How many stitches knit a scarf?

If you are a beginner knitter, you should make a relatively small scarf, enough to keep you warm, but avoid making it so wide that it takes too long to knit. If you are knitting with worsted weight yarn and size 8 to 10 needles, you'll need to cast on 30 to 40 stitches for a nice-sized scarf.

What is the easiest stitch to knit a scarf?

Seed stitch is perfect for beginners because it's made up entirely of knits and purls. To make things extra flexible, I've designed this pattern to be totally customisable for whatever yarn and needles you have.

What is the best length for a knitted infinity scarf?

40 inches will leave you with a snugly fitting infinity scarf - 50 inches will be a bit more loose. You can awkwardly try it on while it's still on the hoop to see what works for you.

What is the easiest way to knit an infinity scarf?

Infinity Scarf in the Round If you know how to knit in the round, this scarf is very easy to make. You choose the pattern and stitch. Use a very long circular needle . If you use a small one, you'll only knit enough to make a cowl, which is a short infinity scarf but you won't be able to wrap it again and again.

What is the best knit stitch for a scarf?

Keeping it simple is best as a beginner, which is why our Basic Scarf is the perfect choice for those just starting out. It uses a common stitch pattern—called the stockinette stitch —which features alternate knit rows and purl rows to piece the final product together.

What is the best stitch for a scarf?

Best Stitches for Scarves The Suzette Stitch is a beautiful, warm stitch that is perfect for scarves. Just be sure to use a larger hook than the yarn wrapper calls for, or your gauge might be too tight.

What size knitting needles for a scarf?

How to Knit a Scarf in Garter Stitch for Beginners. For Bulky Weight yarns, you will want to use US 9 – 11 knitting needles . The gauge you will be aiming for is between 3 – 4 stitches for every inch. For Worsted Weight yarns, you will want to use slightly smaller knitting needles sized between US 6 – 9.

How many stitches for a DK scarf?

DK wool - any scraps you have 4mm needles - circular to fit so many stitches, but it is not knitted as a round. Cast on 280 stitches and work about 7" in garter stitch. You can make the scarf wider or narrower by adding or reducing the 7".

Can you knit an infinity scarf with straight needles?

Some infinity scarves are made in the round using circular needles, but I prefer to work them flat using straight knitting needles . Why? Because this gives me more room for error–or should I say, "adjustments"–to the tightness or looseness around the neck.

What is the quickest thing to knit?

A simple project, like a dishcloth, can take as little as two hours. Once you have the basic stitch down, a baby blanket takes a beginner 8-16 hours to knit.

What is moss stitch in knitting?

It is created by alternating knit and purl stitches in the same row, repeating that row, then knitting the opposite stitches in the next row and repeating that row . Cast on an even number of stitches (multiples of two) 1st Row: * k1, p1, repeat from * to end.

How long should fabric be for infinity scarf?

For a simple one-colour infinity scarf, cut a rectangle of fabric 140cm long and 60cm wide.

How long do you make an infinity scarf?

How long should an infinity scarf be? Around 60 inches is great for knit fabrics, especially if they are not bulky (like here), any width of fabric from 55" onwards will be fine.

11 Ways to Knit a Scarf - wikiHow (2024)

Categories
Hobbies and Crafts
Crafts
Needlework
Knitting and Crochet
Knitting
Knitting Clothes

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IN THIS ARTICLE

1Gather Your Materials

2Cast On

3Knit Your First Rows

4Cut Your Yarn

5Add a Second Color

6Knit Your Second Color

7Leave the Ends Loose

8Knit the New Yarn

9Add a Third Color

10Alternate Colors

11Finish Your Scarf

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Tips and Warnings

Things You'll Need

References

Article Summary

Co-authored byJen Webber

Last Updated: March 9, 2024Fact Checked

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Anyone can easily knit a scarf. There's no need to spend exorbitant amounts of money at the store! You can start off by knitting a scarf for beginners. This scarf pattern will use the most basic stitching pattern out there. All you need is two knitting needles and some yarn! If you're looking for a complementary project that's a little more difficult, think about knitting mittens. This article will teach you how to switch between different balls of yarn as you knit. Note that this method is not required to knit a scarf - you can keep the same color for the whole scarf and skip the steps about switching, if you like.

