Minimalist Scarf 

This lightweight scarf is woven with Duet Cotton/Linen in plain weave with skip dent details. The soft hues and crisscrossed stripes throughout the cloth are reminiscent of paintings by abstract expressionist Agnes Martin. 

You can download an updated version of this pattern and purchase a kit here.

Designed by Mariah Gaar for GIST: Yarn & Fiber.

Need some help getting started? Check out Resources for Beginner and Intermediate Weavers. 

Materials 

Warp & Weft: 3 cones of Duet Cotton/Linen Weaving Yarn 

Project Notes

• Tools Required: 2-4 shaft table or floor loom, or rigid heddle loom*, 10 or 15 dent reed, shuttle & bobbins 
• EPI: 15 (10 dent reed threaded 1,2) 
• Width at Reed: 16" (slightly wider due to skip dent technique) 
• Warp Ends: 243
• Warp Length: 3 yards
• Draft: Plain weave 
• Technique: Skip dent
• Finished Dimensions: 15" W x 60" L with 5" fringe on each side
• Finishing Details: Hemstitch 
• Care Instructions: Hand wash warm with mild soap, hang to dry, press as needed
• Note: *If you are using a rigid heddle loom and do not have a 15 dent heddle, adjust the EPI to 12 or 12.5 depending on the size heddle that you have on hand--more details at the end of this pattern.

Weaving & Finishing 

• Color A = Dune
• Color B = Marble
• Color C = Storm

Warp Color Order: Wind a warp in the following sequence for a total of 243 warp ends. 

• Color A - 60 ends
• Color B - 54 ends 
• Color C - 15 ends
• Color B - 54 ends 
• Color A - 60 ends 

Skip Dent Technique: The subtle spaces in the warp come from a simple technique called "skip dent", where a dent or two is skipped throughout the reed as you are threading. Mariah uses this technique between each color transition throughout the warp. When you reach the last two threads of one color and the first 2 threads of the next color, complete the following sequence: 

15 dent reed: skip 1, thread 2, skip 1, thread 2, skip 1

10 dent reed: Follow the same sequence as above but do not forget to continue with your 1,2 threading in between the skipped dents

See photo for clarification. Repeat this step in between each warp stripe. 

Weft Color Order: Begin and end the scarf with hemstitch. 

Block 1

• Color A - 3.5"
• Color B - 3.5" 
• Color C - 1"
• Color B - 1"
• Color C - 1"
• Color B - 1"
• Color C - 1"
• Color B - 3.5" 
• Color C - 5" 

Block 2 - Repeat this block twice

• Color B - 2 picks
• Color C - 2 picks 
• Color B - 2 picks 
• Color C - 2 picks 
• Color B - 2 picks 
• Color C - 1" 

Block 3

• Color B - 2 picks 
• Color C - 2 picks
• Color B - 2 picks 
• Color C - 2 picks 
• Color B - 2 picks 
• Color C - 3.5" 
• Color A - 4 picks 
• Color C - 1 pick 
• Color A - 1 pick
• Color C - 1 pick 
• Color A - 1 pick 
• Color C - 1 pick*
• Color A - 4 picks 
• Mirror this sequence for the second half of the scarf starting with *

Rigid Heddle Adaptation

Here are some tips if you would like to weave this scarf on your rigid heddle loom. We have adjusted the pattern to fit a 12.5 dent heddle (12 will also work). If you have a 15 dent heddle you do not need to adjust the epi. 

For 12.5 epi, warp the following sequence for a total of 192 warp ends, centering for a weaving width of 17".

• Color A - 48 ends
• Color B - 42 ends
• Color C - 12 ends
• Color B - 42 ends
• Color A - 48 ends

The subtle spaces in the warp come from a simple technique called "skip dent", where a dent or two is skipped throughout the reed as you are threading. Mariah uses this technique between each color transition throughout the warp. When you reach the last two threads of one color and the first 2 threads of the next color, complete the following sequence maintaining your slot/hole threading sequence: 

• Skip 1 slot or hole (maintaining the sequence)
• Thread 2 (1 thread each in a slot or hole, maintaining the slot/hole sequence)
• Skip 1 slot or hole
• Thread 2 
• Skip 1 slot or hole

Repeat this step in between each warp stripe. When you are ready to weave, follow the weft color order listed above.

Variations 

• Create your own stripe pattern throughout the warp and weft 
• Experiment with the skip dent technique placement as you are threading the reed 

About Mariah Gaar