Hopscotch Scarf – Free Knitting Pattern

Klik hier voor de Nederlandse versie

Hey everyone! As promised, here is the pattern for my Hopscotch scarf. For more photos and info on this pattern, have a look at my reveal post. Enjoy!

Did you know that the Hopscotch Scarf pattern is also available as a handy printable PDF?

For a small fee you get access to a lovely full colour PDF with photos as well as a printer friendly version with only the essential info. Buying the pattern makes it easier to take with you on the go and also supports me as a designer! Click here to purchase your PDF’s now!

Hopscotch Scarf Pattern

Materials

1 ball of Scheepjes Whirl, Wooly WhirlFrosted Whirl or Whirlette. (This example is made using Bubblelickioius Woolly Whirl -474)
3mm needles
Darning needle for weaving in ends
Blocking materials (I use blocking boards, wires and knit blockers for long straight projects like this)

Gauge / Tension

36 sts and 40 rows over 10cm x 10cm in stockinette stitch (unblocked)

Measurements

35cm x 300cm (Blocked)

Abbreviations

knit
k2tog knit two together decrease (knit the next two stitches together as one)
p purl
RS right side (front side of your work)
st(s) stitch(es)
yo yarn over (wrap yarn once counter clockwise around right needle)
(…) repeats. Repeat the stitches within the brackets the amount of times indicated after the bracket before continuing with rest of row (see pattern notes for further explanation).

Pattern Notes

This is a very straightforward and beginner friendly pattern that is very easy to follow, but still results in a lovely, highly versatile and wearable scarf. It will require blocking in order to achieve its desired size and drape, and to open the lace pattern up. You can find a great tutorial on blocking here from Kirsten at Haak Maar Raak.

If you are a beginner at reading charts, I have included the written instructions for you as well. I would recommend trying to follow the chart along with the written instructions, as chart reading is an invaluable skill for any knitter and this is a good way to learn. Read the notes on the chart sheet carefully and pay particular attention to which row you are on and what the symbol stands for on that row. For example, a dot will be a purl on a right side row, but a knit on the wrong side rows. This is an easy chart that will make for good practice.

The stitch count never changes for this scarf. For every row you should have 71 stitches. If you have more, you have likely added a yarn over where you shouldn’t, or forgotten to knit two together. If you have fewer, you may have forgotten a yarn over at some point.

For beginners who aren’t familiar with repeats, when you see something in ( these kinds of brackets ), that means that you repeat what is IN the brackets the amount of times it states AFTER the brackets. So for example, with row 10 when it states  K12, (p11, k7) x 2, p11, k12, you will knit 12, then (purl 11 and knit 7) TWICE, then purl 11 and knit 12.

When you see double brackets, some stitches are repeated multiple times within a larger repeat. Don’t panic, look below and I will explain.

Row 11 says K5, ((yo, k2tog) x 4, k10) x 3, (yo, k2tog) x 4, k4.

That means you k5, then do the following three times: yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog, k10 (so three repeats of 4x yo, k2tog and k10) Then yo, k2tog four more times and finally k4. If you are still confused or get stuck at some point, try comparing to the chart. I’ve singled out row 11 below to show you.

If you click the photo above you can see it larger. It shows the repeats within those brackets in a way that may be a bit clearer for the visual learners out there. Remember that this row is an odd numbered (right side) row and so should be read from right to left.

Pattern Instructions

Cast On 71 sts.
Knit 7 rows.
Beginning at stitch 1 of Row 1, work the 71 stitch pattern a total of 16 times (see below for written instructions for chart).
Repeat chart rows 1 – 37 once more.
Knit 7 rows.
Bind off. Weave in ends and block to dimensions given in measurements.


Written Chart Instructions

The below rows are for what is on one repeat of the chart only. Be sure to read above for full pattern instructions.

