How to Make Scarves From Yarn

Scarves are one of the most diverse pieces of apparel a person can own. Scarves are great for keeping warm when shoveling snow or casually throwing over a T-shirt while walking along a beach at night. Making one yourself makes it extra special. Affordable and versatile, yarn and scarf-making go hand and hand, and you have many options. If you are ready to make scarves out of yarn, here are a few ways to get it done right.

Things You'll Need

• Yarn
• Knitting needles
• Crochet needles
• Old sweaters
• Washing machine
• Table loom

Instructions

1. 

   Knit a scarf. Knitting patterns for scarves range in the thousands and can be super easy to complex, including designs such as cables or even skull patterns. The overall quality of the scarf depends on the quality of yarn and color combinations and can be knit with several strands of different yarns or one continuous color scheme.

2. 

   Crochet a scarf. Crocheted scarves are a beautiful alternative to knitting and offer the creator more options for patterns and looks. Crocheting allows you to make scarves that are densely thick or delicate and open. Crocheted scarves can be one continuous piece or can be pieced together such as in a granny square pattern.

3. 

   Felt a scarf. Whether you knit or crochet the yarn yourself first or choose to hot-wash some old wool or yarn sweaters, felting is the "in" style for everything from purses to sweaters to scarves. The felting procedure basically takes a knitted piece and purposely shrinks it, turning a loose weave into a dense fabric. Felted yarn can then be cut and sewn into any shape, including stylish scarves.

4. 

   Weave a scarf. Whether you have a four harness loom or a table-top loom, weaving yarn into a scarf is easy. Start with yarn tied onto your loom at a width of at least 7 inches, then weave away until it is the desired length. Weaving allows skilled users to create a pattern as well, so it's best to take a class to learn how to do it right.

5. 

   Braid a scarf. Cut yarn into strands that are 2 1/2 yards long. Create three "bundles" that are at least 20 strands thick. Tie the three bundles together at one end, leaving a 2-inch fringe, then braid the rest. Tie off with 2 inches at the other end. Interest can be achieved by combining colors within each bundle or among the bundles.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a stash of felted yarn by buying wool or yarn sweaters at thrift shops or yard sales and felting them all at the same time. After you have compiled a bunch of different colors, you have material to use to make into scarves, hats or bags. Find free patterns for knitting or crocheting online.

• If you are unfamiliar with knitting or crocheting, practice the basic skills first before you dive into a scarf pattern. An easy scarf can be a good introductory project for either craft.

Resources

• Michaels.com
• Aokcorral.com
• Free craft patterns