How to Knit & Purl a Scarf
When first learning to knit, start out with a simple project, such as a scarf. You can knit a scarf with alternating knits and purls, within each row, forming the ribbing stitch. You can also alternate rows with knitting and purling, creating the stockinette stitch. Because scarves can easily fit people of various sizes, there's less concern for exact dimensions, as when knitting a sweater or other clothing item. Besides being quick and easy to knit, scarves are ideal fashion accessories and make excellent gifts.
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Things You'll Need
- 4-ply yarn (medium weight)
- Straight knitting needles, size 8 (5 mm)
- Yarn needle
Instructions
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Learn to knit, mastering the knit and purl stitches (see Resources) until you feel confident. These are the two stitches of knitting from which scores of different patterns can be derived. While the knit stitch is made up of two legs forming a small "v", the purl stitch produces horizontal bumps.
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Decide on width. Usually, scarves are anywhere from eight to 12 inches wide and can be as long as you want them to be. The gauge for the stockinette stitch, knitted on four-ply yarn with size 8 (5 mm) needles for a four-inch by four-inch swatch is equal to 17 stitches. Therefore, an eight-inch wide scarf takes 34 stitches, the number needed to cast for the first row. Later, you may need to make a slight adjustment on the number of stitches to cast, depending on the multiples of stitches required for the pattern you choose.
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Create a pattern. Knitting is a simple craft because there are only two stitches: the knit and purl stitches. It's combining these stitches, either within a row or in alternating rows that gives the scarf personality.
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Knit in the stockinette stitch. This stitch is smooth on one side, made by doing the knit stitch ("v's") for one row, alternating with the purl stitch on the even-numbered rows. It can also be reversed, starting with the purl stitches for the first row and knit stitches for even-numbered rows. This is a good pattern to use if you want to later decorate the knitting by making crosses, also known as duplicate stitches, over the "v's" on the stockinette side.
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If you want a scarf that's the same on both sides, choose the garter stitch. Done with only the knit stitch, the garter stitch produces knitting that looks bumpy.
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Create ribbing by knitting a stitch, and then purling a stitch to the end of each row. You can make wider ribbing by knitting 2 (or more) stitches, followed by 2 (or more) purl stitches. Broken ribbing patterns are formed by working the orderly ribbing patterns for several rows and then reversing the knit and purl stitches for several rows. An example of this is the seed stitch which has one row of knit 1, purl 1, followed by a row of knit and purl stitches that are reversed for a row. This alternating pattern of purl bumps and knit stitch"v's", both across and vertically, resembles a seed or pebble
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Continue knitting, with whatever pattern you choose, until the scarf is the desired length. Cast off stitches and weave in ends with a yarn needle.
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Tips & Warnings
You can work in rows or lengthwise. Sew sequins to decorate. Add fringe to the top and bottom.
Buy enough yarn so you won't run out and run the risk on the exact color and brand not being available.
Resources
- Photo Credit Elena Solodovnikova, Stockxpert
