Harlequins – Mardi Gras Knitting Pattern
Quick Summary
- Colorwork chart and written pattern that can be incorporated into any project.
- Designed to showcase 3 colors, but can also be used with only 2 colors or many more than.
- Detailed instructions for 3 scarf projects to get you started:
- Child’s Scarf with Tassels – Worsted Weight Yarn
- Circular Scarf – DK Weight Yarn
- Oversized Adult Scarf – Sport Weight Yarn
- Digital pdf knitting pattern currently available on:
Harlequins is a festive colorwork pattern to celebrate the wild combination of purple, green, and yellow (gold) that comes alive every carnival season here in New Orleans. I found that combination of colors very hard to work with when I first moved here, but now I love how they play together in this diamond motif! If you’re curious about the significance of these colors, I mention the history a little bit here.
Harlequins is the diamond pattern chart, which can be added into any other project you’re working on – be it a sweater, hat brim (before the crown decreases), or cowl. Personally I have visions of table runners, throw pillows, and neck gaiters parading in my head. It can easily be knit as a long tube to create a scarf – and I have provided step-by-step instructions in the pattern for 3 different scarf projects to get you started:
Project 1: Worsted Weight Yarn – Child’s Scarf with Tassels
Two sizes are given for the children’s scarf: small (2-4 year old) and large (5 year old+). The sample shown has 2.5″ (6.4 cm) tassels made of metallic novelty yarn.
Needle size: US08 (5.0mm)
Sizes:
Small: 37” x 3.25” (94 cm x 8 cm)
Large: 47” x 4” (120 cm x 10 cm)
Yarn required:
Small: 225 yds – 75 yds (69m) of each color
Large: 330 yds – 110 yds (100m) of each color
Notions: tapestry needle, tassel maker (optional)
Project 2: DK Weight Yarn – Circular Scarf for Adults
Two widths are given for this scarf, narrow and wide:
Needle size: US06 (4.0mm)
Sizes:
Narrow: 37” x 5.25” (94 cm x 13 cm)
Wide: 37” x 7.25” ( 94 cm x 18 cm)
Yarn required:
Narrow: 420 yds – 280 yds (256m) of MC, 70 yds (64m) of each CC
Wide: 504 yds – 340 yds (310m) of MC, 82 yds (75m) of each CC
Notions: tapestry needle, extra set of needles for grafting
Project 3: Sport Weight Yarn – Oversized Scarf for Adults
This sample shows the possibilities beyond Mardi Gras colors. The oversized adult scarf is a big project, but it is one of my favorite pieces in my closet.
Needle size: US 5 (3.75mm)
Size: 72” x 6.5” (183 cm x 17 cm)
Yarn required: 1035 yds (948m) total
600 yds (550m) of dominant color
290 yds (265m) of secondary color
145 yds (133m) of contrasting color
Notions: tapestry needle
I hope you enjoy this special Mardi Gras knitting pattern and experiment with all the fun 3, 4, or 5+ color combinations you can think of! Laissez les bons temps rouler! (As we say here in Louisiana – “Let the good times roll!”)
You can find this pattern available for download on:
