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Powder Puff Scarf
Super sweet, toasty warm, and incredibly soft, our Powder Puff Scarf uses a great big snowball of a pom pom as a playful button. Knit with our Super Soft Merino and Paintbrush Mohair yarns, it’s perfect for a last-minute gift knit… Just one snowy afternoon is enough time to make it!
This little scarf is all garter stitch, made by knitting our bulky-weight Super Soft Merino and Paintbrush Mohair yarns together on big needles for super speedy stitches! Simple short rows shape the curved ends and the easiest buttonhole ever makes room for that giant, joyful pom pom button.
The warm, squishy heart of this project, Super Soft Merino always lives up to its name, a dreamy single ply of sumptuous merino wool with a smooth, lustrous surface. Paintbrush Mohair floats along, adding a radiant glow and downy halo to the fabric, not to mention cozy mohair warmth and softness.
You’ll need one skein of each yarn to knit either the Kid or Adult size (plus another skein of Super Soft Merino in a different color for the pom pom). With so many colors of both yarns to choose from, picking feels like dipping your paintbrush into an endless palette. Choose a strong contrast for a dappled marl, or go for a closer match for a soft, subtle shimmer… Every combination has its own painterly charm!
The colorful fun isn’t over yet… Choose a second color of Super Soft Merino for that big, fluffy pom pom! Our Pom Pom Maker Sets make it easy to whip up perfect pom poms in any size or yarn—just follow along with our Pom Pom Tutorial. For the Kid size Powder Puff Scarf, use the Large maker from the Small + Large Set; for the Adult size, use the Extra Large maker from the Extra Large + Jumbo Set.
Pick up two skeins of Super Soft Merino and one ball of Paintbrush Mohair… With a free afternoon and a flurry of stitches, you’ll have the sweetest little gift knit, topped with a powdery soft snowball!
Pattern designed and written by Purl Soho designer, Hiromi Glover. See even more of Hiromi’s work on her Instagram!
Story written by Andrea Lotz for Purl Soho.
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
- Yarn A: 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Super Soft Merino, 100% merino wool yarn. Each skein of this bulky weight yarn is 87 yards/ 100 grams; approximately 70 (80) total yards required.
- Yarn B: 1 ball of Purl Soho’s Paintbrush Mohair, 75% kid mohair and 25% Peruvian Pima cotton. Each ball of this worsted/aran-to-chunky/bulky yarn is 120 yards /50 gram; approximately 65 (90) total yards required.
- Pom Pom Yarn: 1 skein of Purl Soho’s Super Soft Merino; approximately 60 (70) yards required
- US 13 (9 mm), 24-inch circular knitting needles
- Purl Soho’s Pom Pom Maker Set, Small + Large size for Kid or Extra Large + Jumbo size for Adult
- A removable stitch marker
NOTE: We used almost the entire skein of Yarn A for our Adult sample. If you plan to make your Scarf longer than ours, you may need an additional skein!
We knit our samples in these colors and sizes…
- KID: Yarn A: Super Soft Merino in Ballet Pink; Yarn B: Paintbrush Mohair in Sky Blue; Pom Pom Yarn: Super Soft Merino in Peachy Pink
- ADULT: Yarn A: Super Soft Merino in Sapphire Blue; Yarn B: Paintbrush Mohair in Wild Boysenberry; Pom Pom Yarn: Super Soft Merino in Oatmeal Gray
- ADULT: Yarn A: Super Soft Merino in Heirloom White; Yarn B: Paintbrush Mohair in Mouse Ear; Pom Pom Yarn: Super Soft Merino in Berry Blue
GAUGE
11 stitches and 22 rows = 4 inches in garter stitch with Yarn A and Yarn B held together
SIZES
Kid (Adult)
- Finished Dimensions: 4¾ inches wide x 21 inches long (6¼ x 24 inches long), with instructions to modify
- Finished Circumference, Buttoned: 18 (20) inches
NOTES
ADJUSTING LENGTH
Want to adjust the length of your scarf? As you knit the Body, try your scarf on to check the fit and begin the Make Buttonhole section when your live stitches comfortably reach the removable stitch marker, which indicates where you’ll place the pom pom button. Just make sure you have enough yarn left to work the rest of the pattern — you’ll need about 10-15 yards each of Yarn A and Yarn B to work the final section!
