Free Unisex Scarf Patterns Suitable for the Red Scarf Project

All photos in this post used with permission of Gale Zucker, who donates her gorgeous photography and her time for this wonderful project. 

I have some top-flight friends, I'll tell you that.  Yesterday while I was feeding construction workers (not as exciting as it sounds -- there was no Alfredo there, but I'll take an order of that over pasta, please -- hold the pasta) and reading and answering angsty emails and dealing with other pressing things in my life, I got some wonderful emails from friends. 

Our Lovely Cookie (tm) took the initiative, and was over there on the other coast looking up unisex patterns and sending them to me.  There are several listed on the OFA website Red Scarf page, but beyond that, she has compiled a list of winners. 

So here are some more awesome patterns:

There is Paula's Corrugator Scarf (opens to a PDF) which is always perfect, and it is what I am knitting right now.  Paula has knitted several of these scarves for the Red Scarf Project -- I believe she knitted three or four to my one last year! -- and they're always gorgeous, in either patterned sock yarn or plain colors or tweeds. Paula is a Canadian who simply does this out of the goodness of her heart and because she's my friend. She also donated countless hours of her time last year making the donor's spreadsheet and awarding the prizes for donations to the Red Scarf Fund.   I doubt I have ever thanked her enough.

And then there's this list, compiled by Cookie, with an addition or two of my own.  (My apologies for some wonky formatting to follow.  I can't seem to figure out how to fix some of these underlining errors, etc., but I think all the links work.)

Steam (opens to a PDF) :  http://d-made.com/knitting/patterns/Steam_scarf.pdf

Irish Hiking Scarf  :  http://www.helloyarn.com/irishhikingcarf.htm

Shifting Sands Scarf  :  http://www.grumperina.com/knitblog/shiftingsands.htm

My So Called Scarf  :  http://www.sheepinthecity.prettyposies.com/archives/000079.html

Palindrome  (if used with a thinner yarn)  :  http://www.cometosilver.com/patterns/palindrome.htm

Besotted  (if used with a thinner yarn)  :  http://www.helloyarn.com/besottedcarf.htm

Celtic Cable Scarf (opens to a PDF):  http://www.kraemeryarns.com/patterns/pdfs/CelticCableScarf.pdf

Red Herring Scarf :  http://www.cogknition.org/patterns/red_herring_scarf/

Inner Truth (first published in MagKnits) : http://www.straw.com/cpy/patterns/scarves/pandasilkDK-InnerTruth-scarf.html

Twin Rib Scarf found on this page

Flo by Jennifer Carter (Ravelry free download)

Cable Scarf :http://knittingonthenet.com/patterns/scarfcable.htm

Gathered Scarf:  http://www.monster-yarn.com/gathered-scarf-for-your-m.html

And this one's always a favorite of knitters:  Yarn Harlot's One-Row Scarf

Look at those gorgeous things.

P.S.  What I was trying to say yesterday, and apparently didn't do it artfully enough for everyone, is that I am sure that none of us are the ones sending in the "wrong kind" of scarves. That is what I meant by saying I am preaching to the choir.  It is groups that hear about it in newspapers or wherever else they might hear about it, and who misinterpret the mission, misinterpret the recipients, etc., and send in dozens and dozens of just plain bad scarves.  What I was asking was please, would you be willing to do MORE, so that instead of the numbers being 60% crap, 30% good, 10% GREAT, could you please help out so that it's maybe 90% great?  How cool would that be, hm?

Comments

[Kristen]

You know, I could handle Alfredo with a side of pasta. Preferably on his side. Or chest. Or …

[Sarah]

These things can never be stated artfully enough for those who do not want to read such messages, I suppose.

I was thinking about the Reversible Cabled Brioche Stitch Scarf. Whaddya think?
http://fireflowerknits.wordpress.com/2007/10/23/reversible-cabled-brioche-stitch-scarf/

[marie in florida]

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/double-bump-scarf

a good one for a one skein scarf.

[Kate]

Oops - formatting took away part of the one row handspun link

http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2006/10/12/one_row_handspun_scarf.html

Happy 4th... a little early!

[Jennifer]

Excellent post Norma. I especially love the picture of the people. It totally says "I"m a cool person trying to make it in this world just like your son, daughter, niece, nephew, grandchild, etc. Please make me something that I will actually wear!"

I'm off to find some nice red yarn in my stash --- or barring that -- make a trip to my LYS.

I try to pass along your message to my charity knitting group too. We did caps for Save the Children and I was pretty appalled at some of the hats. I wanted to revert to my childhood and say "Gross me out with a spoon" but I thought it would be lost on some of the ladies.

Thanks for being such a great organizer. It hink it's good when you get on a soapbox and preach to the choir. It gives us a kick in the behind, too. I'm off to post a link to this great effort on my blog.

