Very Pretty Lace Scarf In Quartz
The Very Pretty Lace Scarf is here to remind us that not just complicated lace patterns are beautiful. With a mesmerizing texture and fascinating sense of depth, super simple lace is gorgeous, as well!
This very pretty lace comes from an easy-to-memorize four-round repeat. Two of those rounds are simply knitting, and the other two include just the basic building blocks of lace: yarn overs, knit two togethers, and slip slip knits. Simple!
We knit our scarf in Quartz, a mix of 65% merino wool and 35% suri alpaca, a wonderful choice for warmth, softness, and, with its delicate suri halo, texture, too.
Quartz takes dye beautifully, seeming to glow like its namesake, and a gently heathered mélange of color adds even more depth and interest to this scarf.
There are twenty sumptuous colors to choose from. We used lovely Hydrangea Blossom, anticipating a need for a mid-winter pick-me-up, but take a look and pick the color that lifts your spirit, then cast on for some simple knitting. Very pretty, indeed!
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, Gianna Mueller, based on the original Very Pretty Lace Scarf by Joelle Hoverson, founder and co-owner of Purl Soho. Click here to see even more of Gianna’s designs!
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoVeryPrettyLaceScarf, and #PurlSohoQuartz. We can’t wait to see what you make!
MATERIALS
- 5 skeins of Purl Soho’s Quartz, 65% merino wool, 35% suri alpaca. Each skein of this fingering weight yarn is 420 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 1955 yards required. We used the color Hydrangea Blossom.
- US 4 (3.5 mm), 16-inch circular needles
- A stitch marker
GAUGE
23 stitches and 47 rounds = 4 inches in stitch pattern, blocked
SIZE
Finished Dimensions: approximately 11¾ inches wide (23½ inches in circumference) x 72 inches long
NOTE
STITCH MULTIPLE
This pattern works over an odd number of stitches.
PATTERN
Cast on 135 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Place marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
BOTTOM EDGE
Knit each round until piece measures 1 inch from cast-on edge (unrolled).
BODY
Round 1: Knit to end of round.
Round 2: K1, *yarn over (yo), knit 2 together, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 3: Knit to end of round.
Round 4: *Slip slip knit, yo, repeat from * to last stitch, k1.
Repeat Rounds 1–4 until piece measures approximately 71 inches from cast-on edge (unrolled).
TOP EDGE
Knit every round for 1 inch.
Bind off loosely knitwise.
Weave in ends and block as desired.
LEARN ABOUT QUARTZ + ALL OUR BEAUTIFUL YARNS
Quartz brings a special glow to this project! A wonderful mix of 65% merino wool and 35% suri alpaca, this fingering-weight yarn is lustrous, radiant, and sumptuously soft. The addition of suri gives this yarn a lovely halo and subtle luminosity, while merino brings strength, elasticity, and of course, beauty. Choose from nearly 30 gorgeous colors you’ll only find at Purl Soho!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our collection of (mostly free!) Quartz knitting patterns and cast on!
More Fingering-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of fingering-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 yarn
- Shop suri alpaca yarn
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!
I believe you have the incorrect pattern here! The scarf shown is flat, yet the pattern is knit in-the-round.
???
Hi Noreen,
Thank you for checking! This scarf is a double thick scarf, so you will knit a tube in the round, and then lay it flat to wear for an extra cozy double-layer scarf.
I hope this helps clarify things, and happy knitting!
All the best,
Margaret
I’d like to knit this flat. Would I just knit every other row? I’m sure this is a simple solve but for some reason I’m not trusting my thinking on this. Thanks ahead.
Hi Denise!
Thank you for writing in! To knit this flat, you would work the even-numbered round instructions as rows 1 and 3 (right side), and for rows 2 and 4 (wrong side), you would purl all stitches.
I hope this helps, and happy knitting!
All the best,
Margaret
Great question, like to do the same!
Could this be knit as a throw? Probably need a border that complements it so it doesn’t roll at edges. Or is there another Purl Soho pattern that’s this easy to achieve the same kind of look?
Hi Victoria!
Thank you for asking! If you were interested in knitting this pattern as a throw, you could cast on an odd number of stitches, and adjust this pattern so that you are purling the wrong side rows and knitting the lace pattern on the right side rows. If you were interested in a throw with a similar pattern, I suggest our Slipped Garter Blanket, Nature’s Palette Blanket, or the Double Seed Stitch Blanket!
I hope this helps with your project planning!
All the best,
Margaret
How is it knit for a flat scarf without using circular needles?
Hi Beth!
Thank you for writing in. This scarf is knit in the round as a “tube” and then worn as a flattened double-thick scarf! We suggest using a 16″ circular needle to knit this scarf in the round. The suggested needle lengths, types, and sizes can always be found under “Materials” in our patterns for quick reference!
I hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Margaret
Hello,
I love, love the look of this, is it possible to do this flat, and what would the changes be
thank you
Brenda
Hi Brenda!
We’re so glad to hear this pattern caught your eye! To knit this flat, you will work the even-numbered round instructions as rows 1 and 3 (right side), and for rows 2 and 4 (wrong side), you will purl all stitches.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Is Quartz considered fingering weight?
Hi Erica!
Thank you for your question. Yes, Quartz is considered a fingering weight yarn, as it usually knits up to 7-8 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch! You can find this information under “Product Details” for any of our yarns.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Can you make this with single pointed needles?
Hi Laura!
