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| Photos above © Craftown |
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| The photo above © Terhi Montonen |
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| The photo above © Grace and Alice Schnebly |
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| Photo above © cactuscathy2 |
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| Photo above © bunnyknitter |
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| Photo above © EIGHT-BY-SIX |
Birch Trees Scarf by Julia Marsh is a beautiful free lace knitting pattern featuring five panels of branching motifs framed by a neat moss-stitch border.
The repeating lace creates the impression of slender tree branches, giving the scarf an elegant woodland-inspired appearance without requiring lace-weight yarn.
Originally published in 2014, the pattern remains available today as a free Ravelry download from the designer.
✓ Free Pattern Availability
Birch Trees Scarf by Julia Marsh is currently available as a free Ravelry download. Use the official pattern link below to obtain the designer's current version.
Pattern: Birch Trees Scarf
Designer: Julia Marsh
First Published: April 2014
Craft: Knitting
Category: Scarf
Yarn Weight: DK / 8 ply
Yardage: Approx. 416–437 yd / 380–400 m
Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm
Gauge: 20 stitches × 30 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette
Finished Size: Approx. 64 × 10 in / 160 × 26 cm
Construction: Worked flat
Main Features: Branching lace panels and moss-stitch edging
Availability: Free Ravelry download
Birch Trees Scarf is a lace scarf designed by Julia Marsh.
Its main feature is a series of branching lace motifs arranged into five vertical panels. These openwork sections are surrounded by a textured moss-stitch border that helps frame the lace.
The result is decorative without being overly complicated, making the design particularly appealing to knitters who want to move beyond basic scarves and begin exploring simple lace.
The visual interest in Birch Trees comes from the repeated branching motif.
Rather than using cables or colorwork to create the tree-like effect, the design relies on lace techniques to form lines and openings in the knitted fabric.
Repeating the motif across five panels creates a strong vertical structure that becomes especially clear after blocking.
Julia Marsh gives the approximate finished dimensions as:
160 cm long × 26 cm wide
approximately 64 × 10 inches
These measurements provide a generously sized scarf that can be worn in several ways.
Remember that lace dimensions can change during blocking, so evaluate the finished size after the scarf has been washed and blocked appropriately for your yarn.
The pattern calls for approximately:
380–400 meters / 416–437 yards of DK-weight yarn
DK is a practical choice for this project because it creates visible lace without producing an extremely delicate fabric.
The thicker yarn also makes individual stitches easier to see than they might be in a very fine lace-weight scarf.
The designer specifies:
4.5 mm / US 7 straight knitting needles
The scarf is worked flat, so straight needles are sufficient.
You can also use another needle style appropriate for flat knitting if that is more comfortable for you, provided you obtain a suitable fabric and gauge.
The published gauge is:
20 stitches × 30 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch
For a scarf, exact fit is less critical than it would be for a sweater, but gauge still affects the width, length, drape and amount of yarn required.
If your gauge differs substantially, your finished scarf may use more or less yarn than the designer's estimate.
The lace panels are bordered by moss stitch.
This provides a textured contrast to the open lace while creating a visually defined edge around the scarf.
When working the project, pay attention to the transition between the border stitches and the lace panels. Keeping those sections clearly separated can make the repeating structure easier to follow.
According to the designer, the main knitting skills required include:
You do not need an extensive collection of advanced lace techniques to begin this project.
Birch Trees Scarf can be an attractive next project for a knitter who is comfortable with basic knit stitches and wants to begin working decorative openwork.
The repeating nature of the branching pattern helps establish a visual rhythm.
Once you understand how each repeat should look, the knitted fabric itself can help you notice mistakes.
The scarf contains five panels of the branching pattern.
This repetition is an important part of the design. Instead of one oversized motif, several narrow vertical sections create the appearance of a small stand of delicate trees.
As the scarf grows, those repeated lines become one of its strongest visual features.
Lace patterns depend on a balance between increases and decreases.
If a yarn over is forgotten or an extra stitch is accidentally added, the error may affect the alignment of the next repeat.
Count your stitches periodically rather than waiting until the end of a long section.
