How to Knit the Calm Waters Scarf [Free Written Pattern & Video Tutorial]

***You can purchase an INEXPENSIVE AD-FREE PDF of this pattern HERE***

[Alternatively keep scrolling for the free version of the pattern]

Recently I’ve developed a real love for knitting scarves. They are the ultimate portable project as they are smaller and easier to carry around than a baby blanket.

They also work so well in variegated yarn, which means I get to experiment with yarns I wouldn’t normally choose when knitting a baby blanket.

When naming my recent scarf designs, I’ve been drawing inspiration from my adventures out of the house. The Calm Waters scarf gains its name from the peace I feel when I get to visit Finland and spend time at a lakeside summer cottage.

If you need visual help to knit this pattern, I also have a YouTube tutorial that guides you through the repeat in easy steps.

sizing and yarn

My scarf measures approximately 23cm across, and 180cm long. I find this the perfect size for me to wear, but feel free to make the scarf any size you like.

You can make it wider by casting on more stitches, and to make it longer you simply keep knitting until the length of the scarf is what you want.

There is no set pattern multiple for this scarf, just make sure to cast on an ODD number of stitches.

You can of course choose to knit this scarf in any yarn you like. Just remember to make sure you adjust the amount of stitches you cast on to accomodate the yarn weight you are using.

You will also need to make sure you cast on using the correct sized needles for the weight of yarn you have chosen. Your ball band will always guide you in the direction of the right size needles.

is this pattern reversible?

Yes! This pattern looks virtually identical on both sides. I’ve popped a picture below of both the right and “wrong” side so you can see how similar they look.

Right Side

wrong side

Pin for later

Not ready to knit the Calm Waters scarf just yet? Why not pin this image to your Pinterest so you can find it easily when you’re ready to sit down and cast on!

Materials Needed

• 2 x 150g Balls of James C Brett Emotion DK – I used the shade Calm.
• 4mm (US Size 6) Knitting Needles (Circular or Straight)
• Large Eye Tapestry Needle
• Embroidery Scissors

Stitches Used

• k – Knit
• p – Purl
• sl1p wyf – slip one purlwise with yarn in front.
• RS – Right Side
• WS – Wrong Side

written instructions

Foundation Row: Cast on 49 stitches (I like to use the Long Tail method)

Setup Row: k until 1 stitch remains, sl1pwyf.

Row 1 (RS): k until 1 stitch remains, sl1pwyf.

Row 2 (WS): k until 1 stitch remains, sl1pwyf.

Row 3: k4, *p1, k1* repeat until 3 stitches before end of row, k2, sl1pwyf.

Row 4: k3, *p1, k1* repeat until 4 stitches before end of row, p1, k2, sl1pwyf.

Repeat Rows 1-4 until your scarf measures approximately 1.8m in length, knit rows 1&2 once more before moving onto finishing rows.

Finishing Row 1: k until 1 stitch remains, sl1pwyf.

Finishing Row 2: Cast off knitwise.

video tutorial