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Ledger Scarf
Our Ledger Scarf is a simple and satisfying knitting pattern, as orderly as a column of figures and as long as a curling receipt! Adding an earthy warmth to these rhythmic stripes is our new Ochre yarn, a mix of superwash wool and linen that’s delightfully soft and easy to care for.
You knit this toasty, double-thick scarf in the round, and it’s all super knitting, with a few elevated details that give a truly polished result. The ends of the scarf are closed—we suggest using Judy’s Magic Cast On and Kitchener Stitch for the most seamless look—and built-in creases along each side make the tubular scarf lie nice and flat. A few more details to account for: jogless stripes keep your lines neatly ruled, and you carry your unused yarn along with a tidy twist as you stripe.
Ochre adds lots of personality to this clean-lined scarf. An expressive superwash merino wool yarn with a touch of Belgian linen that bursts enthusiastically from the strand, it is a cushy DK-to-worsted weight with a round 4-ply spin and a wonderful liveliness on the needles. Ochre knits up into a buttery-soft fabric with the very practical benefit of being machine washable and dryable. Pick two from a palette of beautiful heathered colors, including the parchment, ink, and leather palette we chose for our Ledger Scarves.
Four skeins of each color make a long, dramatic scarf like the ones we made, or pick up three skeins each for a slightly smaller version. With Ochre’s intriguing character, miles of stylish stripes, and cozy double-thick fabric, your Ledger Scarf will be one for the books!
Yarn lovers, if you adore the yarn used in this project, you’ll love exploring all of our other yarn collections! Discover over 55 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!
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
- Purl Soho’s Ochre, 90% superwash wool and 10% linen. Each skein of this light worsted/DK-worsted-weight yarn is 177 yards/ 100 grams.
- Color A: 3 (4) skeins; approximately 470 (708) total yards required
- Color B: 3 (4) skeins; approximately 450 (700) total yards required
- US 7 (4.5 mm), 16-inch circular knitting needles, depending on size you are making, or 32-inch circular knitting needles if using Judy’s Magic Cast On and/or Magic Loop
- Optional: Spare needle, US 7 or smaller if using 3-Needle Bind Off
- Stitch markers, including one unique
We used these colors for our samples…
- Color A: Giant Sequoia, Color B: Heirloom White
- Color A: Wrought Iron, Color B: Mica Gray
GAUGE
21 stitches and 27 rounds = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
NOTE: We used every last yard for this scarf. To avoid running out of yarn, be sparing with your tails and check your gauge.
SIZES
Small (Large)
- Finished Circumference: 16 (19¾) inches
- Finished Length 68¼ (87¼) inches long
Sample: Both of our samples are the Large size.
NOTES
STITCH MULTIPLE
This pattern is worked over an even number of stitches.
SLIP STITCHES
Slip all slipped stitches purlwise with yarn in back.
MAGIC LOOP
This pattern can be worked on either 16-inch circular needles, or on 32-inch circular needles using the Magic Loop method. Just pick the approach you prefer!
For more help, visit our Magic Loop Tutorial.
WORKING STRIPES IN THE ROUND
For tips on carrying up the non-working yarn while working stripes in the round and on jogless stripes, please visit our Stripes in the Round Tutorial for both videos.
PATTERN
CAST ON
NOTE: Using Judy’s Magic Cast On leaves you with a very tidy bottom edge of your scarf and also means you won’t have to seam the cast-on edge closed when you’re finished knitting. Learn how to do it with our Judy’s Magic Cast On Tutorial!
With Color A, cast on 84 (104) stitches. We used Judy’s Magic Cast On and 32-inch circular needles, but a basic Long Tail Cast On would also work fine! If you do a basic Long Tail Cast On, use either 16-inch circular needles or 32-inch circular needles for Magic Loop (see Notes), and leave an approximately 25-inch tail for seaming the cast-on edge later.
IF YOU USED JUDY’S MAGIC CAST ON
Place unique marker for end of round and join for working in the round.
Set-Up Round 1: K42 (52), place marker at middle of round, knit through back loop to end of round. NOTE: This round is also explained in the Knit The First Round section of our Judy’s Magic Cast On Tutorial.
Set-Up Round 2: Knit to end of round, slipping marker as you come to it.
Set-Up Round 3: Knit to next marker, slip marker (sm), slip 1 (see Notes), knit to end of round.
Go on to Work Stripes section below.
IF YOU USED A BASIC LONG TAIL CAST ON
Place unique marker for end of round and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
Set-Up Round 1: K42 (52), place marker at middle of round, knit to end of round.
Set-Up Round 2: Knit to next marker, slip marker (sm), slip 1 (see Notes), knit to end of round.
Go on to Work Stripes section below.
WORK STRIPES
NOTE: Carry non-working yarn up the inside of the tube between stripes and work jogless stripes. See Notes for more help.
Still with Color A…
Round 1: Knit to end of round, slipping marker as you come to it.
Round 2: Knit to next marker, sm, slip 1, knit to end of round.
Drop Color A.
Join Color B.
Rounds 3–6: With Color B, repeat Rounds 1 and 2 two times.
Rounds 7–10: With Color A, repeat Rounds 1 and 2 two times.
Repeat Rounds 3–10 fifty-six (72) more times. [Piece measures 68 (87) inches from cast-on edge]
Cut Color B.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends (except for long tail, if you used a Long Tail Cast On).
CLOSE ENDS
IF YOU USED JUDY’S MAGIC CAST ON
Slide 42 (52) stitches to each end of circular needles, and holding needles parallel, use Kitchener Stitch to graft edge closed.
Weave in remaining end and gently wet block.
IF YOU USED A LONG TAIL CAST ON
Slide 42 (52) stitches to each end of circular needles, and holding needles parallel, bind off stitches using a 3-Needle Bind Off.