Finding a mistake quickly is usually much easier than correcting it many rows later.
Even a relatively simple repeating lace design becomes easier when you always know which row you have completed.
A row counter, paper checklist or digital counter can help prevent losing your place when you put the project down.
This is particularly useful when you are still learning to recognize the branching motif by sight.
If lace knitting is new to you, consider adding an occasional lifeline.
A smooth contrasting thread passed through a correctly completed row provides a safe point to return to if you later need to unravel part of the scarf.
It is a simple precaution that can make learning lace much less stressful.
The designer calls for DK-weight yarn, but fiber and color can have a significant effect on the appearance of the finished scarf.
A relatively smooth yarn can make the branching stitches easy to see. Wool and wool blends can also respond nicely to blocking.
If showing the tree motif clearly is your priority, consider how much visual competition the yarn itself creates.
Solid and gently tonal colors often emphasize stitch structure, while strongly variegated yarns can produce a busier appearance.
Yes. You do not need one specific brand of yarn to knit the pattern.
Look for a DK-weight substitute that gives you a fabric you like on approximately the recommended needle size.
Compare fiber content, yardage, drape and washing requirements before making your choice.
A swatch is especially useful if you are substituting a yarn with very different fiber characteristics.
Blocking is an important finishing step for lace.
Before blocking, the branching openings may appear smaller or less defined than expected. Appropriate blocking allows the stitches to settle and the lace structure to become clearer.
Use a method suitable for your yarn's fiber content and avoid excessive stretching.
Allow the scarf to dry completely before removing pins or other blocking aids.
Birch Trees Scarf has been knitted in many different yarns and colors. Project examples show how strongly yarn choice can change the personality of the same pattern.
Neutral shades emphasize the woodland character, while brighter colors turn the branching motif into a more graphic lace design.
This makes the pattern useful both as a classic everyday scarf and as a way to experiment with a special DK yarn.
Yes.
Birch Trees Scarf by Julia Marsh is currently available as a free download on Ravelry.
Amazing Knitting does not reproduce Julia Marsh's complete copyrighted knitting instructions. Use the official designer pattern page to obtain the current pattern.
Visit Julia Marsh's pattern page on Ravelry for the free download:
Get the Free Birch Trees Scarf Pattern →
If you enjoy this project, Amazing Knitting has more free scarf and lace-pattern discoveries to explore.
You may especially like Lamina by Karen S. Lauger, another free lace scarf pattern that we have verified and reviewed.
See the Free Lamina Scarf Pattern →
You can also browse:
Download the current pattern from Julia Marsh's Ravelry page, choose approximately 380–400 meters of suitable DK yarn and check that you are comfortable with the basic lace techniques used in the design.
Keep track of your rows and stitch count as you work, and remember that blocking is an important part of revealing the finished branching lace.
Pattern credit: Birch Trees Scarf was designed by Julia Marsh and first published in April 2014. The existing project photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to EIGHT-BY-SIX. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted pattern instructions.
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| Designed by © Knit Crush |
Looking for free knitting patterns? There are thousands of legitimate patterns available online for baby clothes, sweaters, blankets, scarves, socks, hats, toys and almost every other knitting project you can imagine.
The challenge is no longer simply finding a pattern. It is finding a reliable free pattern from a legitimate source, especially when older Pinterest pins and search results may lead to discontinued pages, outdated downloads or unofficial copies.
This guide will help you find free knitting patterns more safely and efficiently, whether you are searching the Amazing Knitting archive, a designer's website, a yarn company or a large knitting-pattern database.
About This Updated Guide
This Amazing Knitting article was originally published in 2019 as a link to an external roundup of more than 50 free-pattern websites. We have expanded the page into an independent resource for finding legitimate free knitting patterns without reproducing another publisher's list.
Free knitting patterns are published by many different types of websites.
Some come directly from independent designers. Others are published by yarn manufacturers, knitting magazines, craft websites or pattern databases.
The best source depends on what you are looking for, so it helps to understand the major types of free-pattern resources before beginning your search.
One of the best places to find a knitting pattern is the designer's own website.