Gather Your Materials

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For first-time knitters, It's easier to use thick needles and bulky yarn because it'll make the knitting of the scarf much faster and easier.^[1]
- To achieve a multicolored look without switching yarns, try a variegated yarn that incorporates several different colors.^[2]
- Have 200 yards (182.9m) of yarn at your disposal.
- Bigger needles create a looser stitch; smaller needles, a tighter one. Choose the size according to your desired look.

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Cast On

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Cast on 10-40 stitches using your first color of yarn, depending on the size of your needles and desired width.
- If you are a beginner knitter, you should make a relatively small scarf, enough to keep you warm, but avoid making it so wide that it takes too long to knit.
- If you are knitting with worsted weight yarn and size 8 to 10 needles, you'll need to cast on 30 to 40 stitches for a nice-sized scarf.

Knit Your First Rows

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Knit for 12 rows with the first color. Remember that you do not have to knit another color if you do not want to, and you do not have to knit the other color immediately, either.
- You can knit to this point, then put it down, and return later or tomorrow to continue. This is what makes knitting so great. Never leave your knitting in the middle of a row, or it will pull funny.

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Cut Your Yarn

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See Also
How Long & Wide Should a Scarf Be?Fashion Trends Out of Style for Fall 2022 - Dressed for My Day
Cut the yarn with scissors after you complete the 12th row. Make sure to leave a 6-inch tail.^[3]
- If you choose not to have a second color, then skip this step and just continue knitting in the one color all the way to the end.
  - If you plan to make a single-colored scarf, check the dye lot listed on the yarn label. Make sure to get the same dye lot to avoid manufacturing variations in color. (If you are buying one ball of each color, you do not need to worry about the dye lot.)

Add a Second Color

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Add a second color of yarn to the first color. This will make your scarf look professional and coordinate with more outfits.
- Align the end of the tail of the first color with the beginning of the second color of yarn. Hold them together in your left hand, away from the thread of the new color that you'll be knitting.

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Knit Your Second Color

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Knit about 5 stitches and stop to pull on the ends.

Leave the Ends Loose

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Later, you'll weave them into the scarf with a tapestry needle or crochet hook.
- Never tie knots to change colors when you are knitting. You can usually see them, and it makes it difficult to correct mistakes.

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Knit the New Yarn

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Knit 12 rows with the new yarn. Follow the same process you did with the first color.

Add a Third Color

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Add your third color of yarn (if you choose). Follow the instructions given above for adding the second color yarn. Cut the yarn with your scissors and again leave a 6-inch tail.
- You can do this as many times as you like! You can also have smaller or larger sections if you prefer to have a dominant color.

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Alternate Colors

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Knit 12 rows again, as with the second color. Make sure to maintain focus and not go on autopilot--you could drop a stitch inadvertently.
- Keep alternating colors as instructed, doing 12 rows of each, until the scarf reaches a desired length. The scarf, when finished, will have a pattern of three different colors.

Finish Your Scarf

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Cast off your stitches. Wrap your scarf around your neck and admire your own handiwork. Feels good, doesn't it?
- Use a crochet hook to weave your loose string into your scarf, hiding the end.^[4] A knot can be seen and look a little haphazard.

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Expert Q&A

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Question
What do I do with the last length of yarn to finish the scarf?
Jen Webber
Knitting Specialist
Jen Webber is a Knitting Specialist and the Manager of The Quarter Stitch, a crafting store based in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 17 years of knitting and crafting experience, Jen helps educate customers and the public on best knitting practices for their DIY projects.
Jen Webber
Knitting Specialist
Expert Answer
The trick to stop here is to leave yourself a few inches of yarn to work with at the end, and pull it the loop in the last row and the stitch it to anchor it in place. Cut any excessive yarn off and you're done! Some people like to use a larger needle to bind it off and you can do that too so long as it isn't too tight.
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Question
How do I end the scarf after I finish it?
Community Answer
Read How to Cast Off for help with this.
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Does it matter what size the yarn and needles are?
Community Answer
Yes and no. Your needles need to match the weight of the yarn. Most yarns will come with a label that tells you what size needles you should use. In general, you need thin needles for thin yarn, and thick needles for thick yarn. You can use any thickness of yarn for the scarf, however. To make a standard scarf, use thinner yarn. To make a chunky/bulky scarf, use thicker yarn.
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Tips

