The Easy-Pleaty Scarf pattern.

I have brought together a quick and easy to follow tutorial for a scarf, which I've called the Easy-Pleaty. It creates a fully reversible fabric so the scarf can be worn anyway that you like without worrying about the wrong side showing or the edge blowing up in the wind!

It is also really enjoyable and beginner friendly as it is just a 3 stitch repeat and every row is the same. I can lose myself knitting this scarf, or knit it in front of the TV without missing bits of the storyline.

I'll share what I used so you can make the same scarf if you like the style. However, this is such an adaptable pattern that you could make it with any yarn and any needle size. You can pick up yarn from your stash and give it a go straight away! Also, this tutorial is not sponsored or affiliated in any way, I just enjoyed the colours available in this DK range.

Requirements:

Yarn	Yarnsmiths, Elvis DK. 150g, self-striping cake. 100% acrylic. 450m (492 yards)
Gauge	22 stitches and 28 rows for 10x10cm using 4mm (US 6) needles
Quantity	1x ball of 150g is enough, including a 3 inch fringe at each end.
Needles	5mm (US 8)
Dimensions	175cm x 17cm (not including fringe length)

I ended up making two of these scarves as gifts for friends this Christmas. I used two different colours from the Elvis DK range, these were called Richard and Brian. The names in this range by Yarnsmiths really made me smile!

I've shared pictures of the scarves I made below with the original yarn cakes so you can see how they worked up. I'm really pleased with the look of the final scarf.

The pattern:

Cast on - 44 stitches (42 + 2 edge stitches) on 5mm (US 8) needles using a long-tail cast on method.

However, any multiple of 3 stitches + 2 edge stitches would work, e.g. 47 (45 + 2).

Row 1 - Slip edge stitch knit-wise, *K2, P1* repeat until the last stitch, K1 edge stitch.

That's it. The repeat is just knit 2 stitches, purl 1 stitch. Every row is the same.

Finishing touches:

Fringe - Not everyone likes fringe on a scarf, but I personally feel that a scarf looks a little naked without one! I added fringe by pulling a folded strand through each stitch with a crochet hook and looping it over itself. Each strand that I cut was 6 inches, folded over the final fringe is roughly 3 inches long.

Weaving ends? - The cake is self-striping without any breaks in the yarn so it should only be two ends from the cast-on and cast-off. I didn't weave them in as I knew I was adding fringing, I just ensured they were knotted tightly and then cut them back so they blended in.

Blocking - I haven't blocked my scarves yet, I was too keen to take pictures and share the blog before Christmas in case you'd like to make your own as gifts. However, I will be steam blocking them to tidy up the fringing and even out the stitches.

Three is a magic number:

Casting on a multiple of 3 is the key to this pattern and how the reversible fabric is formed. The stitches seem like they should create a standard 2x1 ribbing, but instead you have three lines of distinct stitches that encourages a natural pleating to form.

The three lines of stitches are - Stockinette, Moss and Reverse Stockinette (Purl). If you imagine that your work is only three stitches wide the way these lines form starts to make more sense.

On row 1 you work - knit, knit, purl.

On row 2 you are working into the wrong side of the stitches you've just created. So, your first knit stitch is worked into the wrong side of a purl, which is knit so you're creating a line of stockinette. Your second knit stitch is worked into the wrong side of a knit, which is a purl, creating alternating knit and purl or a moss stitch line. Then your final stitch is a purl, worked into the wrong side of a knit, which is purl so creating a line of reverse stockinette (all purl).

As you go back and forth creating the same repeat the three lines start to tuck together neatly. As a result, the pattern will only work on a multiple of 3 stitches.

The importance of an edge stitch:

You may wonder about skipping the extra two stitches and not working any edge at the start and end of the row. I would highly recommend including an edging stitch to stop your scarf from curling and help keep an even tension along each edge.

When your fabric is meant to stand alone, e.g. it's a scarf, shawl, blanket or anything that won't be seamed with another piece then I personally think an edge stitch is essential. I add them, even if the original pattern doesn't ask for them.

On this pattern, I suggest slipping the first edge stitch knit-wise even though you will be presented with a purl bump from the knit stitch on the row below. This will twist the stitch and just lightly pull the fabric into a nice even edge.

Let me know if you found the extra information is this quick tutorial helpful and if you'd like more free patterns on the blog! Also, I hope you enjoy working up a scarf or two yourself!

Happy crafting,

Katie