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.

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!

Disclosure:   This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase from one of these links I will get a commission.

Hi, there, I'm Janice, the voice behind this website and avid knitter and crochet enthusiast. I want to share my passion with you and help you learn how to knit or crochet, smarter.