How to Knit a Scarf

Simple technique brings glamorous results

Last Updated 01-28-2021

To learn how to knit a scarf is easy. It is one of the simplest projects in knitting. But at the same time a scarf is one of the most important and multi functional pieces of a modern women wardrobe.

How to Make the Crochet Wattle Stitch

This stitch is created by a two row repeat, starting with a foundation chain of multiples of 3.  The possibilities are endless.  Start with a number 4 yarn made of 100% cotton and create coasters, dish cloths, face cloths, or placemats.  

Turn your creation into a soft washable blanket with a 100% Acrylic number 4 yarn, or create a fast baby blanket using a soft chunky yarn.

A scarf indicates the way you treat yourself. If a scarf is just a strip of dull and inexpressive knitted fabric, every one will be aware that its owner doesn't love herself. A little bit of fantasy and this stylish addition will completely change your look.

There are a lot of different scarf designs, from the very simple to extremely intricate. But the majority are based on the simple rectangle.

Hence, to knit a scarf simply means "to knit a rectangle". Will you say that it is dull and inexpressive? You are absolutely right. But don't be in a hurry. A little bit of fantasy and you will have a stylish addition to your wardrobe.

We will begin to learn how to knit a scarf from its simplest possible variant. For example, let our scarf is a rectangular 8 inches (20 cm) wide and 50 inches (150 cm) long. Here are the steps you have to follow while knitting a scarf.

1. Choose dimensions for your knitted scarf. For our example a scarf is 8 in (20 cm) wide and 50 in (150 cm) long.
   
   
2. Choose a stitch pattern you would like to use for your scarf. Knit a gauge swatch for the stitch pattern chosen. For our example a swatch was 16 sts = 3 in (7.5 cm), and 30 rows = 4 in (10 cm).
   Hence, our gauge is: 16 sts / 3 in = 5.33 sts/in
   30 rows / 4 in = 7.5 rows/in

3. Calculate the number of stitches and rows you need, to knit a scarf. To begin a rectangular 8 in wide, you will need to cast on: 5.33 sts/in x 8 in = 42.6 (round to 43) stitches.
To make a scarf 50 inches long you have to knit: 7.5 rows/in x 50 in = 375 rows.

Important note: Knit your own gauge swatch! Don't use mine, please. Most likely your gauge  will be different than mine!

That's it! Now you have idea about how to knit a scarf.

It is time to get creative and to make something more stylish than just a rectangle. But even a simple rectangle with proper yarn, stitch pattern, and color can be a stylish one-of-a-kind masterpiece. 

Here is my warm and functional winter rectangle. A simple rectangle and nothing else. Patterns for this knitted scarf are available at the Knitted Scarf Pattern page. Good luck with your knitting!

Related Pages

Easy Scarf Pattern

Knitted Scarf Pattern

Crochet Scarf Pattern

Crochet Shawl