Independent designers frequently publish selected patterns free while selling other designs.
Going directly to the designer has several advantages. You are more likely to find the current version of the pattern, corrections, additional photographs and notes from the person who actually created it.
If a pattern has been updated since its original publication, the designer's current page is usually preferable to an old copied version circulating elsewhere.
Major yarn companies can be excellent sources of free knitting patterns.
These companies publish patterns to demonstrate how their yarns can be used, which means their libraries often contain projects across many categories and skill levels.
You can find designs for:
Yarn-company libraries are especially useful because older patterns sometimes remain available long after the original printed booklet has disappeared.
Ravelry is one of the most useful resources for researching knitting patterns.
Rather than simply searching the web for a phrase such as “free baby cardigan,” you can narrow results using filters such as category, yarn weight, needle size, age, construction and availability.
Pattern records can also provide useful historical information such as the designer, publication date, suggested yarn and links to the current pattern source.
Remember that a Ravelry record does not automatically mean the pattern itself is still available. Always check the current availability shown on the pattern page.
Online knitting magazines have published many excellent free patterns over the years.
Some older designs remain available in permanent online archives, making these publications particularly useful when searching for classic knitting projects.
These sources can also be valuable because they often preserve useful information about the designer, yarn, gauge, construction and original publication date.
Large craft websites often organize patterns by project type or skill level, which can make them useful when you are looking for inspiration rather than one particular design.
A collection might focus on beginner scarves, baby booties, knitted toys or quick gifts.
When using a roundup, however, follow the link to the original pattern source whenever possible.
Knitting blogs remain another useful source of free patterns, tutorials and project inspiration.
Some bloggers are also pattern designers and publish complete original designs. Others curate projects from different designers.
The distinction matters.
When a blog is discussing somebody else's pattern, look for the designer's name and a clear link to the legitimate original source.
Knitters interested in historical projects can also explore digitized vintage knitting books, magazines and pattern leaflets.
Older knitting publications can contain fascinating sweaters, lace, socks, mittens and household projects that differ significantly from modern designs.
However, old does not automatically mean public domain. Copyright status depends on factors including publication date, jurisdiction and publication history.
If you plan to republish rather than simply knit from a vintage pattern, verify its copyright status first.
You can also browse the Amazing Knitting archive.
Our library includes hundreds of knitting discoveries covering baby clothes, blankets, sweaters, scarves, hats, socks, slippers, stitches, tutorials and other projects.
We are progressively reviewing older articles to identify original designers, verify pattern availability and direct readers toward legitimate current sources whenever possible.
Browse Free Knitting Patterns →
Baby projects are an excellent place to explore free patterns because there are designs for many different skill levels.
You can start with baby cardigans and sweaters:
Or browse baby booties:
And baby blankets:
Sweaters range from simple first-garment projects to advanced designs involving cables, lace or colorwork.
When choosing one, pay particular attention to:
Explore Free Sweater Patterns →
Blankets are another large category of free knitting patterns.
Depending on the design, a blanket can be a simple beginner project or an advanced combination of lace, cables, colorwork or modular knitting.
Baby blankets are particularly useful for practicing new techniques on a manageable scale.
Explore Free Blanket Patterns →
Scarves and cowls are useful projects for testing unfamiliar stitches without committing to the fit requirements of a sweater.
They are also good projects for experimenting with cables, lace, texture and unusual yarn.
One of the biggest problems with older knitting links is that pattern availability changes.
A pattern that was free ten years ago may now be paid, discontinued or completely unavailable.
Before calling a pattern free, check the current original source.
Look for clear wording such as:
If the only evidence that a pattern is free comes from an old Pinterest pin or an old roundup, verify it before downloading.
A pattern does not need to include a downloadable PDF to be genuinely free.
Some designers publish the complete pattern as a free webpage while offering an optional printable or ad-free PDF for a fee.
In that situation, describe the availability accurately: free web version with optional paid PDF.
This is more useful than simply labeling everything “free” or “paid.”
Older pattern databases can contain records for designs whose original downloads have disappeared.
