Happy Accident Scarf Pattern

The mistake rib stitch pattern is very easy but looks more complicated than it is – every row is the same. If it did evolve from a mistake, it was a happy accident that results in a lovely fabric

This stashbuster scarf makes use of all those little dribs and drabs of yarn you probably have left over from other projects, too small for single skein projects but too big to just throw out. For best results, use the same weight of yarn and the same type of fiber. Beyond that, mix colors and styles to your heart’s content. A multi-colored corkscrew fringe adds another element of fun to this design.

Your stripes will be random widths, depending on how much yarn is in each ball. For example, if your stash happened to have several small balls of yarn that are the same colors as the highlighters on my desk, you may end up with something like the sketch. I have a lot of Cascade 220 wool remnants from a log cabin blanket I’m making that will be perfect for this project.

Materials

500-700 yards of aran or worsted weight yarn, random amounts of various colors (see notes above)
One pair size 10.5 needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
Tapestry needle

Pattern notes
Mistake Rib: *K2,P2* to last 3 stitches, K2, P1

Gauge: 20 stitches = 4 inches in mistake rib pattern

Sizes: Child/SouthernCalifornia (Tween/Central California, Woman/Northern California, Man/Minnesota)

Scarf
Cast on 23 (23, 27, 31) stitches. Work every row in mistake rib pattern. Whenever you come to the end of a ball of yarn, or when the spirit moves you, change to a new yarn.
Work until piece is as long as the intended wearer is tall, or about 42 (56, 64, 70) inches from cast on row.
Bind off in pattern.

Corkscrew Fringe

Make 20 (20, 24, 28). Each corkscrew can be a different color, you can make matched pairs, or all corkscrews can be the same color.

Cast on 36 stitches.
Row 1: Increase by knitting into front, back, and front again of each stitch
Row 2: Bind off, purlwise
Twirl around your finger to form into corkscrew shape.

Finishing
Attach 5 (5, 6, 7) corkscrews to each side of each end of the scarf. Center a corkscrew at the end of each prominent rib of knit stitches.

Weave in all ends. Wear with flair.