LEARN ABOUT GENTLE GIANT + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
You can’t get more gentle or more giant than Gentle Giant! A single ply of 100% merino wool, Gentle Giant has a loose and lofty spin that puts the fiber’s softness up front and also keeps this jumbo-weight yarn from weighing you down. You knit Gentle Giant up on mega US 17 or 19 (12-15 mm) knitting needles, making it a very smart choice for last-minute gifts that don’t sacrifice a lick of beauty!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our vast collection of (mostly free!) Gentle Giant knitting patterns and cast on!
More Jumbo-Weight Yarns
- Shop our collection of jumbo-weight yarns
- If you want to use a different yarn, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial!
More Yarns With Similar Fibers
- Shop merino wool
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!
Do you have a crochet pattern?
Hi Rosemary,
Thanks for writing in! At present this pattern is only available as a knit pattern! We will certainly keep your kind request in mind!
Best,
Cassy
This looks gorgeous! Is the elongated mock cable stitch suitable for very thick yarns only or does it look pretty with average sized yarns as well?
Hi Viviane,
Great question! I just worked up a little swatch using DK weight wool and it looks quite nice. I would say that the smaller you go, the less the texture pops. I would say that for sport weight on up, it looks quite nice and below that, the stitch pattern looks good but is a bit harder to see the work! I’d grab some scarp yarns and needles and give it a go!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Could this pattern and yarn be adapted to a throw? If so, do you suggest using a larger needle? What would be the dimensions and suggested number of skeins of yarn?
Thanks!
Hi Mary,
Thanks for writing in! You certainly can use this stitch pattern to make a throw! The stitch pattern works for any even number of stitches over 8 stitches (e.g. 56 or 58 or 128 stitches, etc.). You will certainly need a longer needle but I would maintain the size of needle. If you were to make a throw of about 50″ x 65″, I would suggest a needle cable size of 47″ and a cast on of 100 stitches. You will need 22 skeins of our Gentle Giant for a throw of this size!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I like this Mock Cable stitch very much, but I’m tired of super chunky scarves. Do you have a pattern using the stitch with worsted or lighter weight yarn? Does the stitch only work with heavy weight yarn?
Hi June,
Thanks for writing in! You certainly can use different weight of yarn to knit this stitch pattern! I just worked up a little swatch using DK weight wool and it looks quite nice. I would say that the smaller you go, the less the texture pops. I would say that for sport weight on up, it looks quite nice and below that, the stitch pattern looks good but is a bit harder to see the work! I’d grab some scarp yarns and needles and give it a go!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
This is so lovely! It’s burrow in and knit time! Thank you!
Julie
Can the stitch pattern be adapted to in the round?
Hi Jean,
Thanks for reaching out! I think you could certainly adapt this stitch to be worked in the round! It may take a bit of trail and error since we only offer written instruction for working this flat, however I think it should be fairly easy to adjust, just be sure to keep in mind that you will only be working over the right side of the fabric!
Please let us know how this turns out!
Warmly,
Gianna
What ply yarn is used in this pattern? Do you ship to Australia?
Kim
Hi Kim,
Thanks for writing in! Gentle Giant comes in at 1.5 – 2 stitches per inch which would make it somewhere around a 14 ply. We do ship all over the world! More information about your shipping can be found here: https://www.purlsoho.com/shipping/
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Do you have a hat pattern that matches this scarf? If not can you recommend a pattern for adults that would complement this scarf? Thank you!
Hi Judy,
Thanks for writing in! We do not have a matching hat pattern for the lovely scarf but we will keep your request in mind! In the meantime, we do have a few hats worked using Gentle Giant that would compliment the scarf quite nicely. I would suggest checking out the Homestretch Hat, the Two Color Homestretch Hat and the Trio of Colorwork Hats.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Beautiful yarn. Love the stitch definition.
Does this yarn shed and “separate” easily when handled as some super chunky yarns do?
Hello KR,
Thank you for reaching out! With any single ply yarn, like this yarn, you will want to be careful not to split the yarn as you knit it.
Once it is knit up into a scarf it will shed much less.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
If I would like to make it wider, how many stitches would work?
Hi Margaret,
Thanks for writing in! The stitch pattern works for any even number of stitches over 8 stitches (e.g. 56 or 58 or 128 stitches, etc.). To make it wider, you can add sets of 2 stitches until it reaches the width that works best for you!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
This pattern would be lovely as a throw blanket.
Would you need to make any adjustments to do this on an Afghan loom in order to make a shawl or shoulder wrap?