A historical record is useful for identifying the designer and project, but it does not necessarily provide permission to download a copied PDF from another website.
If the legitimate source is gone, look for a currently available alternative instead of using an unauthorized copy.
Be cautious when a website offers a designer's PDF without clearly identifying itself as the designer, publisher or an authorized distributor.
A safer route is usually:
Another advantage of using the current source is access to corrections and updates.
Designers sometimes discover errors after publication and issue an updated PDF or an errata notice.
An old copy saved elsewhere may not include those corrections.
Older patterns frequently recommend yarns that have since been discontinued.
That does not necessarily make the pattern unusable.
Instead of searching only for the exact old yarn, compare:
Always make a gauge swatch before committing to a substitute yarn for a fitted garment.
Searching “free knitting patterns” can return an overwhelming number of results.
A more effective approach is to begin with a specific project:
Then narrow your choices according to yarn weight, size and skill level.
When you find a pattern you love, save more than the photograph.
Record the pattern name and designer.
This makes it much easier to find the legitimate pattern again if a Pinterest pin, bookmark or old website link stops working in the future.
Amazing Knitting is a curated discovery library rather than the owner of every pattern featured in its archive.
When a project belongs to another designer, our goal is to identify and credit that designer, provide useful independent information about the project and direct knitters to the legitimate pattern source.
If an old pattern that was once free has become paid or unavailable, we aim to make that clear rather than continuing to promise a free download that no longer exists.
Ready to find your next project? Browse the Amazing Knitting archive by project type.
Take a moment to confirm that you are using the current legitimate version.
Check the designer's name, current availability, size range, yarn requirements and whether any corrections have been published.
A few minutes of checking before casting on can prevent hours of frustration later in the project.
Editorial note: This article was originally published by Amazing Knitting in 2019 as a discovery link to a Knit Crush roundup. It has since been expanded into an original Amazing Knitting resource for finding and evaluating free knitting patterns. The original image used on this page is credited to Knit Crush.
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| Designed by © Rachel |
Scarves to Throws – Month 6 by Rachel Young is a lace scarf originally created for the Jimmy Beans Wool Scarves to Throws project.
First published in 2008, the design uses a repeating diamond-style lace pattern and worsted-weight yarn to create a lightweight scarf that opens beautifully after blocking.
This pattern was originally shared free online, but the exact original pattern is no longer available from its original source. This updated Amazing Knitting page therefore preserves the verified project information without reproducing or linking to an unauthorized copy of the instructions.
Pattern Availability Update
Scarves to Throws – Month 6 was originally distributed as a free knitting pattern through Jimmy Beans Wool. Ravelry now marks the original pattern as no longer available. Amazing Knitting does not provide archived or unofficial copies of the designer's instructions.
Pattern: Scarves to Throws – Month 6
Designer: Rachel Young
Publisher: Jimmy Beans Wool
First Published: April 2008
Craft: Knitting
Category: Scarf
Finished Size: Approx. 5.5 × 65 in
Original Yarn: Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted Multi
Yarn Weight: Worsted / Aran
Needles: US 10 / 6 mm
Style: Lace scarf
Original Sample Color: Cedar
Current Availability: Original pattern no longer available
Scarves to Throws was an unusual knitting project from Jimmy Beans Wool.
Instead of treating each scarf as an unrelated project, the series was conceived around multiple scarves that could ultimately become part of a much larger knitted piece.
Different months introduced different stitch patterns, giving knitters an opportunity to explore a variety of textures while working with coordinating yarns.
Month 6 was designed by Rachel Young and published in April 2008.
It is a lace scarf worked in worsted-weight yarn. The repeating openwork creates a geometric, diamond-like appearance while keeping the project relatively quick to knit.
The designer described it as an easy and fast lace pattern, making it appealing to knitters who want the appearance of lace without committing to a very fine lace-weight project.
The published finished dimensions are approximately:
5.5 inches wide × 65 inches long
The designer noted that the lace stretches considerably during blocking, so the scarf can look significantly shorter while it is still being knitted.
The original sample required only about 15 pattern repeats to block to approximately 65 inches in length.
