Honeycomb Scarf by Rachel Illsley

Honeycomb Scarf

Knitting
March 2026
DK (11 wpi) ?
24 stitches and 32 rows = 4 inches
in Hive Stitch
US 8 - 5.0 mm
221 - 1102 yards (202 - 1008 m)
S (M, L) - but highly customisable
English
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The Honeycomb Scarf is a highly versatile and satisfying knitted accessory, which can be worked as a triangular or tapered scarf. It features a beautifully three-dimensional and reversible stitch pattern called “The Hive”, a surprisingly simple process which creates an intricate yet wonderfully squishy fabric. As the scarf is worked from one tip to the other, it’s easy to adjust the size of the scarf to suit the amount of yarn you have to work with.

CONSTRUCTION
The Honeycomb Scarf is worked from tip to tip, with increases shaping the first half of the scarf and decreases shaping the second half. Throughout, the Hive Stitch texture pattern is used, edged with an I-Cord. To create a triangular scarf, progress to the decrease section immediately after finishing the increase section; for a tapered scarf, the piece is worked straight between finishing the increase sections and starting the decrease sections.

SIZING GUIDE
The triangular scarf is graded into 3 sizes S (M, L) and the tapered scarf is graded into 2 sizes S (M), but the construction is such that the scarf size is highly customisable.

Example Sizing using DK weight yarn:

Triangular Scarf:
29 (49, 69)“ / 72.5 (122.5, 172.5) cm width (tip-to-tip)
11 (17.5, 24.25)” / 27 (44, 60.5) cm depth

Tapered Scarf:
39 (61)“ / 97.5 (152.5) cm width
11 (17.5)” / 27 (44) cm depth

A “one-skein wonder” can also be worked from this pattern – a narrow version of the tapered scarf (~4-5” depth) – with sizing dependent on the weight of yarn used.

SAMPLES
The maroon sample has been worked as a triangular scarf in size L with DK weight yarn; the light brown sample has been worked as a “one-skein wonder” with Aran-weight yarn.

GAUGE
The scarf can be worked at a range of gauges and yarn weights; suggested gauge for DK weight yarn is given below:

Using 5 mm / US size 8 needles, or needle size required to meet gauge, 24 stitches over 32 rows in Hive Stitch, wet blocked, creates a 4x4” / 10x10 cm square.

YARN
The maroon sample has been worked using The Little Grey Girl UK’s Silky Yak DK base (60% Superwash Merino / 20% Yak / 20% Silk; 225 m / 246 yds per 100 g) in colourway Baalbec.

The light brown sample has been worked using 100 g of handspun Baby Alpaca yarn from my Aunt’s farm in Cornwall; approximately Aran weight yarn, yardage unknown.

YARDAGE (includes ~10% excess)
The scarf can be worked with a range of yarn weights; yardages for a DK weight scarf are given below as an example:

Triangular Scarf:
202 (528, 1008) metres
220 (578, 1103) yards
90 (235, 448) grams

Tapered Scarf:
267 (669) metres
292 (732) yards
119 (297) grams

TOOLS & NOTIONS
5 mm / US size 8 needles (for DK weight yarn) – or needle size appropriate to chosen yarn weight
5 mm / H-8 crochet hook
scrap yarn
tapestry needle to weave in ends

SKILLS REQUIRED
-provisional cast on with a crochet chain
-picking up stitches
-working Hive Stitch pattern
-working m1R increases
-working K2tog decreases
-grafting I-Cord ends together using kitchener stitch