Gawarny
As I hike deeper into the cirque, a mineral world unfolds before my eyes. With every step, towering cliffs grow higher, revealing silver waterfalls dancing down their faces.
Inspiring awe and wonder, the Cirque de Gavarnie is a breathtaking amphitheater carved by Nature’s hand. The elements reign supreme, majestic, and as wild as wild can be.
The Gawarny scarf / stole is inspired by the Cirque de Gavarnie, nestled in the heart of the Pyrenees mountain range in France. Gawarny sports a sequence of patterns growing in a crescendo from the center out. Offering a welcome variation with elongated cables, long floats, and lacy patterns, the Golden Eagle, Pyrenean chamois, waterfalls, rock walls, and high peaks all come back as features of the scarf / stole. Join us on this wild exploration!
The name of the Gawarny scarf / stole is a word play on Cirque de Gavarnie, Pyrenees and wilderness. The Cirque de Gavarnie is a spectacular glacial amphitheater in the heart of the Pyrenees National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The stitch patterns of the Gawarny scarf / stole are named after features of the Cirque, and its wildlife, such as Isard and Aigle Royal, French for Pyrenean Chamois and Golden Eagle, respectively.
For best effect, use a smooth, round yarn with reasonable stitch definition. Yarn weights ranging from Fingering to DK would be suitable. As for colorways, I would recommend solid, semi-solid, or single skein gradient yarns.
Do you like the Gawarny scarf / stole? You might like those patterns too: The Barley Bouquet cowl, and the Paeony cowl. For endless fun with visible floats! Check them out!
Yarn
Lana Grossa Cool Wool Vintage (Sport; 100% Merino; 160 meters / 175 yards per 50 grams); [4,6] balls. The scarf (sample, small size) uses 171 grams in color 7363 Camel. The stole (large size) uses 252 grams.
Needles
3 mm (US size 2.5) 100 cm / 40 inches circular needle or size to obtain gauge.
Gauge
25 stitches and 38 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch, unblocked.
20.5 stitches and 30.5 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stockinette Stitch, blocked.
20.5 stitches and 30 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stitch Pattern B – Isard, blocked.
20.5 stitches and 29.5 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stitch Pattern C – Aigle Royal, blocked.
20.5 stitches and 29 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stitch Pattern D – Chaos of Rocks, blocked.
20.5 stitches and 24.5 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stitch Pattern E – Great Waterfall, blocked.
20.5 stitches and 27.5 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stitch Pattern F – Cirque de Gavarnie, blocked.
20.5 stitches and 30 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stitch Pattern G – Rock Walls, blocked.
20.5 stitches and 30.5 rows = 10 cm / 4 inches in Stitch Pattern H – Distant Peaks, blocked.
Note: obtaining the gauge given is not crucial but will affect the finished size and the yardage needed.
Notions
Removable stitch markers (optional): 2 in color A (edge marker), [2,4] in color B (repeat marker). Waste yarn (or spare circular needle cable). Shorter cable (60 cm / 24 inches) for the working needle. Cable needle. Tapestry needle. Blocking pins. Blocking wires (optional).
Sizes
Small (scarf), large (stole); easily customizable.
Final measurements
Small size (scarf): Width (w): 22.5 cm / 8.75 inches, length (l): 258 cm / 101.5 inches. See schematic.
Large size (stole): Width (w): 42 cm / 16.5 inches, length (l): 191.5 cm / 75.5 inches. See schematic.
Skill level
Basic stitches, increases, single and multiple decreases, elongated stitches, slip stitches, cable stitches. Catching strands. Managing floats. Most stitch patterns requiring some attention. Easy patterning on some wrong side rows. Cable and lace patterning on odd rows only. Judy’s Magic CO. Elastic BO.
Video tutorials are provided for the stitches and techniques used.
Pattern notes
This pattern is worked flat from the center of the scarf / stole, starting with a provisional CO. The stitch count remains constant throughout the whole pattern. Suggestions are given to customize the pattern.
Charts and written instructions are provided, as well as clear video tutorials for the stitches and techniques used.
Pattern support
For questions about this pattern, please PM me on Ravelry or send me an email. Contact details are provided.
Thank you note
I’d like to send a big thank you to my truly awesome test knitters on Ravelry: kallyknits. Thank you so much for your time and dedication, for helping me make this pattern even better and for showing how the pattern would look like with different yarns!
Want to get a free cowl? Read on!
We all love knitting, right?! I certainly do! I'd like to gift you a cowl and doing so spread the love for knitting even more :-) This gift is available to everyone.
Curious about which cowl that is? Head over to the Skeinwalker freebie page to find out! Upon registering and confirming your email address, you will receive the link to download the pattern PDF, and you will get a free subscription to The Explorers Weekly newsletter, with tips, inspiration, updates on new pattern releases along with exclusive coupon codes for discounts that I don't share anywhere else.