The original design used:
Lorna's Laces Shepherd Worsted Multi
This is a 100% merino wool yarn with approximately 225 yards / 206 meters per 113 g skein.
The scarf pictured in the original pattern was knitted in the Cedar colorway.
The published needle size is:
US 10 / 6 mm
A relatively generous needle size for worsted-weight yarn helps produce the open fabric needed for the lace to expand during blocking.
As always, the published needle size should be treated as a starting point. Different knitters and substitute yarns can produce different fabrics on the same needle size.
One of the most important things to understand about this scarf is that its appearance changes during finishing.
Lace can look compressed and much shorter while it is still on the needles. After appropriate blocking, the openings become more defined and the fabric can gain considerable length.
This is why judging the final scarf solely from its unblocked length can be misleading.
Lace knitting does not require lace-weight yarn.
Using worsted-weight yarn makes the individual stitches easier to see and creates a more substantial scarf while still allowing yarn overs and decreases to form decorative openings.
For knitters beginning to explore lace, a project using larger needles and thicker yarn can also be easier to read than very fine lace.
If you want to create a similar scarf today, look for a smooth worsted-weight yarn with enough stitch definition to show the lace.
Wool and wool blends can work particularly well because appropriate blocking helps the lace settle into shape.
Variegated yarn can also suit this style nicely, reflecting the multicolor character of the original Lorna's Laces yarn.
A lace scarf of this type typically calls on skills such as:
Repeating lace patterns become easier once their visual rhythm begins to make sense.
Until that happens, use a row counter or checklist so you always know which row you have just completed.
It is also useful to count your stitches periodically. A missed yarn over or decrease can affect the alignment of the following repeats.
Blocking is especially important for this design because the original designer specifically noted how much the scarf stretches after blocking.
Before deciding that your scarf is too short, finish a representative swatch and block it using a method appropriate for your chosen fiber.
That will give you a much better idea of how the final fabric behaves.
Month 6 was not the only design in the original series.
Jimmy Beans Wool published a collection of different monthly scarf designs using a variety of techniques, including lace, cables, drop stitches, entrelac and other textured patterns.
The broader project allowed the individual scarves to work as separate accessories or as components of a larger throw.
Jimmy Beans Wool also published guidance about joining the completed Scarves to Throws pieces.
Their later tutorial discusses using a modified mattress-stitch method to sew the long knitted sections together.
This is useful inspiration even if you are creating your own modern version of the concept using different verified scarf or panel patterns.
The pattern was originally free, but the original pattern is no longer available.
Ravelry maintains the historical pattern record for Scarves to Throws – Month 6 by Rachel Young, but currently states that the pattern is no longer available.
For that reason, Amazing Knitting does not provide an unofficial PDF, archived copy or transcription of the original instructions.
This page instead preserves the verified information about the project and helps knitters understand the yarn, construction concept and lace style.
Ravelry still maintains the pattern record, project photographs and basic specifications for the original design.
View Scarves to Throws Month 6 on Ravelry →
Since the original Month 6 instructions are no longer available, the safest option is to choose a currently available free lace scarf rather than downloading an unofficial copy of the discontinued pattern.
Amazing Knitting already has an excellent verified free option: Lamina by Karen S. Lauger.
Lamina is a free lace scarf with a large leaf motif. Its updated Ravelry version includes both written instructions and charts, while the original pattern is also available free from Knitty.
See the Free Lamina Scarf Pattern →
You can also explore more currently available scarf projects from the Amazing Knitting archive.
Explore Free Scarf Knitting Patterns →
You can also browse lace scarf patterns, worsted-weight scarves, and free lace knitting patterns.
If your goal is to reproduce the exact original Month 6 scarf, be aware that the designer's pattern is currently unavailable. Avoid websites offering copied PDFs or transcribed instructions without permission.
For a new project, choose a currently available pattern, make a swatch with your chosen worsted-weight yarn and remember that lace dimensions can change considerably after blocking.
Pattern credit: Scarves to Throws – Month 6 was designed by Rachel Young and originally published through Jimmy Beans Wool in April 2008. The original pattern is currently listed as no longer available. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted knitting instructions or provide unauthorized pattern copies.