Keep your yarn labels so that you can easily remember what type of yarn you used, and what the precise colorway was called, in case you need more.^[5] If you have a lot of saved yarn labels already, you may want to organize them into a binder with a swatch of the yarn--or at least staple a short length of yarn to the label so it's easy to tell what's what.
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If you are a relaxed knitter, your stitches will be very loose. If you are a tense knitter, your stitches will be very tight. It's best to find a tension somewhere in the middle of these while still being relaxed. Either way, maintain a constant level of tension.
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This project may take a long time to complete depending on how often you knit. You might want to complete this project over the course of several days. If a gift-giving occasion is coming up, such as a birthday or Christmas, get a head start.
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Warnings

If you are less than 13 years old, having a parent nearby to assist you will be beneficial.
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Depending on the yarn you choose, three balls may not be enough (or it may be too much!). Not all balls of yarn have the same yardage. Try to get about 200 yards (182.9m) total, and make sure it is bulky weight.
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Things You'll Need

Three balls of extra-bulky yarn (each in a different color or two to three balls in the same color)
One pair of knitting needles (any size)
Tapestry needle or crochet hook
Scissors

How toFinger KnitHow toChange Colors in Knitting

How toKnit a Sweater for BeginnersHow toKnit a BeanieHow toEnd Knitting a ScarfHow toKnit a Scarf on a LoomHow toKnit SocksHow to Knit a Baby Hat with YarnHow toKnit SleevesHow toKnit an Easy HatHow toStop the Edges from Curling when Knitting a ScarfHow toKnit a PonchoHow toKnit a Baby JumperHow toKnit an Infinity Scarf

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References

↑ Jen Webber. Knitting Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 August 2020.
↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/both-sides-the-couch/202201/i-spent-my-childhood-surrounded-cozy-and-colorful-yarns
↑ Jen Webber. Knitting Specialist. Expert Interview. 4 August 2020.
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aa59mMrgmCQ
↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPZSHSssWEQ

About This Article

Co-authored by:

Jen Webber

Knitting Specialist

This article was co-authored by Jen Webber. Jen Webber is a Knitting Specialist and the Manager of The Quarter Stitch, a crafting store based in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 17 years of knitting and crafting experience, Jen helps educate customers and the public on best knitting practices for their DIY projects. This article has been viewed 2,251,904 times.

59 votes - 92%

Co-authors: 110

Updated: March 9, 2024

Categories: Featured Articles | Knitting Clothes

Article SummaryX

To knit a scarf, start by casting on 40 stitches on your needles and knit for 12 rows. Then, cut your yarn with scissors and tie on a different colored yarn. Knit another 12 rows before switching colors again. Continue this pattern until the scarf is long enough to wrap around your neck a few times. When it’s reached your desired length, cast off your stitches and weave in the loose string with a crochet hook. If you want to learn how to add a second color onto your scarf, keep reading the article!

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In other languages

Español:tejer una bufanda

Português:Tricotar um Cachecol

Italiano:Lavorare una Sciarpa ai Ferri

Deutsch:Einen Schal stricken

Français:tricoter une écharpe

Русский:связать шарф

中文:织围巾

Nederlands:Een sjaal breien

Bahasa Indonesia:Merajut Selendang

العربية:حياكة وشاح

Tiếng Việt:Đan khăn

हिन्दी:एक स्कार्फ बुनें (Knit a Scarf)

한국어:뜨개질로 목도리 만드는 방법

日本語:マフラーを編む

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11 Ways to Knit a Scarf - wikiHow (2024)

Gather Your Materials

Cast On

Knit Your First Rows

Cut Your Yarn

Add a Second Color

Knit Your Second Color

Leave the Ends Loose

Knit the New Yarn

Add a Third Color

Alternate Colors

Finish Your Scarf

Expert Q&A

Tips

Warnings

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

FAQs

How many stitches knit a scarf? ›

What is moss stitch in knitting? ›