How to Make Chenille Scarves

Making a chenille scarf can be a simple project for beginning knitters.

Chenille refers to a soft, piled yarn that when knitted, can resemble velvet or velour. The yarn can be made from a variety of materials, including cotton, acrylic, rayon and silk. Chenille scarves are frequently soft and drapey, and can feel wonderful against the skin. Knitting with chenille yarn can be quite different from knitting with other yarns, due to the fact that it has short piles that can stick to one another. These scarves can be quick projects, appropriate even for a beginning knitter.

Things You'll Need

• Chenille yarn
• Measuring tape
• Knitting needles
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle
• Crochet hook

Instructions

1. Knit a gauge swatch 4 inches square. The piles on the chenille cause the yarn to grab on to itself, making tensioning the yarn a major change from traditionally spun yarns. Knit a gauge swatch, not only to determine the number of stitches per inch that you get, but also to accustom yourself to the yarn.

2. Multiply the desired width of your scarf by the number of stitches per inch from your gauge swatch. This will give you the number of stitches you will need to cast on to your needles. Scarves are generally between 6 and 8 inches wide.

3. Cast on your required number of stitches and knit. Continue knitting in stockinette stitch, which is knitting one row and then purling the next, alternating knit and purl rows. When you have reached the desired length for your scarf, bind off all stitches. Cut the yarn and using your tapestry needle, weave in all ends.

4. Cut numerous pieces of yarn to the same length, between 10 and 20 inches. Hold two strands of yarn together and fold them in half. Insert the crochet hook into the scarf immediately above the cast on row. Grab the strands of yarn at the fold point with the hook, and pull the loop through. Insert your crochet hook into the loop and grab the tails of the fringe. Pull the tails through the loop. Repeat at regular intervals along the cast on and cast off edges of the scarf.

Tips & Warnings

• Chenille yarn often comes in skeins with fewer yards than standard yarn. Combine two or more colors or textures of yarn for a striped design that will make your chenille yarn go farther.

References

• Chenille International Manufacturers Association
• "Knitty" magazine: Frankenknits - Spring Cleaning