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| Photo above © Foxberryjam |
Lamina by Karen S. Lauger is an elegant knitted lace scarf built around a bold leaf motif with distinctive wavy garter-stitch tips.
Originally published in Knitty's First Fall 2010 issue, Lamina is designed especially well for variegated yarn and is worked in two matching halves from the center outward. The pattern remains completely free, with both the original Knitty version and an updated Ravelry download available today.
✓ Free Pattern Availability
Lamina remains available as a free knitting pattern. The updated Ravelry download includes both written instructions and charts, while the original pattern remains available free from Knitty.
Pattern: Lamina
Designer: Karen S. Lauger
Published In: Knitty, First Fall 2010
First Published: July 2010
Craft: Knitting
Category: Scarf
Size: One size
Finished Width: Approx. 7 in / 18 cm
Finished Length: Approx. 63 in / 160 cm
Suggested Yarn: Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend
Yarn Weight: DK / 8 ply
Needles: US 7 / 4.5 mm
Gauge: 18 stitches × 24 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette
Construction: Worked flat in two halves
Techniques: Lace, provisional cast-on, charts and increases/decreases
Availability: Free pattern
Lamina is a decorative lace scarf designed by Karen S. Lauger.
The name is especially appropriate: lamina means the blade of a leaf, and a large leaf shape forms the central visual feature of the scarf.
Rather than creating a small repeating leaf pattern across the entire fabric, the design uses a much bolder motif, accompanied by wavy garter-stitch tips.
After blocking, the original scarf measures approximately:
7 inches wide × 63 inches long
18 cm × 160 cm
These are the designer's finished measurements for the original version. As with most lace knitting, the dimensions can change noticeably during blocking.
Karen S. Lauger designed Lamina using Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend.
This is a DK-weight blend of approximately 70% merino wool and 30% silk, with about 150 yards / 137 meters per 50 g skein.
The original Knitty version calls for two skeins.
The combination of wool and silk gives the yarn enough definition to show the lace while also providing softness and drape.
One of the designer's goals with Lamina was to create a scarf that could show off the beauty of variegated yarn.
The large-scale leaf design provides enough visual structure to remain interesting without relying on a solid-color yarn.
If you have a special hand-dyed DK yarn in your stash, this is the kind of project where its color changes can become an important part of the finished design.
The original Knitty pattern specifies:
US 7 / 4.5 mm straight needles
The published gauge is:
18 stitches × 24 rows = 4 inches / 10 cm in stockinette stitch
Remember that the recommended needle size is only a starting point. Use the needle size necessary for you to obtain an appropriate fabric and gauge.
One of the most interesting features of Lamina is its construction.
Instead of casting on at one end and knitting continuously to the opposite end, the scarf is worked in two halves from the center.
The first half begins with a provisional cast-on. After that half is completed, the provisional cast-on is removed and the live stitches are placed back on the needle.
The second half is then worked in the opposite direction.
This construction is particularly useful for a directional motif such as a leaf.
If the scarf were simply knitted from one end to the other, the motif would appear upright at one end and upside down at the other.
Working outward from the center allows the decorative elements to maintain a balanced orientation when the scarf is worn.
A provisional cast-on creates temporary cast-on stitches that can later be removed to expose live stitches.
Lamina uses this technique at the center of the scarf so the second half can be knitted directly from the first half's starting edge.
If provisional cast-ons are new to you, practice the technique on a small swatch before starting the scarf.
The central leaf is formed through carefully arranged yarn overs, decreases and increases.
These operations create both the open lace areas and the shaping that gives the motif its distinctive leaf-blade appearance.
The stitch count changes during parts of the design, so careful row tracking is useful.
The ends of Lamina contrast with the central lace through their sculptural, wavy appearance.
Garter stitch gives these areas additional texture while helping the scarf's ends stand apart visually from the main leaf section.
Blocking is important for revealing the final shape of these decorative ends.
Knitters have two useful options.
The original Knitty publication provides the pattern with charts, while Karen S. Lauger later made an updated free PDF available through Ravelry that includes written instructions as well as the charts.
This makes the newer version especially useful for knitters who prefer written lace instructions.
Helpful skills for knitting Lamina include:
The original design uses stitch markers to help separate the edging stitches from the main lace section.
This can make it easier to see whether an accidental increase or decrease has occurred before the error travels into the next section.
Lace projects become much easier when you always know which pattern row you have just completed.
Use a row counter, paper checklist or another method that works reliably for you.
Checking your progress regularly is especially helpful in Lamina because the shape evolves as you move through the charts.
If you are still becoming comfortable with lace, consider adding a lifeline after a correctly completed section.
A smooth contrasting thread passed through the live stitches gives you a safe point to return to if you later need to unravel several rows.
Blocking is an important finishing step for this design.
Lace often appears compressed while it is still on the needles. Appropriate wet blocking allows the leaf motif and decorative points to open into their intended shapes.
Follow the care requirements of your chosen yarn and use the designer's finished dimensions as a useful reference rather than aggressively stretching the fabric.
If you do not use the original Manos del Uruguay Silk Blend, look for a DK-weight yarn with enough stitch definition to show the lace clearly.
A smooth wool, wool blend or another yarn with suitable drape can work well, but always make a swatch before committing a special skein to the project.
Variegated and hand-dyed yarns are particularly worth considering because the original design was intentionally created to showcase them.
Yes. Lamina by Karen S. Lauger remains available as a free knitting pattern.
Ravelry currently provides a free downloadable version containing both written instructions and charts. The original 2010 version also remains available free through Knitty.
Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's complete copyrighted instructions or charts. This page provides an independent project guide and directs knitters to the legitimate original sources.
If you prefer written instructions plus charts, use the free Ravelry version:
Get the Free Lamina Pattern on Ravelry →
You can also use the original free Knitty publication:
View the Original Free Pattern on Knitty →
If you enjoy Lamina, explore more lace scarves and free scarf patterns from the Amazing Knitting archive.
Explore Free Scarf Knitting Patterns →
You can also browse lace scarf patterns, leaf knitting patterns, and free lace knitting patterns.
Decide whether you prefer the chart-based original Knitty version or the updated Ravelry version with both written and charted instructions.
If this is your first provisional cast-on project, practice that technique first. Make a swatch with your chosen yarn, and remember that blocking plays an important role in the final appearance of the leaf lace and wavy ends.
Pattern credit: Lamina was designed by Karen S. Lauger and originally published in Knitty, First Fall 2010. The existing project photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to Foxberryjam. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted charts or complete knitting instructions.
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| Photo above © BohoBerry |
Morning Surf Scarf by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer is a wonderfully adaptable knitted scarf featuring soft, undulating openwork inspired by waves moving across the sea.
The design uses dropped yarnovers to create long, flowing stitches and an airy lace-like fabric. It is particularly attractive in variegated and handspun yarns, but one of the great advantages of Morning Surf is its flexibility: the pattern can be adapted to many different yarn weights and scarf widths.
✓ Free Pattern Availability
Good news: Morning Surf Scarf is still available as a free knitting pattern. The pattern is associated with Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer and HeartStrings FiberArts and has also been published by Spin-Off / Interweave.
Pattern: Morning Surf Scarf
Designer: Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer
Original Publication: January 1998
Craft: Knitting
Category: Scarf
Yarn Weight: Adaptable to different yarn weights
Gauge: Flexible — choose a needle that produces good drape
Width: Adjustable in 10-stitch increments
Notable Technique: Dropped yarnovers
Construction: Worked flat
Current Availability: Free pattern
Morning Surf is a scarf where the yarn can become just as important as the stitch pattern.
Instead of dense cables or complicated colourwork, the design creates long open stitches that move gently across the fabric. The result has a wave-like appearance that works especially well with yarns containing several colours or subtle changes in texture.
This makes Morning Surf an interesting choice for a special skein of hand-dyed or handspun yarn that you want to showcase rather than hide inside a very complicated stitch pattern.
The scarf has an especially fitting origin.
