How to Knit a Scarf
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.
[Edit]Steps
[Edit]Preparation
- Gather your materials. 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]
- 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.
- To achieve a multicolored look without switching yarns, try a variegated yarn that incorporates several different colors.[2]
- Have of yarn at your disposal.
- Bigger needles create a looser stitch; smaller needles, a tighter one. Choose the size according to your desired look. For worsted weight yarn, size 8 to 10 needles are normally used.[3]
- Get comfortable. You may wind up knitting for hours, so make sure you're in a comfortable chair and sitting position.
- Make sure you're in a well-lit area and can move your arms and needles freely.
[Edit]Starting Your Scarf
- 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 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.
- Cut the yarn with scissors after you complete the 12th row. Make sure to leave a 6-inch tail.[4]
- 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.)
- 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.
- 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.
- Start knitting with the second color of yarn. Knit about 5 stitches and stop to pull on the ends.
- Leave the ends loose. 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.
- Knit 12 rows with the new yarn. Follow the same process you did with the first color.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.[5] A knot can be seen and look a little haphazard.
[Edit]Tips
- 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.
- 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.
- It's a good idea to keep your project, including pattern, yarn, needles, and other supplies, in a knitting bag. You may have a bag or purse around the house that suits fine, or you may want to buy a fancier one. If you take to knitting and accumulate many needles, you may wish to make a knitting needle roll up to keep your knitting supplies organized.
- Never throw away unused yarn. If you have not as yet opened a ball, you can usually return it. Ask when you purchase it. The remaining yarn can be used for another project.
- If you use only one color, there is no need to count rows. Simply try the scarf around your neck when it starts to look long enough and bind off when you are pleased with the length.
- 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.[6] 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.
- Read the related wikiHow articles on the bottom of this page for other knitting articles.
- This pattern does not have to be used.
- Knitting isn't as easy as it looks it is hard at first, but slowly but surely you'll get the hang of it.
- Watch lots of YouTube videos on knitting to get it perfect!
- It takes time to knit, so do it slowly. It will turn out way better than if you go fast.
- Get to know a pattern before you attempt to make it.
- For a different project, try crocheting a scarf.
[Edit]Warnings
- Knitting becomes addictive. There are so many things to knit that you may find yourself at the closest knitting shop more often than you should be!
- If you are less than 13 years old, having a parent nearby to assist you will be beneficial.
- 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 total, and make sure it is bulky weight.
[Edit]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
[Edit]Related wikiHows
[Edit]References
[Edit]Quick Summary
- ↑ [v161507_b01]. 4 August 2020.
- ↑ https://blog.nobleknits.com/blog/2015/10/22/how-to-knit-with-variegated-yarns
- ↑ https://www.mybluprint.com/article/the-beginners-guide-to-knitting-needle-sizes
- ↑ [v161507_b01]. 4 August 2020.
- ↑ http://cyberseams.com/article/104878/all_things_knitting/how_to_knit_weaving_in_loose_ends.html
- ↑ https://shop.mybluprint.com/knitting/article/deciphering-yarn-labels/
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