I absolutely loved watching Netflix’s new mini-series The Queen’s Gambit. While I watched it, I worked up The Queen’s Gambit scarf knitting pattern. This is a pattern that writes itself, as you watch the show. Keep reading and I’ll explain how you can knit one too, either while watching The Queen’s Gambit or any other bingeable show you enjoy!

First of all, I wanted to say that I loved everything about The Queen’s Gambit. The cinematography kept the chess games interesting, the story was compelling, the acting was ah-mazing, and the 1960’s fashions were pure eye candy! It has been a while since I watched a drama that was so thoroughly satisfying. TW: There were some dark themes in the show that included suicide and drug use so if those are triggers, you may want to watch something else.

The awesome thing about The Queen’s Gambit Scarf Knitting Pattern is that it works with any show you want to binge watch. Every show will produce a slightly different scarf!

A few weeks ago during a live stream that you can watch here, my amazing subscribers and I chatted our way into an idea. The idea was to knit a scarf/cowl while binge watching a show. While you watch the show, any time something predictable happens, you change stitches. We had some brainstorming that included:

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Buffy fights something
• Schitt’s Creek – David or Moira does anything iconic
• The Office – Jim pranks Dwight
• Firefly – The crew misbehaves
• Scrubs – Every time JD has a daydream
• Grey’s Anatomy – The doctors use a nickname for a patient
• Any Crime Drama – You hear dramatic music
• Community – Abed references a T.V. show or movie
• Kitchen Nightmares – Gordon Ramsey shouts, “Raw!” or says “Bollocks”
• Parks and Recreation – Ron Swanson talks about meat
• Star Trek – Red alert
• Add your ideas by leaving a comment below!

You get the idea right? It’s like a drinking game without the alcohol, however we are going to use knitting (or crochet stitches) instead! Are you ready to knit your own [Insert Show Name Here] Scarf?

I chose The Queen’s Gambit for my bingeable show. As I predicted, there was a lot of chess playing (that’s not a spoiler right?), so that was the cue I used to switch my stitches. Seed stich became my base stitch because if you write a chart using seed stitch, it looks like a chess board. It felt right.

This is the The Queen’s Gambit Scarf I knit while watching the show.

The Queen’s Gambit Scarf Knitting Pattern

Yarn: Waterford Big! from Loops & Threads (243 yds/8.8oz) Teal, or any other bulky sized yarn.

Knitting Needles: US 15 (10mm) or size suitable for your yarn

Gauge: Not essential for this project

Materials: Darning needle

Pattern

CO 31 sts using long tail or your favorite method

K 5 rows (garter stitch)

Begin Seed Stitch: *K1, P1 repeat to end of row.

Repeat seed stitch pattern for all rows. Begin and end with K every time.

Chess Game/Event Pattern:

Stop the seed stitch pattern after a P.

*K2tog, YO repeat to last stitch, K1 turn.

Continue in this way until the chess game (or other event) is ended.

Return to seed stitch until the next chess game (event).

When the show is over, or you are almost out of yarn, K across 5 rows (garter) and BO. Weave in the ends, block if desired, and enjoy!

Abbreviations:

• K – knit
• P – purl
• CO – cast on
• K2tog – knit two stitches together
• YO – yarn over
• BO – bind off

Alternative Patterns

If you don’t want to keep track of your seed stitch, you could do a garter stitch (K every row).

You can increase or decrease the width of your scarf to adjust for your yarn or needle gauge by casting on more or fewer stitches. If you are working the seed stitch version, make sure you have an odd number of stitches.

You could do this same project with crochet or other crafts, just choose similar stitches/techniques to give you an equivalent effect.

This could easily become a cowl by seaming the ends together. Don’t worry if you knit slowly, or your show is over before you finish a long scarf. Just make it into a cowl!

Use different colors instead of different stitches for a striped scarf.

Any reversible stitch would work for this pattern. Get creative!

A Few Tips

Choose something in the show that you know will happen frequently. It’s less fun when you have to wait several episodes to change stitches.

Don’t rip back, if you messed up, just keep knitting. I missed the start of a chess game because I was so enthralled with the show I wasn’t paying attention and just kept right on with my seed stitch. When I realized I missed the start of the chess game, I didn’t rip back, I simply switched stitches when I noticed it, and kept on knitting.

You could use handspun yarn for this project too. I think this would make a great stash busting project!

Don’t worry about running out of yarn or having some left over. You can watch another show to finish or just bind off wherever you end up.

This project is meant to be relaxing and fun so don’t get too concerned about the pattern. Just make it work for you and keep it fun!