Semiquincentennial Scarf-free pattern!
April 17, 2026
I was thinking back to 1976, when crafters were busy stitching quilts, working needlepoint, and knotting magnificent macramé objets d’art in red, white, and blue—each piece a handmade celebration of patriotic spirit of 1776.
Fifty years later, as the USA marks its semiquincentennial (a word I absolutely had to look up), it felt only right to make a little something to honor such a big year.
Red, white, and blue stripes are a classic for a reason—timeless, cheerful, and adaptable. There are countless free striped scarf patterns out there, and I’m happy to add one more to the mix. This one is simple and free. Best of all, it’s easy to customize—try it in flag colors, team colors, or your favorite school palette.
Enjoy!
And since we’re on the subject of scarves, here are two I finished in 2025 but never made it onto Ravelry.
Also, a quick note about these photos: I realize I look like I’m about to hand you a brochure for a three-bedroom colonial and show you the breakfast nook. I promise, that’s a no—it’s just that I’ve reached that age where my “resting face” reads as deeply unimpressed with humanity. So, for everyone’s comfort, it’s all smiles from here on out.
The first scarflet is knit with one skein of Woolfolk Flette in red. The yarn is so scrumptious—“soft” doesn’t quite cover it. The pattern is Lokke, which comes in several size options, including a two-color version. I loved making it, and I love having that little pop of color to add when I need just a bit of warmth at my neck. The details are on my Ravelry project page.
The one below is the Sophie Scarf by PetiteKnit. I actually knit this one in 2024, and when I finished it, I was convinced I’d make a dozen more in every color. With over 50,000 projects on Ravelry, I suspect many of you have made one too. I used a single skein of The Road to China Light in Riverstone. The yarn is lovely—and the pattern is, too. The details are on my Ravelry project page.
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| An unknown David Austin. The fragrance is heaven! |
We had a few days of rain, and when it let up, the sun shone and made the entire garden glow. The weeds plucked up easily and shiny raindrops clung to every petal.
Whenever we get rain—especially when it’s unexpected—we celebrate. Here in California, water falling from the sky is something we never take for granted.
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| We’re a few weeks into the roses now. Deadheading makes for the prettiest wheelbarrow. |
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Last week I told you about the soup I made for my dinner group. Convincing the guys to eat nasturtium and chive flowers was… a bit of a hard sell. The nasturtiums have a peppery bite, the chive blossoms taste like onion (no surprise there), and the dill leaves—well, they taste like dill. The soup was a hit—we scraped the pot clean. The flowers earned a cautious “not bad,” which I’m choosing to take as very high praise. |
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| Wet blocking is important for this scarf! |
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