Designer Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer was inspired by a morning walk along the beach while attending a spinning event in Florida. The colours and movement of the water influenced both her choice of fibre and the undulating stitch sequence that eventually became Morning Surf.
The original scarf was created to showcase handspun yarn whose variations in colour and texture became part of the character of the finished piece.
One of the most useful characteristics of Morning Surf is that it was not designed around one rigid yarn specification.
The pattern can be adapted to a wide range of yarn sizes. Rather than insisting on one yarn weight and one needle size, the designer provides guidance for selecting needles that create a fabric with attractive drape without becoming excessively loose.
This makes Morning Surf particularly useful for:
The scarf width is also easy to customize.
The cast-on can be increased or decreased in increments of 10 stitches, allowing you to make a narrower scarf or a broader wrap-like version.
Remember that increasing the width also increases yarn consumption, so allow extra yardage if you plan to make a substantially wider or longer scarf.
Morning Surf gets much of its distinctive appearance from dropped yarnovers.
Yarnovers create additional loops while knitting. In this design, selected loops are later released in a controlled way, allowing the surrounding stitches to lengthen and form the characteristic open, wave-like sections.
Although the finished fabric looks unusual, the underlying concept is approachable once you understand what is supposed to happen to the extra loops.
This is one of those techniques where a small practice swatch can make the full project much easier to understand.
Highly variegated yarn can sometimes hide elaborate textured stitches. Morning Surf takes almost the opposite approach.
The elongated stitches create enough visual space for changing colours to remain visible, while the repeating waves add movement without competing heavily with the yarn.
For this reason, the pattern can be particularly effective when you have a colourful skein that looks beautiful by itself but seems difficult to match with a conventional stitch pattern.
Because Morning Surf is designed for different yarn weights, there is no single needle size that every knitter must use.
The goal is to choose a needle that produces a draping fabric without becoming sloppy.
Make a small swatch first. If the fabric feels stiff, try a larger needle. If the elongated stitches look excessively loose or unstable, try a smaller needle.
The designer specifically recommends straight needles for this project.
Circular needles can technically be used for flat knitting, but the multiple yarnovers used in Morning Surf may be less convenient to slide from the flexible cable back onto the needle tip.
If you normally prefer circular needles, this is worth considering before beginning the project.
Useful skills for Morning Surf include:
Use Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer's original pattern for the exact stitch sequence and row-by-row instructions.
Morning Surf has a particularly strong connection with handspinning. The original scarf was designed specifically to showcase the character of handspun fibre.
Handspun yarn does not always have the absolute uniformity of commercially produced yarn, but in a design like this those variations can become part of the visual effect rather than something that needs to be hidden.
The pattern later appeared in Spin-Off, making that relationship with spinning even more appropriate.
Blocking helps the elongated stitches settle into position and allows the wave-like structure to become more visible.
Follow the washing instructions appropriate for your chosen fibre, especially when working with handspun or unusual blends.
Shape the damp scarf gently and allow it to dry completely before removing it from the blocking surface.
Yes. Morning Surf Scarf by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer is still listed as a free knitting pattern.
The pattern has a long history, having first appeared in the late 1990s and later being published in Spin-Off.
Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted row-by-row instructions. Instead, we provide project information and direct knitters to the legitimate pattern listing.
Ravelry currently lists Morning Surf Scarf as a free pattern and provides the pattern information and source details.
Get the Free Morning Surf Scarf Pattern →
If you enjoy adaptable scarf projects, continue exploring the Amazing Knitting archive for more free patterns and stitch ideas.
Explore Free Scarf Knitting Patterns →
You can also browse lace scarf patterns, handspun knitting projects, and projects for variegated yarn.
Choose the yarn you would like to showcase and make a small swatch before deciding on your final needle size and scarf width.
Pay particular attention to the dropped-yarnover technique. Once you understand how the elongated stitches are created, the repeating pattern becomes much easier to recognize as you knit.
Pattern credit: Morning Surf Scarf was designed by Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer of HeartStrings FiberArts. The existing photograph on this Amazing Knitting page is credited to BohoBerry. Amazing Knitting does not reproduce the designer's copyrighted row-by-row knitting instructions.