Hi Margaret,
Thanks for writing in! I am not really familiar with afghan looms. I am not sure how one would modify the pattern to work with such a loom. I’ve taken a look at some afghan loom tutorials and I think that you may need to do a fair bit of trial and error to figure out how to work this pattern. That said, if you are up for a challenge, I say go for it!
Best,
Cassy
Can you suggest the best way to seam this to make it into a Cowl? My daughter prefers cowls she can wrap around a few times. She would love this big, thick textured yarn and pattern as a Cowl. Thank you!
Hi Karen,
Thanks for writing in! The most straightforward way to make this into a cowl would be to knit the scarf as written and then seam up the two ends. If you have a cowl that you like the fit of, you can measure the circumference and knit to that length before finishing it and sewing the ends together!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
This pattern looks wonderful. I am a fairly new knitter and am wondering if it is suitable for a beginner? I knitted a long time ago but am interested in starting over. If its not good for a beginner, do you have any patterns to suggest.
Thanks so much, Rebecca
Hello Rebecca,
Thank you for reaching out! I don’t think this would be ideal for your first project, however you could always try out the stitch on a little swatch to see how you like it before jumping in. If you are looking to knit a chunky scarf I would recommend either the Eleventh Hour Scarf or the Jumbo Garter Scarf. I hope this helps and Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I love this scarf! Can you advise re: number of stitches for making a larger (wider) scarf? I am thrown off by seeing how much the number of stitches increases in row one and then it decreases in row 2. It would be great to have a guide as to how to increase.
Thanks! Deb
Hi Deb,
Thanks for writing in! The stitch pattern works for any even number of stitches over 8 stitches (e.g. 56 or 58 or 128 stitches, etc.). To make it wider or narrower, you can add or subtract sets of 2 stitches until it reaches the width that works best for you!
Happy knitting!
Cassy
Is there a cowl pattern for this? I’d love a cuddly version in the round 🙂
Hi Jane,
Thanks for writing in! At present, we only have this pattern written to be worked flat. The most straightforward way to make this into a cowl would be to knit the scarf as written and then seam up the two ends. If you have a cowl that you like the fit of, you can measure the circumference and knit to that length before finishing it and sewing the ends together!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I love this scarf, but as I am knitting it, I have big holes from the yarn over. I have watched the video repeatedly and don’t see what I am doing wrong. Is this normal?
Thank you in advance for your help! I really appreciate it!
Hi Victoria,
Thanks for writing in! There should not be large holes associated with the yarn overs. I am wondering if you are getting gauge with this pattern. If your fabric appears loose overall, you may want to try going down a needle size to get gauge and hopefully this will prevent the holes that you are seeing now.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I am also having this problem, there are large holes between the rows of “cables.” I tried going down a needle size yet I’m having the same problem, I have no idea what I could be doing wrong.
Hi Olivia,
Thanks for reaching out! Without seeing an image, it is hard to discern what might be happening. Can you possibly send us an image or two at [email protected]? We would be happy to take a look and see if we can help!
Best,
Cassy
I’m having the same exact problem. Wondering how you were able to fix it?
Hi Aimee,
Thanks for writing in! We are always happy to look at images if you would like to send them to us at [email protected] ! Generally, with cables, holes can happen due to the increased tension placed on the yarn. This can sometimes be fixed by going up a needle size or easing your tension!
Best,
Cassy
I’m choosing the size 17 needle as recommended in the pattern, with the 12” length. Would you recommend the shorter needle for this project?
Thanks
Hello Victoria,
Thank you for reaching out! A 12″ US17 needle will work perfectly for this scarf!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Thanks Marilla,
I noticed in some of the above comments that a few knitters of this pattern had a hole in the knitting they couldn’t explain. Someone from Purl suggested they might need to use a smaller needle. Do you know if this problem was resolved and they used a smaller needle? I am wondering if I should use a smaller needle as well.
Thanks,
Victoria
Hello Victoria,
Great question! This issue has to do with your gauge, if you are getting the same gauge as us you shouldn’t have this issue, however if you knit on the loose side you might want to consider going down a size. This varies from knitter to knitter- no two knitters are the same – which is why checking you gauge is always encouraged.
I hope this clears things up and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I’m having the same issue and I tend to be a tight knitter. I’m using size 17 16” circular needles. I’m wondering if the problem for me is that the stitches get too stretched using a relatively small size circular needle for such a bulky yarn. I’m going to get some regular size 17 needles and see if that solves the problem.
I just just finished knitting this scarf last night and it looks gorgeous! This stitch is so fun and interesting! Do you think this stitch would go be good for a hat?