SLIP STITCHES
Slip stitches knitwise with yarn in back, unless otherwise instructed.
SHORT ROW SHAPING: WRP-T (WRAP + TURN)
On both right and wrong sides: Keeping yarn in back, slip next stitch purlwise from left needle to right needle. Bring yarn to front. Return slipped stitch to left needle. Turn work so other side is facing you.
See this technique in action in our Short Row Tutorial at 0:30 seconds, except do not bring the yarn to the back before you turn. Also, because you’ll be working in garter stitch, there’s no need to pick up the wraps when you get to them. Just knit the wrapped stitches as usual!
PATTERN
BEGIN AT POM POM END
With one strand of Yarn A and one strand of Yarn B held together, cast on 13 (17) stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.
Set-Up Row (wrong side): Slip 1 (see Notes), knit to end of row.
Short Row 1 (right side): Slip 1, knit to last 2 stitches, wrp-t (see Notes).
Short Row 2 (wrong side): Knit to last 2 stitches, wrp-t.
Short Row 3: Knit to 1 stitch before wrapped stitch, wrp-t.
Repeat Short Row 3 seven (11) more times, until one unwrapped stitch remains between wrapped stitches, ending with a wrong-side row.
Partial Row (right side): K1, place removable stitch marker on previous stitch to indicate Pom Pom placement, knit to end of row.
BODY
Starting with a wrong-side row…
Row 1: Slip 1, knit to end of row.
Repeat Row 1 until piece measures approximately 17 (21) inches from center of cast-on edge, or to desired length (see Notes), ending with a wrong-side row.
MAKE BUTTONHOLE
Row 1 (right side): Slip 1, k3 (5), bind off next 5 stitches, knit to end of row. [8 (12) stitches remain]
Row 2 (wrong side): Slip 1, k3 (5), cable cast on 5 stitches, knit to end of row. [13 (17) stitches]
Work 2 rows in garter stitch, as established.
COMPLETE BUTTONHOLE END
Short Row 1 (right side): Slip 1, k6 (8), wrp-t.
Short Row 2 (wrong side): K1, wpt-t.
Short Row 3: Knit to wrapped stitch, knit wrapped stitch, wrp-t.
Repeat Short Row 3 seven (11) more times, until one unwrapped stitch remains at each end.
Partial Row (right side): Knit to end of row.
Next Row: Slip 1, knit to end of row.
With right side facing you, bind off knitwise.
FINISHING
WEAVE + BLOCK
Weave in all ends and gently steam block.
POM POM
With Pom Pom Yarn, make a 2 (3)-inch pom pom. If you’re using Purl Soho’s Pom Pom Maker Set, use the Large (Extra Large) Pom Pom Maker with the 2 (3)-inch Trim Guide and follow along with our Pom Pom Tutorial.
With right side of scarf facing you and using pom pom’s tails, securely sew pom pom to spot marked with a removable marker. Make sure pompom is firmly attached, weaving in tails on wrong side.
Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho. We can’t wait to see what you make!
Learn About Super Soft Merino, Paintbrush Mohair + All Our Beautiful Yarns
To knit your Powder Puff Scarf, you’ll need a skein each of Super Soft Merino and Paintbrush Mohair, plus another color of Super Soft Merino for your bouncy pom pom button! Together these two yarns make an incredibly soft, luminous, and complex fabric with a glorious halo. Both chunky-weight yarns, single-ply Super Soft Merino is a 100% merino wool yarn, while Paintbrush Mohair combines 75% kid mohair and 25% Peruvian Pima cotton for a glistening strand as light as whisper. Both yarns come in a huge rainbow of colors, a delight to mix and match. Cast on for this free knitting pattern and experience the natural beauty of these two gorgeous yarns together!
More Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our collections of (mostly free!) Super Soft Merino knitting patterns and Paintbrush Mohair knitting patterns and cast on!
More Chunky/Bulky-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of chunky/bulky-weight yarns
- If you want to use different yarns, be sure to take the time to get the correct gauge. Need help? Check our All About Gauge Tutorial and our Yarn Substitution article for lots of helpful information.
More Yarns With Similar Fibers
- Shop merino wool yarn
- Shop mohair yarn
- Shop cotton yarn (What helps cotton keep its cool? Learn all about this soft, natural fiber in our guide to cotton yarn!)