Thank you for your question. Since this scarf is knit in the round, we suggest using circular needles to knit this pattern! If you were to use straight needles, you would need to adjust the pattern to knit it flat, and then sew a seam along the length of the tube, so it is easiest to knit this scarf in the round to eliminate the need for seaming!
I hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Margaret
Thank you Margaret. I knit with a needle under my arm, tough to change at this point. I wish you published more patterns for long, single pointed needles.
You are very welcome, Laura, and thank you for letting us know! I have passed your feedback along to our team, but in the meantime, you can certainly still knit this pattern flat with straight needles and sew the long sides together to make your scarf!
All the best,
Margaret
I have to admit I was confused by the Finshed Dimensions as well. The actual finished width is just under 6 inches then?
Hi Carol,
Thank you for asking! The finished width of this scarf is 11 3/4 inches wide when laying flat, or 23 1/2 inches in circumference. This information can be found under “SIZE” for quick reference!
I hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Margaret
If I wanted to make this into a cowl, how many skeins would you suggest? Is the pattern stretchy enough to use the same number of cast on stitches as scarf and just stop when long enough and add knit edge? Thanks! Love the help with your patterns.
Hi Laurel!
Thank you for posting your question! You can certainly knit this as a cowl, stopping at your desired length for a cowl before knitting the last few rounds and binding off. This scarf has a circumference of 23 1/2 inches, but if you wanted to make a wider opening to pull over your head for a cowl, you can cast on any odd number of stitches for a larger circumference. You would only need one or two skeins for a cowl, depending on your cast on amount and how long of a cowl you make. When knit at gauge over 135 stitches as written, each skein makes about 14″ of this scarf for quick reference.
I hope this helps with your project planning, and we’re eager to hear how your cowl turns out!
All the best,
Margaret
What yarn would you recommend for this lovely scarf that does not have the loft of the the alpaca blend? I’d need a yarn that does not shed.
Thank you
Hi Fran!
Thank you for your question. I would suggest Santolina as an alternative to Quartz that does not shed! Santolina contains all plant fibers and is a very soft and velvety fingering weight yarn, making it perfect for this scarf.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Thank you!
How much Santolina should I buy to make a scarf?
Hi Fran!
Santolina skeins contain 328 yards each, so for this scarf, you would need 6 skeins of Santolina!
All the best,
Margaret
Thank you
You are very welcome, Fran!
Happy knitting,
Margaret
Margaret, If I used Santolina, how many skeins would you suggest and would the needle size still be 3.5 m
Also, does Quartz shed a lot ??
Thank You
Barbara
Hi Barbara,
Thank you for your questions! You would need 6 skeins of Santolina for this scarf, and a 3.5mm needle should still be a good starting point for gauge with this yarn, since Santolina is also a fingering weight yarn like Quartz. We haven’t found Quartz to shed much when we work with it, so you really can’t go wrong between either of these yarns for this scarf!
All the best,
Margaret
I would like to make this pattern single layer in worsted twist or something like it. Which yarn would you suggest and also the size of the needles.
Thanks
Donna
Hi Donna!
Thank you for your interest in this pattern! If you wanted to make this at a worsted weight, there are a few changed to make. Most worsted weight yarns work well on a size US 7-9 needle, however the specific yarn you choose may work better on a smaller or larger size than that. You will also need to adjust your cast on amount to suit this new gauge. I would suggest making a gauge swatch in pattern with your worsted weight yarn and measuring how many stiches per inch you are getting. Then, you can multiply that number by your desired width in inches to determine how many stitches to cast on! And finally, as for a worsted weight yarn to use, Worsted Twist would be a lovely choice, as would Linen Quill Worsted! You can also browse our collection of worsted weight yarns here.
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Greetings…Please be agreeable and write out instructions for this done flat. Maybe with it somehow still being a soft thicker warm scarf. So many have asked, as I am too. Thank You.
Hi Sue,
Thank you for writing in! To knit this scarf flat, you would work the even-numbered round instructions as rows 1 and 3 (right side), and for rows 2 and 4 (wrong side), you would purl all stitches. You can use a thicker yarn and needle if you prefer, too! All you’d need to do is knit a gauge swatch in pattern over an odd number of stitches to determine the number of stitches to cast on for your desired width.
We hope this helps make it easier to knit a thicker, flat version of this scarf!
All the best,
Margaret
Again, a beautiful pattern that I can’t wait to knit. Following the questions regarding knitting it flat, how many stitches should be cast on for the
11 3/4” width? Approximately how many skeins are required?
Thank you
Hi Susan,
Thanks for writing in! If you’re knitting this design flat instead, you would need to cast on 67 stitches, and I’d recommend purchasing 3 skeins of Quartz. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
Hello. Usually for a ssk, both slips are done knitwise. Why is the second slipped purlwise, please?
Hi Liz,
Thanks for reaching out to check! Like with many techniques in knitting, there are multiple ways of doing an ssk decrease. While you can absolutely do the version in which you slip both stitches knitwise, we like to do it a different way! We’ve found that this method tightens up the decreases a bit, since the stitch underneath gets twisted. Hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Lili
I do not see in the pattern any description for how to do the ssk . Do you recommend slipping the second slip purl wise?
Hi Gail,
Thanks for reaching out. You can find our ssk tutorial right here! We recommend slipping the first stitch knitwise and the second purlwise because we find that that improves the tension of the decrease stitch. But many people slip the second stitch knitwise, so you’re welcome to do it whichever way you prefer!
All the best,
Lili