Turn piece so cast-on edge is at the top, edges are aligned, and long tail is at right side. Ensure that cast-on edge is parallel to bound off edge and that the tube is not twisted. With long tail, seam the two sides of the cast-on edge together using a whipstitch.
Weave in remaining ends and gently wet block.
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 Ochre + All Our Beautiful Yarns
This project gets its soft and rustic appeal, stunning flaxen beauty, and toasty warmth from our Ochre yarn, 90% superwash merino wool and 10% Belgian linen. The superwash wool is very special, treated with a biodegradable plant-based polymer to make it super soft and machine wash- and dry-able, and the lively linen bursts from the strand with lots of earthy character. A versatile DK-weight to worsted-weight yarn, Ochre has a round 4-ply spin, a wonderful liveliness on the needles, and a cushy feel you will love!
More Free Knitting Patterns
- Be sure to explore our free Ochre knitting patterns and cast on!
More Light Worsted/DK-Weight Yarns + Worsted-Weight Yarns
- Shop our entire collection of light worsted/DK-weight yarn (What does DK-weight yarn mean, really? Our guide to DK yarn will demystify!)
- Shop our entire collection of worsted/aran-weight yarn (What is worsted-weight yarn? Our guide to worsted-weight yarn will answer your questions and more!)
- 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, our Yarn Substitution article, and our Complete Guide To Yarn for lots of helpful information.
More Yarns With Similar Fiber
- Shop superwash wool yarn
- Shop merino wool yarn
- Shop linen yarn
- Shop machine-washable 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 55 gorgeous natural fiber yarns in 1,000s of magnificent colors, designed to bring integrity, beauty, and joy to your next knitting project and only available at Purl Soho!
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How could I adapt this for child size (age 7)?
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks so much for writing in! If I were knitting the Ledger Scarf for a child, I would cast on for the smaller sized scarf and simply knit for less length. Scarves for children are typically between 40 to 55 inches long.
I hope this helps, and happy knitting!
All the best,
Mia
Hi, can I do a provisional cast on and then Kitchener stitch them together at the end? Thanks so much! Yarn looks delightful!
Hi Shar,
We’re so happy the Ledger Scarf caught your eye! You can definitely work your favorite Provisional Cast On to begin and then Kitchener Stitch the end closed once you finish the scarf. Just keep in mind that you will want to leave an end that’s long enough to work the Kitchener Stitch once you come back to graft those stitches together.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
All the best,
Mia
Do you recommend pre-washing the more saturated colors like Giant Sequoia if using in combination with Heirloom White?
Hi Aly,
We’re so happy that Ochre caught your eye! We didn’t experience any bleeding during color fastness tests across all of the color ways. As long as you are blocking your scarf in tepid water (not too hot), pre-washing isn’t required.
All the best,
Mia
Can you please explain if the stitch is also slipped at the BOR marker as well as at the middle marker? I don’t see (or at least understand if it is) this on these instructions:
Round 1: Knit to end of round, slipping marker as you come to it.
Round 2: Knit to next marker, sm, slip 1, knit to end of round.
Hi Linda,
Great question! The slipped stitch is only worked at the point where you encounter the side marker. This was an intentional design element because the way in which the yarn is carried at the BOR allows that side naturally fold easily. On the opposite side, slip stitches are used to create a clean fold and ensure the scarf folds neatly.
Happy knitting!
Mia
Would I be correct in assuming that the kitchener stitch would work as well as the three-needle bind-off? Thanks so much!
Hi Clarinda,
Great question! The use of either the Kitchener Stitch or the 3-Needle Bind Off is so that both ends of the scarf match stylistically. In other words, if you work a Long Tail Cast On that will be whip stitched close, you’ll want to work the 3-needle bind off. If you worked Judy’s Magic Cast On, you’ll want to work the kitchener stitch so both ends of the scarf match.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
All the best,
Mia
Beautiful scarf and interesting construction as always with purl soho patterns. Is there an all merino superwash that can be substituted for Ochre? I’m concerned the pop out linen threads will be scratchy.
Hi Fran,
We’re so happy that you’re as excited about the Ledger Scarf as we are! While both a tad thinner than Ochre, but not by much, Daily Wool Worsted and Pepper would be amazing all wool alternatives for this pattern. We can’t wait to see which you choose!
Happy knitting!
Mia
I need some clarification please – the instructions for the scarf if you used JMC say: Place unique marker for end of round and join for working in the round.
Set-Up Round 1: K42 (52), place marker at middle of round, knit through back loop to end of round. NOTE: This round is also explained in the Knit The First Round section of our Judy’s Magic Cast On Tutorial.
So…
1) in the JMC tutorial, the first stitch after casting on joins you in the round…so am I doing that row and THEN setting up my first round. I don’t think that’s the case (because of the next instruction re: knitting through the back leg for the 2nd half) but wanted to be sure.
2) per the JMC tutorial, the 1st stitch on the 2nd half is knit properly (because it is the 1st one that you cast on) and the rest are knit through the back since they lay twisted on the needle for the first round. The scarf instructions say to knit through the back for ALL of the 2nd half of stitches (including that 1st one). Is that correct?
Thank you!!
Hi Miriam,
Thank you so much for reaching out about the Ledger Scarf! I can see how this could be a bit tricky, and I’m happy to help clarify!
Since our tutorials are often referenced in multiple patterns, I would suggest referring to the pattern instructions for the most accurate guidance on your project. It looks like you’ll knit halfway across the round, place a marker at the midpoint, and knit through the back loop across the second half of the stitches to the end of the round. The idea is to knit through the leading leg, which allows the stitch to untwist.
I hope this helps point you in the right direction. If you’re still running into trouble, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]!
All the best,
Hills