Looking for more inspiration? Explore all of our knitting patterns (including tons of 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 u getthe pattern free
Hi Carol,
Thanks for reaching out! We’re glad the Powder Puff Scarf piqued your interest!
This is a free pattern, and the whole thing is available above! You can save the pattern by clicking the word “PRINT” in pink letters on the right side of your screen.
I hope this helps! Please let us know if you have any other questions!
Warmly,
Andrea
So classy, so beautiful, so Purl Soho
So cute!
I love the look of the mohair but am allergic to mohair and angora yarn. Can you suggest an alternate?
Hi Rani,
Thank you for your question! I’m so sorry to hear you’re allergic to mohair and angora — that can definitely make choosing a halo yarn a bit challenging. A wonderful alternative is alpaca, fiber which is usually much gentler for those with sensitivities. Of the yarns we carry, Goldenberry Alpaca is the closest and best substitute for achieving a similar look and feel. I hope this information is helpful!
Warmly,
Megan
I am confused about how the transition between Pom Pom End and Body. I keep getting a gap between the two. My Pom Pom end ends at the tip of a wedge and then when I knit the partial row there is a gap between that row and the side of the wedge and then when I knit the first row of the body there is an even larger gap between the first row and the other side of the wedge.
Hi Jessie,
Thank you for your question! From what you’re describing, it sounds like the gap is happening where the wrap and turns aren’t being picked up or worked quite the way the pattern intends. If a wrap isn’t lifted correctly—or if the stitch isn’t snugged up when you work it—it can create the little spaces you’re seeing between the Pom Pom End and the Body.
This is definitely something we can help you sort out! If you’re able to send a photo to [email protected], we can take a closer look at your fabric and pinpoint exactly where the gap is coming from. Once you see how the wraps get incorporated, that transition becomes much cleaner.
Warmly,
Megan
Hi,
What if I want to knit this in stockinette rather that garter?
Would that be a big problem when I come to the short rows?
Hi Lydia!
Thank you for your question! Knitting this in stockinette instead of garter isn’t a problem at all. When you reach the short rows, you’ll just wrap the stitch according to whether you’re on the knit side or the purl side. If you’d like a refresher, our Short Rows: Wrap + Turn tutorial is a great resource.
Happy knitting,
Megan
Very nice and cute neck warmer.
Thank you Aneela!
Megan
This scarf is so cute and helpful and very warm with out all the extra long length of a regular scarf for kids and it’s so cute.
Hi Debra!
We’re so happy you like the pattern!
Megan
Just made this today – so adorable! question – should I sew a button to the back of the pom pom? Seems logical but I don’t see it in the instructions. Thank you!
Hi Susan!
Thank you for your question! In this pattern, the pom pom is the button, so you don’t need an additional one. But if you’d prefer a smaller buttonhole or want a bit of extra security, you can absolutely sew a button to the back of the pom pom – it works just as well!
Warmly,
Megan
When you do short row 3 repeats, you should be in a different place each time? Do you have a video for this?
Short Row 3: Knit to 1 stitch before wrapped stitch, wrp-t.
Thanks!
Laura
Hi Laura!
Thank you for your question! Yes, you should end up in a slightly different spot each time you repeat Short Row 3. Each repeat brings you one stitch closer to the edge because you’re always stopping one stitch before the previous wrapped stitch. That’s what creates the gradual shaping.
We don’t have a video specific to this project, but our general Short Row Tutorial is a great visual guide. And if you’d like more help, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]. We’re always happy to walk you through it!
Warmly,
Megan
Hi. I’m having trouble understanding the short rows on the button row end. The decreases seem to be only on one end of the row. What am I doing wrong?
Hi Jill!
Thank you for your question! In this section, the short rows are worked once per row, and that’s what creates the gradual curve. If after working the button hole end and something still looks off or the curve feels uneven, feel free to send a photo of your work to [email protected]. We’d be happy to take a closer look and walk you through it!
Warmly,
Megan
Thanks for the cute pattern! I’m wondering if I did the short rows wrong, though…my scarf isn’t flat on the end. The short rows section ended up a half sphere. Should it be flat?
Hi Sarah!
Thank you for your comment! Yes, the short-row section is supposed to create a little half-sphere shape. That’s exactly what gives the end its lovely structure, so you’re right on track!
