Najdi Scarf in Rowan Moordale - Downloadable PDF

Najdi Scarf in Rowan Moordale

What is Being Made

The Najdi Scarf is a downloadable knitting pattern designed by Martin Storey for Rowan yarns. This project creates a colorful circular scarf using a combination of knitting techniques and multiple yarn colors to achieve a distinctive Fair Isle design.

Yarn and Materials

This pattern uses Rowan Moordale, a DK weight yarn. The scarf requires six different colors of Moordale yarn:

• Ash 010 – 1 x 100gm ball
• Turmeric 003 – 3 x 100gm balls
• Thai 005 – 1 x 100gm ball
• Beetroot 007 – 1 x 100gm ball
• Blue Moor 008 – 1 x 100gm ball
• Sloe 017 – 1 x 100gm ball

Needles Required

The pattern calls for two different needle sizes to create varying fabric densities:

• 3¼mm (US 3) circular needle – no more than 40 cm long, or a set of 4 double-pointed 3¼mm needles for the ribbed cuff
• 4mm (US 6) circular needle or double-pointed needles – for the main Fair Isle pattern section

When using double-pointed needles, stitches are distributed evenly across 3 needles with the 4th needle serving as the working needle.

Knitting Techniques Used

This advanced beginner pattern incorporates multiple knitting techniques to create visual interest and texture:

• Two-Color Ribbing – The scarf begins with a 2-color rib worked in rounds, alternating between two yarn colors (Yarn A and Yarn B) to create a striped ribbed cuff measuring 3 cm in length
• Fair Isle Technique – After the ribbed section, the pattern transitions to Fair Isle colorwork, a traditional technique where multiple yarn colors are carried across the back of the work and used to create patterned stitches. Yarn not in active use is carried loosely across the wrong side of the fabric
• Circular Knitting – The entire scarf is worked in the round using circular needles or double-pointed needles, eliminating the need for seaming

Stitches and Stitch Pattern

The Najdi Scarf employs fundamental knitting stitches combined in a charted pattern:

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches – Used to create the 2-color ribbed foundation, which provides elasticity and structure at the scarf's edge
• Stockinette Stitch (st st) – The main body of the scarf is worked entirely in stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, flat fabric ideal for displaying Fair Isle colorwork
• 16-Stitch Pattern Repeat – The Fair Isle design is based on a 16-stitch repeat that is worked 3¼ times around each round, allowing the pattern to repeat multiple times across the circumference of the circular scarf

Pattern Construction and Skill Level

Rated as advanced beginner, this pattern is suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques and are ready to explore color work. The combination of 2-color ribbing and Fair Isle patterning introduces knitters to managing multiple yarn colors while maintaining consistent tension. The use of a charted pattern guide helps knitters follow the colorwork sequence accurately, making this an excellent intermediate project for developing Fair Isle skills.