[Cathycrafter]

Thank you for the list - I as hoping you would publish one. Off to order some yarn now.

[Carole]

Excellent list of scarf patterns. I have a feeling that no one thinks they are sending in crap. Obviously, though, someone is!

[Wanda in AR]

Thanks for the lists of patterns.

[kathy]

Great patterns! I might even follow one instead of making it up as I go. Knitting from a pattern, what a concept.

[marylou]

I have a couple of patterns here, too, that I put up a two years ago for the project:
http://mlegan.files.wordpress.com/2006/11/simple-scarves.pdf

[grace]

Wonderful list, thanks for the effort to compile it!!!! When I blog today I am going to refer my readers to this list if they care to help out!!!

[marianne]

Most excellent list, thank you, Norma, Cookie, and Paula!
As to Alfredo, manOman! Be still my beating heart, yeah, it's corny, so what? again, manOman!

[Cindy in Happy Valley]

One more that makes a lovely unisex scarf, that's fun to knit! (I made one for me and one for my husband.)

http://douma.net/Karen/knitting/Accessory-Scarves/Multidirectional_Diagonal_Scarf.htm

It probably looks best in a multi (like Arucania) or striped (like Noro), but I bet it would look fab in the new Lamb's Pride shaded worsted. They have a dynamite red color out now.

[Gerrie]

That top picture is perfect for getting the message across-"I'm moving forward in life, knit me a scarf that can travel on *that* road."

The second and third ones have that professional edge that make the whole project feel important, serious and about beautiful product.

Thanks for posting, Norma, and thanks, Gayle, for sharing your work.

[Elizabeth]

Thanks for the links! I have to say that I rather thought the instructions from OFA would rather impel me to break out the cashmere than suddenly think "ooh, I need some Red Heart Homespun for this one!"

[Cheryl S.]

How about the DNA (Double Helix) scarf?
http://www.twosheep.com/helix/

[Cheryl S.]

Here are some others that look promising:

Connections: A Red Scarf: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/connections-a-red-scarf
Karins Gansey: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/karins-gansey-scarf
Voltair Scarf: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/voltaire-scarf

[knitnana]

I agree with Gerri - that top photo says exactly what we're knitting for..."upwardly mobile" is an anachronism of sorts, but it fits. With support and people to believe in us, all things are possible.

I'll knit one to add to the total, Norma. At least one.
(((hugs)))

[Seanna Lea]

Those are great photos. It helps to remember what we were like when we were in college (well, for some of us... I did not come close to looking upwardly mobile at Wellesley and more like poor country cousin) and how we would want to be treated.

I'll have to go by my lys and see what they have in the gorgeous, machine washable, dk weight. I love the matchmaker merino if they have any left!

[Doris]

Thanks for the great links. I haven't seen some of these before, and it would be fun to try something different. Got my yarn (cranberry red) yesterday, so now I just need to decide which of these great patterns to try. I also wanted to add that when I packed packages in October, there were several people there who had been through the program and were packing boxes so they could give back. That was a wonderful thing to see!

[Adrienne]

You've got me. I've never done one before 'cause I figured they had enough, but I know I can help up the nicely made, functional scarf ratio. Um, as long as I have time what with moving at the end of the month. Better go check on the deadline.

[Lucia]

Do you know I never noticed the dk-weight part before? I hope one I sent last year wasn't horrendously huge... but now I will know better. This means that Sibyl will become a Christmas gift, or possibly part of an afghan for Afghans. My imagination is already at work on that, as well as on scarves yet to come.

[Elaine]

Count me in. Have a Noro Silk Garden 2 stripe scarf already done, another on the needles, and I'm thinking, hmmmm, Pailindrome in a nice Kauni. (bought way too much for a mitered square afghan) Thank you for championing this wonderful cause.

[Jean E.]

Great post. Thanks for the pattern ideas. I'll make (at least) one.

[Manise]

Thanks for the links. I received my Cranberry Red yarn in the mail this week so I'll be casting on soon.

[Cookie]

Thanks for the links, Norma. I always think the Irish Hiking Scarf is a total winner because the first one I sent it was picked for a photo-op with you and some of those amazing young people.

I really need to look for some red yarn.

[Dee fm KS]

Just getting caught up reading your blog. Garden great, puppy great, and I love the rest of your blog, too. You make me miss Vermont. AT least in the summer. It is cool to read what you write and know where and what you are talking about. i.e. Intervale compost.....LOL. Have a great Fourth of July weekend.

[elizabeth a airhart]

thank you
gayles photo essays are always good

knitting pattern central is mainly free patterns

plus drops
thank you norma and gayle and cookie etc

its so hot in florida really is i am all inside out

[lynette]

thanks again so much for coordinating this.