Warmly,
Megan
Absolutely love this project! I got a different color combination for each of my kids (4) and initially was wondering if I would be able to get them all done before Christmas, but it really knits up fast! I do knit quite a bit but am not necessarily very fast and I‘d say without any interruption I could probably knit up one easily in 2-3 hrs.
The yarn is spectacular and it is a lot of fun to pick out the color combinations and then to see how they turn out! I will definitely do more of these next year!
Hey have a question where in “Short Row 3: Knit to wrapped stitch, knit wrapped stitch, wrp-t.” Am I supposed to knit then wrapped stitch 3 times Do I knit and then wrapped stitch? Or knit two then wrapped stitch? And is wrapped stitch the whole word for the abbreviation wrp-t?
Hi Moon!
Short rows can definitely feel confusing the first time through, so you’re not alone in wondering how this section works.
For Short Row 3, you’ll simply knit across until you reach the next wrapped stitch. When you get to that wrapped stitch, knit it together with its wrap (that’s the “knit wrapped stitch” part). After that, you’ll work a wrp-t (wrap and turn) on the next stitch in line. You aren’t knitting the wrapped stitch multiple times or doing repeated steps. Each repeat of Short Row 3 just moves one stitch farther out, so you’ll naturally hit a different wrapped stitch each time.
Also, “wrapped stitch” in the instructions refers to the stitch that already has a wrap around it from a previous short row, and wrp-t is the abbreviation for making a new wrap and turn.
If you want to double-check your progress or need a visual, feel free to reach out! We’re happy to help.
Warmly,
Megan
I’d love to make this cute pattern for my daughter’s tiny dog! Do you think it would work to reduce the size to no more than 2” X 12”? All suggestions appreciated!
Hi Jenny!
Thank you for your question, and oh my gosh, a tiny-dog version of this scarf sounds absolutely adorable! For a piece that’s about 2 inches wide, casting on 7 stitches is a great choice. Below is the adjusted buttonhole section so everything lines up properly with fewer stitches:
Make Buttonhole:
Row 1 (RS): Slip 1, k2, bind off next 2 stitches, knit to end. You will have 5 stitches remaining.
Row 2 (WS): Slip 1, k2, cable cast on 2 stitches, knit to end. You are back to 7 stitches total.
Work 2 rows in garter stitch (knit both rows).
Complete buttonhole end:
Short Row 1 (RS): Slip 1, k4, wrp-t.
Short Row 2 (WS): K1, wpt-t.
Short Row 3: Knit to wrapped stitch, knit wrapped stitch, wrp-t.
Repeat Short Row 3 four more times, until one unwrapped stitch remains at each end. (We repeat fewer times because the scarf is much narrower.)
Partial Row (RS): Knit to end.
Next Row (WS): Slip 1, knit to end.
Bind off knitwise with the right side facing you.
Please send a photo of the tiny dog wearing it when you’re done — we’d absolutely love to see it!
Happy Knitting,
Megan
Hello
Do I have to use circular needles to make this or can I use ordinary needles?
Thank you. Kind regards,
Anne
Hi Anne!
Thank you for your question! You can absolutely knit this pattern using straight needles – no need for circulars unless you prefer them.
Happy knitting!
Megan
Hello,
I see on the website someone asked the question about the pattern I was going to ask.
On December 3rd Jesse asked:
“Jesse says:
December 3, 2025 at 7:40 pm
I am confused about how the transition between Pom Pom End and Body. I keep getting a gap between the two. My Pom Pom end ends at the tip of a wedge and then when I knit the partial row there is a gap between that row and the side of the wedge and then when I knit the first row of the body there is an even larger gap between the first row and the other side of the wedge.”
It seems that there needs to be instruction for an additional step after “Partial Row (right side): K1, place removable stitch marker on previous stitch to indicate Pom Pom placement, knit to end of row” before proceeding to start body of scarf?
I am having the same issue. I emailed customer service on 12/19/25 and attached 3 photos. Thanks.
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for writing in about this! We reached out via email, but we wanted to make sure to respond here too.
The wraps in wrap-and-turn short rows blend in with garter stitch, so the first thing to check is that you’re wrapping your stitches when you turn (if not, that can cause gaps; here is our tutorial). If you’re wrapping your stitches, you’re probably doing everything correctly! I recommend making sure to snug up your tension for the wrap and turn stitches. The pom pom should cover quite a bit of the short-row section, but if you find there are visible gaps, you can use a tapestry needle and matching yarn to sew up the spaces.
