gourdgeous knits is turning one! And to celebrate, I got a new free pattern for ya’. Meet the Kady Scarf, a super bulky beginner knit that’s soft, warm, and fashionable all in one. This scarf is kind of a big deal because it’s the very first pattern I ever wrote AND it led me to finally decide on the gourdgeous knits name. So yeah, there’s lots of champagne fizzing over here.
Scroll on down to read more about the design and inspiration, yarn choice, and step by step pattern. Plus check out the video tutorial on how to knit the Irish Moss Stitch.
Purchase the printable PDF pattern from Etsy or Ravelry, or save to your Pinterest board for later.
Design & Inspiration
I started knitting the Kady Scarf in November 2019 and I remember this specifically because I had to start my maternity leave a month before my due date due to high blood pressure and swelling (doctor’s orders), so I had a lot of time on my hands while waiting for my son to arrive. I remember taking a short trip to Joann’s just to get out of the house a bit to pick up a couple of odds and ends for some last minute baby things I was making. And of course, to check out the yarn aisle. But not to buy; just to browse. 😉 I had almost reached the register (yarn-less, btw), until I saw the clearance rack. And on said clearance rack sat three jumbo skeins of the prettiest pale pink yarn. I picked up one just for fun… and it was soooo soft!!! I had never used Buttercream Luxe Craft yarn before. And it was on sale! BONUS! I mean, come on, it HAD to be a sign. So I took home my lovely new yarn and immediately began making a scarf.
There was no question about it. The recommended knitting needle size was US 15 / 10.0mm according to the label, so that’s what I used. And since my favorite stitch is the Irish Moss, that’s just what I started knitting. Two skeins later, I had myself a lovely (and lengthy!) chunky scarf for the winter.
As for the name, I wanted something meaningful, so I researched Irish names to keep with the Irish stitch theme. I stumbled on Kady, which is a name of Irish origin that means “first”. Perfect!, I thought since this was my first pattern. The name gourdgeous knits quickly followed and is a spot-on representation of myself, my knits, and my love for fall.
The scarf measures approximately 76″ long x 9″ wide. Cast on 20 stitches with the Long-tail cast on method and work the Irish Moss Stitch flat for 190 rows. See my video tutorial below on how to knit this stitch. If you want to make your scarf longer or shorter, increase or decrease your total row count by multiples of four. Bind off in the pattern, weave in the ends, and wear the heck out of your new scarf. 😉
Added bonus: the Irish Moss Stitch is reversible, so the scarf will look the same on both sizes. Makes life a bit easier, right? I talk a little about this stitch in my earlier post; check out the Cozy Colorblock Blanket.
Yarn Choice
I used Buttercream Luxe Craft Alpaca Solids, a super bulky, category 6 yarn that’s exclusive to Joann’s. The colorway shown here is Pinky. This yarn is a blend of 80% acrylic and 20% alpaca, and is great for making warm, fashionable garments and accessories for winter. I used two skeins to make the Kady Scarf, which is approximately 260 yards (238 meters). The yarn is also machine-washable in cold water on a delicate cycle, but should be laid out flat to dry so it doesn’t felt.
Skill Level
This scarf is beginner-friendly. It’s worked flat, starting with the Long-tail cast on and worked in repeating rows of Irish Moss Stitch. To learn how to knit the Irish Moss Stitch, check out my video tutorial. You’ll need to know how to knit and purl, cast on and bind off to make the Kady Scarf. This makes a great project if you’ve never tried super bulky yarn or wider knitting needles before!
Pattern
Purchase the printable PDF pattern from Etsy HERE.
Purchase the printable PDF pattern from Ravelry HERE.
Pin to your Pinterest board for later HERE.
MATERIALS
2 skeins of Buttercream Luxe Craft Alpaca Solids or 260yds/238m of super bulky category 6 yarn
Size US 15/10.0mm knitting needles
Stitch markers (optional)
Tapestry needle (for weaving in the ends)
FINISHED SIZE
Length: 76″ / Width: 9″ (approx.)
GAUGE
9 sts x 10 rows = 4″ in Irish Moss Stitch
ABBREVIATIONS / EXPLANATIONS
*Pattern is written in standard US terms*
BO – bind off
CO – cast on
K – knit
P – purl
Rep – repeat
St(s) – stitch(es)
Irish Moss Stitch – work rows 1 & 2 as knit 1, purl 1, and repeat to the end of the row; then work rows 3 & 4 as purl 1, knit 1, and repeat to the end of the row
Bind off in pattern – knit the knit stitches and bind off; purl the purl stitches and bind off
Notes: Scarf is worked flat in Irish Moss Stitch. Use Long-tail cast on method. Cast on 20 stitches and work Irish Moss Stitch as explained above. Repeat rows 1-4 until row 190, then bind off in pattern, and weave in ends with a tapestry needle. To make your scarf longer or shorter in length, increase or decrease the total row count in multiples of 4 to complete the full Irish Moss Stitch look.
CO 20 sts.
Knit Irish Moss Stitch pattern as follows:
Rows 1 & 2: K1, P1, rep to end.
Rows 3 & 4: P1, K1, rep to end.
Rep rows 1 – 4 until row 190.
BO in pattern and weave in ends.
Contact
Please email me at gourdgeousknits@gmail.com if you have any questions about the pattern. Feel free to send and tag me in any photos of your works in progress and finished projects with #KadyScarf and #gourdgeousknits. I love seeing your knits and sharing them on my social media sites.
The patterns and photographs on this site are the property of Kristin Strecker-Kellogg of gourdgeous knits and are for personal, non-commercial use. The selling or distribution of these patterns physically or electronically are not permitted. Please credit gourdgeous knits when sharing on social media with #gourdgeousknits.
