One Yarn for Three Scarves

Sometimes it’s hard to visualize how a yarn will work with a pattern, especially if it contains multiple colors. I used one yarn to make three scarves to see just how differently it would work up with different patterns and stitch counts.

Why Scarves?

It can be a challenge to see how striped, variegated, or gradient yarns will play out on fabric. I chose to knit three scarves because I expected to see quick results. I also thought the results would be fairly predictable and easy to adjust.

While this was a fun project and relatively quick to knit, it actually wasn’t as predictable or adjustable as I thought. Some of the results were unexpected!

The One Yarn

For this project, I chose Lion Brand Mandala Tweed Stripes in Shooting Star, which I received in the Santa Sack I purchased last month. I was happy to receive this in my bag and now that I’ve worked with it, I can also say that I enjoy using it! It’s soft, spongy, and warm.

The color changes in Mandala are subtle and slow. I guess it can be considered “striped” in two ways: the gradual color changes produce stripes and the marling of the yarn (the “tweed”) creates a mini stripe effect. The colorway is warm and rustic, easy to pair with most winter gear.

The yarn works up well, too. I didn’t have any issues with knots, breakage, or splitting. I worked all of the scarves on US #9/5.50mm needles, which is the recommended needle for the yarn, and found it was just about perfect to achieve the gauge noted on the label.

The Three Scarves

I chose three scarves that were each constructed differently to demonstrate how the yarn would work with each method. I’ve linked the patterns that are available on Ravelry. All are free!

Pattern 1: Heartwarming Scarf

This pattern is easy to memorize and makes a great mindless knit. The result is a spongy, springy fabric that looks like almost like a waffle.

The color changes in this yarn are very gradual, as reflected by the scarf. It seemed to only have a few colors. Still, I liked the look of the results. My first attempt turned out to be my favorite!

Pattern 2: Garter Stitch Scarf with Slipped Stitches

This scarf is worked in two colors. I improvised this scarf, so there’s no pattern. I made it by knitting two rows (down and back) in one color, then knitting the next two (including a few slipped stitches) in the other color. In the case of this scarf, both colors are from the same skein, just on opposite ends.

It didn’t work out as well as I’d hoped for this yarn because the colors throughout the entire skein are so similar. The changes would have popped better with a solid yarn in a highly contrasting color, like white or cream.

I consider this a win, even though I wish I’d seen more variation in color.

Pattern 3: Drop Stitch Scarf

Hoping to see more results in color changes, I opted to work this scarf horizontally. Instead of moving from end to end, I cast on 286 stitches and worked the length of the scarf back and forth.

This pattern is definitely a yarn-eater, but it still didn’t yield the results I was hoping to see. I ended up working from a second skein every 4 rows to encourage quicker changes in color. Even with this, I gave up early, ending up with a skinny scarf, because I just didn’t like the look of it.

I consider this a bust!

Honorable Mention: Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf

I gave up on this one pretty quickly, but still wanted to include the attempt. We learn from failures, too, right?

I ditched this knit because it was obvious after several sections that the color changes weren’t going to “work.” The changes were too gradual to work with the pattern. I was on the third triangle before the new color began to emerge.

If I’d have made it about 75 stitches wide, it probably would have worked better with the pattern, so if you’re a fan of Lenny Kravitz-style scarves, go for it!

Overall Results

This yarn changes so gradually that it really isn’t a great fit for scarves, unless you are making one that is very long or very wide. It would work better in larger projects and is probably best suited to blankets due to the softness and warmth. I think the color changes would best be showcased on a baby blanket, but larger sizes could work if it were knit in large panels or strips.

What would you knit with Lion Brand Mandala Tweed Stripes in Shooting Star?