It’s started to get chilly in the mornings here in Philadelphia. It warms up as the day goes on, yet there’s still a sense of fall in the air. One morning, without warning, it will be cold. And even though I only have a short walk to the shop, I hate to be cold. In preparation for that day, I knit the Montana Scarf.
Made from Tahki Montana yarn, a beautiful bulky 100% unprocessed wool roving, the Montana Scarf is a whopping 7 inches wide by 84 inches long. In the event of extreme cold, you could wrap it around your nose and mouth – even over your head, if you wanted. And while it’s large and warm, it’s light and comfortable.
Here’s the pattern for the Montana Scarf.
MONTANA SCARF
SIZE
approximately 7” by 84”
MATERIALS
3 hanks of Tahki Montana yarn in bark
12″ US 13 straight needle
GAUGE
4.25 sts = 1 inch in stitch pattern, but gauge is not critical for this project
STITCH PATTERN
Row 1 (right side) – *K3, p3; repeat from * to end.
Row 2 – *K1, p1; repeat from * to end.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2.
SCARF PATTERN
CO 30 stitches. Begin stitch pattern with Row 1. Repeat until work reaches 84 inches.
Bind off loosely and weave in ends.
For now, the scarf is on display in the shop. I hope it’s a while before I need it!






{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the pattern thanks for sharing it with us.
I just cast on the 30 sts and k3,p3. I had 2 sts left over, what do i do? thanks!
Cindy
Hi Cindy,
Just take a look again and make sure you cast on 30 stitches and that you’ve knit 3 and purled 3 across the whole row. I think you’ll find you’re count is off 1 stitch.
Hope that helps!
Hi Craig!
I just cast this on at lunch . . .
I recently finished a pair of mittens for one of my friends, and of course, she now wants a scarf to go with them! I thought this pattern would be perfect! I’m actually using a lighter weight yarn (a little heavier than worsted weight), so I am using smaller needles (10 1/2) and started with 36 stitches. So far it looks amazing!
I bet next she will be asking for a hat to match too – ah well, the life of a knitter is always busy!
Thanks for sharing your “recipe!”
Hi Craig,
Thank you SO much for this pattern! I usually get little bursts of energy to try out new patterns, and this one is looking SO beautiful! I’m making a rustic green one for my boyfriend and a black lambs wool one for myself… WHICH by the way, will be replacing the $42 scarf I was asking for a Christmas present! Yay for saving money!
Hope you’re staying warm on this election night. It’s 70 degrees here in Chicago! Who would’ve guessed? They’ll be selling hot chocolate at Obama’s rally haha
the stitch pattern is really cool thanks for the pattern!
You’re welcome. Glad you like it!
Thanks for the pattern. I’ve been looking fo something to use with the stash of Lopi yarn. This sounds like just the ticket. We also live where snow and wind make it unplesant to walk to the car in the mornings.
Great pattern..I cast on yesterday using some Noro I had in stash..and it’s growing beautifully!..Thank you!
Thanks for the pattern. I started this today (Monday, December 22) at work as a Christmas present for myself. The pattern is one I can easily remember and it works up beautifully. I know I will be making this scarf again and again. Thank you very much!!
Thanks for the great pattern! I’m making it with a beautiful deep smoky plum 100% baby alpaca (so soft and lofty) and it is coming out beautifully! I’m almost done and can’t wait to wear it. Cast on 24 stitches and am using 10 1/2 needles, so it is about 5 3/4″ wide. Love the alternative-rib type pattern, as it doesn’t curl in and so no need to block it. Thanks again! My husband really likes it, too, so will make it in wool for him.
I would really like to make a matching hat for this scarf, but am not sure how many to cast on, but more importantly, how to do the decreases so as not to lose the established pattern. Do you by any chance have a pattern for the hat to match this scarf? If not, do you think if I worked the decreases (k2tog or p2tog) only on the K1,P1 rows that it would come out alright? Thank you in advance for your thoughts and expertise!
I really like this pattern and have knit it up about 5 times now. It works well with all kinds of yarns. In knitting it up as written, I found the pattern was not matched on the two sides and it appears to come out evenly if you knit it in multiples of 6 plus 3, so casting on 27 or 33. Thanks for posting this. It’s a great pattern for guys!!
This is a great pattern! I loved knitting it. I made two, in forest green and navy, as Christmas gifts. Thanks!
I love this pattern, it is my favorite for a man’s scarf pattern. I made it up in a hunter green. Next one will be for myself. I really like how it has the same look on both sides. Thanks for sharing it.
I love this pattern! I’ve made 3 different scarves for my 3 college kids. I’ve made them in collegiate stripes in their own colors and they love them!!!! My husband even asked for one and we live in FLORIDA!!! Thanks for this pattern.
does the second row……knit 1, purl 1, go directly on top of the knit 3, purl 3???
Yes, it does.
I actually have a yarn from Montana (Mountain Colors, from Corvalis, MT) that I think will make up beautifully in this pattern for my guy. It’s a merino wool multi-color twist – We’ll see. Definitely need it in the wind and cold out there! I didn’t know if you are familiar with the Mountain Colors yarns or not – They are beautiful!
Love the Montana Scarf….can I make a hat using this pattern?
Craig, thanks for this pattern it makes a great ‘stash reducer’. I am making it for my husband for our visit to Maine next week, just thought you might like to know that your pattern has gone international. Jeanette (from England)
Thanks for taking the Montana Scarf international, Jeanette! I’m glad you like it!
re; the montana scarf. How do you recommend binding it off?
Thanks. I really love the pattern and am knitting a couple of scarfs for women at a transitional housing facility for Three Kings day.
I would bind off in pattern. So knit the knits and purl the purls as they appear.
Thanks so much.
This is a great pattern! Is there a Montana hat to match?
There isn’t a hat pattern, but it’s a good idea. I’ll put it on my to-do list!
Made this scarf, except much shorter. I used a two-toned yarn, and it’s absolutely beautiful! thanks for the pattern. this scarf kept me warm ALL winter, and what a winter it was!
Angela, your scarf sounds beautiful! This was definitely a winter for a good scarf. Glad you liked the pattern.
I found this via a Ravelry search “Man Scarf.” ; ) Love the stitch. Thanks, Craig. Here’s an idea: I started my version with an inch of K3, P3 ribbing (gleaned from another Man Scarf). It draws in the edge ever so slightly – a nice beginning and finish.
I’m glad you like the pattern, Jill! Adding the ribbing at the ends is a great idea. I need to try that next time. Thanks!
Hi Craig – Thanks for this great pattern! I’m planning on making it for my boyfriend after I finish another project. My question is that I’ve seen some scarves where the ends curl in, but yours doesn’t seem to have that problem. Is it because of the bulky yarn? I’m using a slightly different yarn (Cascade 128 Superwash) that calls for size 10 needles, so still on the thicker side. Do you think I’ll encounter that problem? Thanks again!
Hi Catherine, I didn’t have a problem with curling on any of the scarves I’ve made and I followed the pattern as it’s written. I think Jill’s suggestion, though, is a good one that maybe you should try. Just start and end with an inch or two of K3, P3 ribbing. Have fun!
I am always looking for interesting but easy stitch patterns. I love this scarf and now I plan to make one for my dearest uncle. Thanks a bunch. I think I will try the rib rows as well. Just thanks
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