Row 1 (RS): Knit. (71 sts)
Row 2: Knit.
Row 3: K5, (yo, k2tog) x 31, k4.
Row 4: Knit.
Row 5: Knit.
Rows 6 – 9: Repeat rows 2 – 5.
Row 10: K12, (p11, k7) x 2, p11, k12.
Row 11: K5, ((yo, k2tog) x 4, k10) x 3, (yo, k2tog) x 4, k4.
Row 12: K12, (p11, k7) x 2, p11, k12.
Row 13: Knit.
Rows 14 – 29: Repeat rows 10 – 13 four times.
Row 30: Knit.
Row 31: K5, (yo, k2tog) x 31, k4.
Row 32: Knit.
Row 33: Knit.
Rows 34 – 37: Repeat rows 30 – 33.
Row 38: K12, p47, k12.
Row 39: K5, (yo, k2tog) x 4, k46, (yo, k2tog) x 4, k4.
Row 40: K12, p47, k12.
Row 41: Knit.
Rows 42 – 45: Repeat rows 38 – 41.
Row 46: Knit.
Row 47: K5, (yo, k2tog) x 31, k4.
Row 48: Knit.
Row 49: Knit.
Rows 50 – 53: Repeat rows 46 – 49.
Row 54: K12, p47, k12.
Row 55: K5, (yo, k2tog) x 4, k46, (yo, k2tog) x 4, k4.
Row 56: K12, p47, k12.
Row 57: Knit.
Row 58 – 60: Repeat rows 54 – 56

Chart Download 

Click the photo below for a larger, printable chart PDF, including a pattern summary.

Don’t forget to use the hashtag #HopscotchScarf and tag me on Instagram or Facebook to be sure I don’t miss your updates! You can also click here to add Hopscotch to your favourites!

WHERE TO BUY

This project can be made with any Scheepjes Whirl, Wooly WhirlFrosted Whirl or Whirlette!

UK and International buyers can find Whirl at WoolwarehouseBlack Sheep Wools and Deramores.
Canadian and International buyers have a great option with Knotty House.
Those of you in the Netherlands can find all you need at Caro’s Atelier.

You can also ask your preferred Scheepjes retailer or find a shop near you!

This post contains affiliate links. This is a way for you to support Canadutch and me as a designer. It is no extra cost to you, but if you shop via one of these links, I get a small percentage of the sale!

Copyright 2018, Tammy Canavan-Soldaat. This pattern and pictures are the property of Tammy Canavan-Soldaat. All rights reserved. Pattern is available for personal use only. No unauthorized reproduction, in whole or in part, or distribution of this pattern or content, including text or pictures is allowed. You may sell items made from this pattern but no commercial mass reproduction from this pattern is allowed without prior permission from the designer. Please give credit by linking back to www.canadutch.nl.

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42 comments

  1. I am a bit confused. The pattern indicates to knit both rows 1 and 2 but the chart indicates to knit on even rows and purl on odd numbered rows.

    • Hi Paula, the chart is correct. Rows 1 and 2 are both knit. On the chart row 1 (which is right side) is a blank square, which is knit on rs and purl on ws and row 2 (which is wrong side) is the dots, which is knit on wrong side and purl on right side. :)

  2. Melina Bt. Hassan

    Hi Tammy!
    I want to make this scarf wider is it possible to double the stitches? Thank you in advance for your reply

    • Hi Melina, yes it’s possible to make it wider, you’d just have to add extra to the middle section. One way to do this would be to add extra repeats of stitches 14 – 31 from the chart, so you get more of the ‘blocks’ across the width. :)

  3. Dear Tammy,

    Please help I can’t seem to come even close to the gauge you have listed. I bought a skein of Scheepjes, Whirl and my knitting is so loose with 3.5 mm needles. it’s limp, like over cooked spaghetti. I’ve gone down to a 1.75 mm needle and 36 stitches is measuring 12 centimeters.

    I am very experienced knitting socks with small 2.0 mm and 2.25 mm needles. My knitting friends all say I night tightly.

    Do you have an advice?

    • Hi Eugenie,
      I’m not sure what the problem may be. The pattern calls for a gauge using 3mm in stockinette stitch. The gauge is SLIGHTLY smaller than my usual whirl gauge as I measured it using Woolly Whirl I made it with which can be very slightly thinner. It’s been made with regular whirl with no issues though. You’re sure you’re doing stockinette stitch and not garter stitch, right? I have one tester who is an extremely tight knitter and she usually has to go up a size to meet my gauge. She used a 2.75mm for this project using regular whirl, so I think the yarn weight of the Woolly Whirl affected the gauge somewhat. I can’t imagine why you’d have to go down so low, though, and still be too big. I’m completely stumped!

  4. Hi Tammy. I love your pattern.
    But I have one question on row 11.
    I read your note, but still cannot understand(i am a beginner of knitting)
    Row11 says k5,((yo,k2tog)x4,k10)x3,(yo,k2tog)x4,k4
    I think (yo,k2tog) needs 3 sts for knitting.
    So row11 need 87 sts, but we start 71sts at first.
    Where did I make a mistakes??