We hope this helps! Let us know if you have any other questions.
Kindly,
Allison
Super quick and super cute! Thank you for this wonderful free pattern. Made two for gifts and they were a hit. Making one now for another gift.
Because the yarn is so big and bulky, I used a stitch marker to keep track of the short row wrapped stitches. Let’s hear it for how easy it is with bulky yarn and size 13 needles.
My first time doing short rows. I have gone through the tutorial.
1. The beginning Short Row 1(right side) slip 1, knit to the last 2 stitches. What do I do with the. Last 2 stitches? Is one a wrap than what is done with the last one. Is it wrapped, slipped, knit?
I do not understand the Complete Button Hole End at all.
Short Row 1 – Slip 1, K6, wrap-t. Wrap what?
Short Row 2 – K1, wrp-t. Wrap-t what?
Short Row 3 – Yikes. Please help. Am I wrapping every stitch after K6? Same with Row 2??
Is there a written walk through? I went through all of the questions to see if anyone was having trouble.
Hi Deedie!
Thank you for your questions! Short rows and wrap & turns can definitely feel tricky at first, so you’re not alone. Let’s walk through it together! Anytime you see “wrp-t” it means Wrap and Turn. Here’s how to do it: Wrap & Turn (both right and wrong sides):
Keeping yarn in back, slip next stitch purlwise to right needle. Bring yarn to the front. Slip that stitch back to left needle. Turn your work.
So, in the pattern instructions, when you get to Short Row 3, you’ll knit to wrapped stitch, knit wrapped stitch, wrp-t. Repeat Short Row 3 seven (or 11) more times until one unwrapped stitch remains at each end.
Hope this helps clarify things — you’ve got this!
Warmly,
Megan
I’m trying this and of course similar to others having trouble with the short rows. In particular, I’m having trouble understanding « Short Row 3: Knit to 1 stitch before wrapped stitch, wrp-t.
Repeat Short Row 3 seven (11) more times, until one unwrapped stitch remains between wrapped stitches, ending with a wrong-side row. ».
So in my reading of this for short row 3, I would stop and do the wrap-turn 3 stitches prior to the end of the row because the previous line of instructions had me do the wrap-turn 2 stitches before the end. Then I would go to 4 stitches before and then 5 and then 6. When I try to transition out of this though it goes from looking like the garter stitch to the stockinette with the Vs for one line so obviously I am doing something wrong and need help! Thanks in advance!
Hi Sara!
Thanks for writing in! It actually sounds like you’re doing the short rows correctly, which is great. That said, it’s really hard to know exactly what’s happening without seeing it. If you’re able to send us a photo at [email protected], we’d be happy to take a look and help you troubleshoot visually!
Warmly,
Megan
Hi! I would love suggestions for a color/s of Paintbrush Mohair to pair with Super Soft Merino colors Pink Thistle or Seashell pink if I am knitting with either of those. Maybe something blueish- I like the effect of the light pink and blue combo of the kid version.
(I also plan to use Peachy Pink for the pom-pom button.)
Thanks for the pattern!
Hi Natalie,
Thanks for writing in! I’ve sent you some palette idea photos from [email protected], but I wanted to make sure to update you here too.
For the most similar look to the kid’s scarf using the colors you have, I recommend holding Seashell Pink with either Blue Mist or Sky Blue, using Peachy Pink as the pom pom color.
We hope this helps! Let us know if you have any questions.
Kindly,
Allison
Such a cute pattern. I’d like to make one for my granddaughter who is a toddler. Would it be possible to follow the pattern with Pepper (I have an extra skein left from making her the cardigan) to make it a bit less bulky? It seems like the kid size here might be too big for a toddler. Thanks!
Hi Rebecca!
Thank you so much for your question. While this cowl would look absolutely adorable in Pepper, the change in gauge wouldn’t be easy to calculate, especially considering the short rows and button hole… With that said, I think it’s better to use up your skein of Pepper by trying our Sprinkle Cowl instead. The smallest size uses two skeins, but you can easily modify it to use up one by casting on 108 stitches and knitting until you’re almost out of yarn.
I hope that helps, but if you’d like some other ideas, just let us know!
Happy knitting!
Hills