As you may know, Berroco is the U.S. distributor for select James C. Brett yarns. One of the new yarns that we’ve brought in this year is Northern Lights. Ever since I saw this fun and colorful yarn, flecked with little tweedy bits, I knew I wanted to knit this scarf pattern.
It’s super simple, and you just need 2 balls of James C. Brett Northern Lights. This DK weight yarn is 95% acrylic, 5% viscose, and is so incredibly soft, with amazing yardage—492 yards for 150 grams! 
I’m using the NL3 and NL1 shades of Northern Lights to knit this scarf, and it’s really easy—perfect for someone wanting to learn how to knit.
To begin, I cast on 45 stitches with NL1 onto size 7 needles. My scarf is working up about 6″ wide, so if you wanted a wider or narrower scarf, you can adjust the cast-on numbers—just make sure you use an odd number of stitches.
For the first row, I worked knit 1, purl 1 across to the last stitch, and ended with a knit 1. Then I turned my work, and slipped the first stitch purlwise, then worked knit 1, purl 1, to the end of the row.
On the next row, I added in the other color, NL3, slipped the first stitch purlwise, then worked purl 1, knit 1, to the end of the row. I repeated the second row from the first color, slipping the first stitch purlwise and working knit 1, purl 1 to the end of the row.
So the pattern looks like this:
Cast on 45 stitches with size 7 needles (gauge does not really matter for this project, you just want a nice fabric)
Set up row: K1, *p1, k1, rep from * to end of row.
Row 1: Sl 1 purlwise, *k1, p1, rep from * to end of row.
Row 2: With other color, sl 1 purlwise, *p1, k1, rep from * to end of row.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until scarf measures desired length, end with Row 2. You’ll be switching between the colors after working Row 1.
Bind off all stitches in pattern (we’ve got a blog post for that).
Because I’m using two very different shades of highly variegated colors, I’m getting this beautifully striping scarf that is fully reversible, thanks to the 1×1 rib pattern. And it’s knitting up quickly—I’ve got about 18″ of it worked so far, and I’m planning to make it at least 60″. I’m pretty sure I’ll have plenty of yarn leftover to knit a Ramona and Beezus hat and gift the scarf and hat set to my niece for Christmas. Since this yarn retails for about $15 a ball, that’s a whole knitted set for $30! Hard to beat that. 
Plus, each ball of Northern Lights comes with a shawl pattern printed inside the ball band—and the shawl only uses one ball of Northern Lights to knit.
If you want to make your own scarf and hat set, or Northern Lights shawl, you can find Northern Lights at retailers in the US near you with our Store Locator.
Northern Lights looks like such a fun yarn!
I’m really enjoying knitting with it! Between Northern Lights and my Remix Light project, I’m knitting all the tweeds! 😀
About the stripe scarf James C Brett…. Read the instructions. Your explanation has no set up row and the pattern does and they are different. One begins with K1 the K1 and the other starts with k1 , then repete which is correct and please Please explain when to change color,
Hi Lorraine,
The explanation does talk about the set-up row, it just doesn’t call it that.
“For the first row, I worked knit 1, purl 1 across to the last stitch, and ended with a knit 1.”
Set up row: K1, *p1, k1, rep from * to end of row.
“Then I turned my work, and slipped the first stitch purlwise, then worked knit 1, purl 1, to the end of the row.”
Row 1: Sl 1 purlwise, *k1, p1, rep from * to end of row.
“On the next row, I added in the other color, NL3, slipped the first stitch purlwise, then worked purl 1, knit 1, to the end of the row.”
Row 2: Sl 1 purlwise, *p1, k1, rep from * to end of row.
I added a note to the concise instructions to when to change colors, but basically you’re just working two rows in each color.
I m so excited, just got my northern lights yarn(oh so soft). Starting on the scarf today!! Cant wait to make it. Then im going to have to order some to make that cute shawl..
Yay!!
I absolutely love this scarf, so I just ordered the yarn. My only regret is that there doesn’t seem to be a retailer nearby so I wouldn’t have to wait to start! Thanks so much for the idea and pattern! I’m somewhat of a beginner, so wish me luck!
Thanks Madeleine! I hope you enjoy knitting this just as much as I do!
I am a new to knitting and when u sl1 purlwise and then k1 p1 or p1 k1.. The sl stitch ,,,,, in every row , what happens to them.
Hi Debbie, nothing happens to the slipped stitches—they just make a nice edge on a project! Try them out on a swatch and see.
I’m a novice knitter, so much so, I had to look up purlwise. That being said, this is how I understand the directions and hope you can tell me if it’s correct. There a set up row and then row 1 with the 1st color, row 2 is the 2nd color, row 3 is back to the 1st color, is this correct? Also, when working with one color, the other color is just “hanging out”? Is there a quick video you can sent to my email?
Thank you for your time.
Hi Michelle,
You’re almost there, but not quite. The set-up row and Row 1 are worked in one color, Row 2 is worked in the other color, and then, if you read the note after the instructions, you start switching the colors after working Row 1. So it’s Set-up row and Row 1 in Color A (whichever color you decide to start with), and then Row 2 and another Row 1 in Color B, then row 2 and another Row 1 in Color A, then row 2 and another Row 1 in Color B… does that make sense?
When you’re not using a color, yes, it’s just hanging out on the side. Because you’re slipping those first stitches, you’ll only have one row between color changes, and you can just pick up the new color when it’s time to switch. We have a video on carrying yarn up the side that might be helpful: https://youtu.be/ArMA2Th1MG8
This makes total sense, thank you so much for replying and sending a video link to show me exactly what you had explained. It’s for much appreciated and now I can’t wait to get started!
Hi!! I absolutely adore this pattern & am excited to try the yarn, but I’m really smitten with your wooden needles used in the picture. Do you possibly have a link to purchase those as I’m creating quite a collection of knitting needles myself. Thanks!
Hi Katlyn! To be completely honest, I just grabbed some needles that were near my desk and they don’t seem to have any branding on them. We think they’re rosewood straights from KnitPicks, maybe Knitter’s Pride, not 100% sure! Sorry we can’t be more helpful.
Is there a crochet pattern for a shawl using this yarn? I don’t knit 🙁
You’re in luck! A crochet designer has a free crocheted shawl pattern for Northern Lights, available on Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/julianas-journey
When you steal an old pattern, you should credit those who’ve done it before you. This “pattern” is common and has been done many times before.
Here’s just one from 2007. https://www.brooklyntweed.com/notebook/noro-scarf/
Hi Rob, you’re right, this has been done many times before, and is very common. I didn’t say that I invented this pattern and that no one has done it before me. Even Jared states in his Ravelry pattern page that he didn’t create the pattern, and that his “pattern” is just the notes he used to do his version of it, which is what this blog post is—my notes about my version of it with a different yarn, to help knitters think about other yarn choices that are available for this type of project.
Hello,
Thanks for your post, can I just check, when you slip stitch purlwise, is the yarn in front or at the back?
Thanks
Kim 🙂
Hi Kim! The yarn should be at the back when you’re slipping the stitch purlwise.
Confused! Pretty new to knitting. It looks like the stockinette stitch? I just tried this stitching on a scarf and it rolled terribly . I thought the k1 p1 was seed stitch and looks different than pictured . What am I missing!!
Hi Sue,
Nope, this is ribbing. When it pulls in and is relaxed, it will look like stockinette stitch. Make sure that you cast on an ODD number of stitches, and then work 1×1 ribbing.
I love the scarf. I’ve been knitting off & on for years but I don’t think l’m really understanding your term- inology re: sl l purlwise…….
Do you mean to slip the stitch from l needle to the empty needle. I can’t find a discription for “purlwise” in any of my knitting books which are very old. Thx.
Hi Susan,
Purlwise is just another way of saying “as if to purl.” We have a video that might help: https://berroco.com/learning-center/how-videos/how-slipping-stitches
How would I make this scarf a cowl……knitted on circular needles??
Hi Marie, you just knit a 1×1 rib cowl, changing colors every two rows.