    • Hi there, sorry for the late reply. The ‘yo’ is a stitch that only exists once you make it. It’s an increase in knitting but the k2tog is a decrease, so they cancel each other out. When you work a (yo, k2tog) you are creating one stitch with your yo, then knitting two stitches together which decreases to make up for it. So it only uses two existing stitches.:)

    • Loving the scarf. I want to make sure I’m understanding correctly. Do I repeat the pattern (rows 1 – 60) 16 times? Thank you

  5. Hi Tammy, love your pattern, can you give the summary in dutch?

  6. Is it possible that a crochet version could follow? I love this pattern and the way it looks finished is incredible, but I can’t knit to save my life

    • Hi Clare :) No there will be no crochet version of this pattern. While I did do that for the Crochet Between the Lines, that was an exception. While it is probably possible to create something that, from a distance, looks similar, it’s impossible to create the delicate stitches and effects you get with knitting, in crochet.

      I’d be happy to help you if you wanted to try to learn to knit, though. There are a lot of new knitters working on this pattern in the Scheepjes groups on Facebook and they are getting along great. Knitting is not difficult, no more than crochet, it just seems daunting when you are starting out. :)

  7. Hi Tammy, what a beautiful design. I have included your pattern in our latest Top 10 in Craft roundup. https://craftylikegranny.com/lifelong-learning-of-craft/ Cheers Jodie :)

  8. HI Tammy,
    I love your pattern and bought yarn to knit it.
    Is it possible that a little mistake ended up in the pattern? When I look at the pics I see that the last few stitches on the sides of the scarf are always knitted. They never look purled. But the pattern does not show this for the rows where there are the long lines of yo, k2og.
    Perhaps I am mistaken……
    Hope you find time to answer.

    • Hi Jo-Anna, I’m not sure what you mean? On the long yo, k2tog rows, the knitted stitches are shown on the chart as white squares (as you see from the key, this white square is a knit stitch on right side/odd numbered rows and a purl stitch on wrong side/even numbered rows). The only difference is that those rows have only 4 knit stitches (white squares) at the end as the last k2tog in that row creates the first knit stitch for the edge. Hopefully that clears it up but if not, let me know and we’ll figure it out! :)

      • Hi Tammy,

        So on the long yo, k2tog you end up with a flat piece of work (like in between the 4 (yo, 2ktog) in the middle? And next to the squares with yo, k2tog one gets only knitted stitches, not purled?
        Trying to understand…

        • All of the edge stitches are knit on each row, which creates a garter stitch edge. It should look the same along the edges as it looks on the first rows where you knitted 7 rows, that is garter stitch. You shouldn’t be purling any of the edge.

  9. Hello

    I’m eager to try your scarf pattern (thanks for making it free). I’ve cast on 71 stitches on a 3mm needle but it looks a bit thin – the width is 15cm. Will it really double in width when it’s blocked or have I done something wrong?

    • Hi Rebecca :) Have replied on FB but hope you are getting along ok now!

      • Hi! I have the same problem and couldn’t find your answer on FB….

        • Hi Betty, did you do a gauge swatch before starting the scarf? If you are on gauge then it should work out fine. HaVe you knitted any of it at all or are you just going by the cast on itself?

          • I’ve tried to find the gauge in the 10×10 and couldn’t match my gauge (gonna try with another number),but this morning I started with the cast and made 8 rows and guess what…Looks like i’ve got 35 centimeters in my needles …

  10. Lovely! Thank you!

  11. Jammer dat het niet in het Nederlands is

  12. Oops, I think I wrote ”because of the yarn over”. I meant because of the k2tog, not yo.

  13. I’m on a row 11 but that just doesn’t make any sense for me. I’m following the pattern and when I should have 22 stitces still left on the left needle I only have 10 stitches (because of the yarn overs). Is there something I just don’t understand? What do I do wrong?

    ps I LOOOVE this scarf!

    • Hi there, without seeing your work it’s difficult to know where you may have gone wrong. Have you read the pattern notes section? In that section I used row 11 to explain how to do the repeats, are you doing it as I described? I’m so glad you like the scarf! Have a look at the pattern notes and if it still isn’t working out, let me know and we’ll try to figure out where you’ve gone wrong.

  14. Thank you. Particularly for the chart and advice how to read it. I will definitely give it a go using a chart for the first time. 😀

  15. Thank you for this beautiful pattern

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