How to Make a Head Scarf
A head scarf is one of the easiest projects to make. It is perfect for beginners. You can let your imagination run wild and combine basic stitches to make any pattern you want without having to worry about increasing, decreasing or following a chart.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Knitting needles size 8 or 9
- Crochet hook size G
- Knitting worsted weight yarn, about 14 oz.
- Plastic darning needle
Instructions
-
-
1
Choose to knit or crochet. Both methods work well and make a head scarf using the basic stitches. Most head scarves are about 7 inches wide. In both methods, you should make a sample swatch and measure how many stitches you have in 1 inch. If you have 5 stitches in an inch, you need 35 stitches to make a scarf 7 inches wide. There are gauges, but the results will differ from person to person, depending on how tight or loose your stitches are.
-
2
Decide on a pattern. For crochet, the double crochet stitch will work faster and produce a nice look. I like to do two rows of double and one row of single for a different look. For knitting, the stockinet stitch--one row knit, one row purl, is traditional. You can use this combination to make a basket weave pattern. The number of stitches in each section depends on how many stitches are in a row. For instance if you have 35, it is divisible by 5 so you would have 7 sections of 5 stitches each. If you have 42 stitches, it is divisible by 6, so you would have 6 sections of 7 stitches each. Knit across the first section, then purl the second, knit the third and so on to the end of the row for the same number of rows as you have stitches in each section.
-
-
3
When the scarf is as long as you want, knit off in pattern. When crocheting, just cut the yarn and secure the end. Crochet does not have to be blocked, but knitting does. Make sure you weave in any loose ends where you had to attach a new skein and the end yarn as well.
-
4
Block the knitted scarf by pinning it to a padded ironing board wrong side out, making sure the width is even. Most new yarns say not to iron, so you really just need to go over the edges with some steam. Hold a steam iron about an inch over the edges so that the iron isn't touching the scarf. The steam will do all the work and make the edges straight. You will have to do it in sections. Let the first one dry and then keep going until the whole length is done.
-
5
Make the scarf a hooded scarf. Fold the scarf in half, wrong side out. Starting at the top, sew the ends together and continue until it is long enough to reach from the top of your head to the bottom of your neck.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
I like to use bamboo knitting needles. They don't splinter and the surface is very smooth. Try different sizes of needles until the stitch looks the way you want.
