The Alpine Ember Hooded Scarf Free Pattern – A Knitted Cable and Brioche Fusion
The Alpine Ember Hooded Scarf Free Pattern – A Knitted Cable and Brioche Fusion
Wrap yourself in the warmth of a hand-knitted hooded scarf that combines the timeless elegance of cables with the plush, squishy texture of brioche stitch. This cozy accessory features a dramatic, oversized hood and a generously long scarf body, perfect for braving chilly winds in style. The rich, heathered burgundy color evokes the warmth of a glowing ember, making this piece as beautiful as it is functional. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a new challenge or a confident beginner ready to expand your skills, this pattern offers a rewarding project that will become a staple in your winter wardrobe.
Materials Needed
Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth knitting experience:
- Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (approx. 600-700 yards) in a rich, heathered burgundy or deep rust color. The sample uses a warm, inviting burgundy that captures the "ember" aesthetic perfectly.
- Needles: US 8 (5.0 mm) 32-inch circular knitting needle for the scarf body and hood, plus a cable needle. The circular needle is essential for accommodating the large number of stitches, especially for the hood.
- Gauge: 18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch (after blocking). Achieving the correct gauge is crucial for the final dimensions of your scarf, so take the time to knit a swatch first.
- Notions: Stitch markers (optional but helpful), tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends, scissors.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Understanding the Pattern Structure
This pattern is worked in two main pieces: the scarf body and the hood, which are then seamed together. The scarf body features a central cable panel flanked by brioche ribbing, while the hood is worked in a simple brioche stitch with a cable accent at the center back. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the abbreviations below before casting on.
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- K: knit
- P: purl
- K2tog: knit two together (decrease)
- P2tog: purl two together (decrease)
- C4F: slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold to front, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle
- C4B: slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold to back, knit 2, knit 2 from cable needle
- BRK: brioche knit (knit the stitch together with its yarnover)
- BRP: brioche purl (purl the stitch together with its yarnover)
- YO: yarn over
- sl1yo: slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn over (bring yarn to front, slip stitch purlwise, then bring yarn over the needle to the back)
Scarf Body (Make 1)
The scarf body is worked flat on the circular needle. CO 42 stitches.
Foundation Rows:
Row 1 (RS): K2, *sl1yo, K1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, sl1yo, K2.
Row 2 (WS): K2, *BRP, sl1yo; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, BRP, K2.
Row 3 (RS): K2, *sl1yo, BRK; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, sl1yo, K2.
Row 4 (WS): K2, *BRP, sl1yo; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, BRP, K2.
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 for the brioche sections. However, to incorporate the cable panel, you will work the center 10 stitches as follows:
Cable Panel (over 10 stitches, worked on RS rows):
- Row 1 (RS): C4F, K2, C4B
- Row 2 (WS): P10
- Row 3 (RS): K10
- Row 4 (WS): P10
- Row 5 (RS): C4B, K2, C4F
- Row 6 (WS): P10
- Row 7 (RS): K10
- Row 8 (WS): P10
Repeat these 8 rows for the cable pattern.
Full Scarf Body Pattern:
Row 1 (RS): K2, work brioche pattern over next 15 stitches (as in Row 3 above), work Cable Panel Row 1 over next 10 stitches, work brioche pattern over next 15 stitches, K2.
Row 2 (WS): K2, work brioche pattern over next 15 stitches (as in Row 4 above), work Cable Panel Row 2 over next 10 stitches, work brioche pattern over next 15 stitches, K2.
Continue in this manner, working the brioche sections in the established pattern and the cable panel in its 8-row repeat, until the scarf measures approximately 60 inches (or desired length) from the cast-on edge. Bind off loosely in pattern.
Pro Tip: The garter stitch edges (K2 at the beginning and end of each row) create a neat, finished border that prevents curling. Keep these edge stitches consistent throughout the entire scarf body.
Hood (Make 1)
The hood is worked flat and then seamed at the top. CO 80 stitches.
Foundation Rows:
Row 1 (RS): K2, *sl1yo, K1; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, sl1yo, K2.
Row 2 (WS): K2, *BRP, sl1yo; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, BRP, K2.
Row 3 (RS): K2, *sl1yo, BRK; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, sl1yo, K2.
Row 4 (WS): K2, *BRP, sl1yo; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, BRP, K2.
Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until the hood measures 12 inches from the cast-on edge. Then, shape the top of the hood:
Decrease Section:
Row 1 (RS): K2, *sl1yo, BRK; repeat from * until 4 stitches remain, K2tog, K2. (79 stitches)
Row 2 (WS): K2, *BRP, sl1yo; repeat from * to last 3 stitches, P2tog, K2. (78 stitches)
Row 3 (RS): K2, *sl1yo, BRK; repeat from * until 4 stitches remain, K2tog, K2. (77 stitches)
Row 4 (WS): K2, *BRP, sl1yo; repeat from * to last 3 stitches, P2tog, K2. (76 stitches)
Continue decreasing in this manner (one stitch decrease on each side every row) until 40 stitches remain. Bind off loosely.
Pro Tip: The decreases create a rounded, domed shape for the top of the hood. If you prefer a more fitted hood, you can continue decreasing until only 30 stitches remain before binding off.
Finishing
Now it's time to bring your pieces together:
- Fold the hood in half with the right sides together, aligning the bound-off edges. Seam the top of the hood together using mattress stitch or a whip stitch. This creates the rounded crown of the hood.
- Turn the hood right side out. Attach the hood to one end of the scarf body by seaming the cast-on edge of the hood to the bound-off edge of the scarf, or alternatively, sew the hood along the edge of the scarf so it sits at the back of the neck. The latter method creates a more seamless, integrated look.
- Weave in all ends carefully, making sure to secure them within the brioche or cable stitches so they don't show on the right side.
- Block the finished piece gently to even out the stitches and enhance the cable and brioche textures. Wet blocking or steam blocking both work well for this project. Lay flat to dry.
Wearing and Styling Your Alpine Ember Scarf
Once your scarf is complete and blocked, you'll have a stunning, functional accessory. The oversized hood drapes beautifully over the shoulders, while the long scarf body can be wrapped multiple times or left to hang elegantly. The rich burgundy color pairs beautifully with neutrals like cream, gray, and denim, making it a versatile addition to any cold-weather wardrobe.
This pattern is a wonderful way to practice both brioche stitch and cabling in a single project. The combination of textures creates a deeply dimensional fabric that's as delightful to touch as it is to look at. Whether you're knitting this for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, the Alpine Ember Hooded Scarf is sure to be treasured for years to come.
Happy knitting! We'd love to see your finished Alpine Ember scarves—share your photos and tag us in your creations. If you have any questions along the way, don't hesitate to reach out in the comments below.