Hi Shila,
Thanks for the kind words, I’m so glad you love your scarf! I do think this would be a lovely stitch for a matching hat, but unfortunately we do not have a pattern like this in the works at the moment. I will pass your suggestion along to the design team!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi! I have an out-of-left field kind of question. I’m loving this pattern so far, but mine doesn’t look exactly like the picture. Like several prior posters, I, too, have noticeable holes at the dropped yarnovers. This is in spite of my making gauge according to measurements. In fact I tend to be a very even knitter with somewhat tight tension. As I watched the video on elongated mock cable stitch, I had a thought. I am left-handed, and therefore carry the yarn in my left hand when I knit. Would that affect this? I’m going to carry on, since it actually looks quite nice with the regularly spaced eyelets, but I am wondering now whether the other knitters who reported the yarnover problem might be fellow southpaws who carry their yarn on the left. What do you think?
Hi Geneva,
Thanks for writing in! It sounds like you are a Continental knitter, just like me (although I am right handed)! Being a Continental knitter (versus an English knitter) should not affect a stitch pattern. It really is just which side you wrap your yarn from and the stitches should be identical. Cables can cause small holes next to themselves as you are moving a stitch over from it’s place to a stitch or two over depending on the stitch. Even here with the mock cable, you are pulling on a stitch to move it a little. This can cause increased tension. You will frequently see folks going up a needle size in traditional cable patterns to mitigate this. Though here, the best advice that I can give would be to relax your stitching a bit and that blocking can help to bloom the yarn, filling in some of that gap. If you holes are quite large, it might be helpful for us to see an image. if you would like, you can send one into us at [email protected] and we will gladly take a look to see if there is any additional help that we can provide. In general, I find that with new stitch combinations, it can take a little bit of trial and error to get them right, even for the most seasoned of knitters, new hand motions take a bit of time to get just so.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I just started working on my scarf this evening and I’m thoroughly enjoying it. What kind of join do you recommend when I add my next hank? Spit splice?
Hello Lori,
Thank you for reaching out! I would splice it, but you can certainly leave tails instead. Splicing this yarn could ad to much bulk to that section, so I would reccomend cutting a small piece to test it out before using it in your scarf.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
Marilla
I have been working on the scarf and my sides are curling in. Will blocking help this or am I doing something wrong. I am using lion thick and quick yarn Thank you.
Hi JoAnn,
Thanks for reaching out! This is actually fairly normal for this stitch, as it is a variation of stockinette. The curling will improve when you block the scarf, but you could also try moving up a needle size to see if that helps.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
I love this pattern! Can’t seem to find any other reference to it. Did someone at PurlSoho invent it?
Hi Patricia,
Thanks you for the kind words and for writing in! It’s hard to say since so many stitch patterns can go by multiple names, but we’re so glad you like this variation of the mock cable stitch – we love it too!
Best,
Julianna
How many yards is one skein of the gentle giant???
Hi Francoise,
Thanks for reaching out! Each skein of Gentle Giant is 48 yards and 125 grams.
Best,
Julianna
Hi,
I am a huge fan of EVERYTHING you do, it’s become a slightly embarrassing addiction…..
I have just ordered this yarn for this project and I’m eagerly awaiting the delivery in the UK. I am a relatively new knitter, having knitted in my teens, and have now returned to it last year in my 40s. I have knitted a few jumpers and just finished your mistake knit scarf. My main issue is ‘weaving’ in the ends. On the mistake knit jumper it was just guess work and it made it a bit ‘lumpy’ in places. How would you weave in for this scarf, for how many stitches, etc etc, considering the yarn is so thick and it would potentially show badly. Additionally, when joining another ball of yarn, would you double the yarn, so that you weave as you knit, or weave in when the project is finished?
Warmest wishes, Tania
Hi Tania,
Thanks for reaching out! I am so glad to hear that you have been enjoying our patterns! We have two excellent tutorials that should be very helpful to you! Our Weaving in Your Ends and Adding A Ball of Yarn tutorials are excellent resources to use and show how we finish our samples!
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Gianna
If I understand your comments on this scarf, I can decrease the width of the scarf by one inch by casting on 16 stitches rather than the stated 18 stitches. Is this correct?
Hi Lois,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes that is correct, since the gauge breaks down to 2 stitches per inch if you want to make the scarf and inch smaller you cast on 2 less stitches, so 16 instead of 18!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
Amazing pattern that I whipped up in one day. Thank you!!
The cast on edge of my scarf is curling up… how to stop that from happening?
Hi Mary,
Thank you for writing in! One thing you could do is block your cast on edge just slightly more aggressively and then pin the corners in place as they dry. This should help those ends lay flat. I hope this helps but please let me know if you have any additional questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella