Somewhere over the rainbow: DIY ombre lace scarf

Rainbows are for those of us who dare to dream of the world becoming a better place. For the dreamers, the artists, the renegades and the believers. Show your colours with pride by making your own rainbow scarf with this free knitting pattern.

Using a traditional Shetland lace horseshoe lace pattern, this scarf is easy enough for someone who is a beginning lace knitter. It has a simple garter stitch border to stop the edges rolling in on each other when you wear it. Make it long enough to wrap around your neck a couple of times and you will be set for winter!

Can't be bothered making your own? Check out my Etsy shop!

DIY OMBRE LACE SCARF / free pattern

Yarn: Kauni Yarn Effektgarn 8/2 Rainbow colourway (100% wool)
Needles: 4 mm (note: my guage is loose, so if you are a tight knitter you may need to go up a needle size).

Abbreviations:
K = knit
K2 tog = knit two stitches together
P = purl
psso = pass slip stitch over
sl 1 = slip one stitch knitwise
yfwd = bring yarn forward in front of needles

Instructions:
Cast on 37 stitches.
Begin pattern as follows.

Row 1: (wrong side): K3, P34, K3.
Row 2: (right side): K4, *yfwd, K3, sl 1, K2 tog, psso, K3, yfwd, k1*, repeat ** twice more, K3.
Row 3: Repeat Row 1.
Row 4: K3, P1, *K1, yfwd, K2, sl 1, K2 tog, psso, K2, yfwd, K1, P1*, repeat ** twice more, K3.
Row 5: K4, *P9, K1*, repeat ** twice more, K3.
Row 6: K3, P1, *K2, yfwd, K1, sl 1, K2 tog, psso, K1, yfwd, K2, P1*, repeat ** twice more, K3.
Row 7: Repeat Row 5.
Row 8: K3, P1, *K3, yfwd, sl 1, K2 tog, psso, yfwd, K3, P1*, repeat ** twice more, K3.

Repeat these 8 rows until your scarf is around 80 inches long(or your desired length). Cast off with a bind off method suitable for lace.

At this stage the lace will look mishapen and bunched up, but fear not! You just need to soak your scarf overnight in a bucket of lukewarm water. After it has soaked for a few hours, gently squeeze the excess water out and lay the scarf out on a flat surface in the shade. Gently stretch out your scarf so the that the lace pattern opens up and leave it to dry.

Lastly, weave in the ends once your scarf is dry and (voila!) you're done!

Please note: This pattern is free for you to use for personal use under my Creative Commons license. You can use, share and modify this pattern but the pattern itself can't be sold and attribution must be made.