How to Make a Hand-Knit Scarf

Tina Hilton, contributor

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Fabulous yarn and a simple stitch combine to make a stunning, one-of-a-kind scarf.

Scott Phillips

The basic stockinette stitch (knit a row, purl a row) forms several of the bands on this scarf.

Scott Phillips

Learn to make a drop stitch--this forms the bands of long, open stitches in the scarf.

Scott Phillips

Fabulous yarn and a simple stitch combine to make a stunning, one-of-a-kind scarf.

Photo: Scott Phillips

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This trendy, furry, knit scarf accommodates many types of yarn. The stitches may be simple, but the end result is anything but! And with these simple instructions, you can make enough scarves to diminish your extravagant yarn stash, and what's better, the more scarves you make, the more you can give.

The yarns make this scarf special. The knitting is easy: you just need to create four sections and then repeat as described in the following steps for the scarf length you desire. For clarity, we used plain yarns in the step-by-step photos.

Things You'll Need:
Size 13 knitting needles
Scissors
1 ball ladder yarn
1 ball eyelash yarn
1 ball feather yarn
1 ball ribbon yarn
1 ball microfiber yarn

Step 1: Garter Stitch
Cast on 15 to 22 stitches, depending on how wide you want the scarf. Don't worry about gauge. With ribbon and eyelash yarns together, knit six rows of garter stitch (knit every row). After each section, cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Tie on the next yarn, also leaving a 6-inch tail.

This is the first of four sections used to create this easy to make scarf.

After each section, cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail; tie on the next yarn, also leaving a 6-inch tail.

Step 2: Drop Stitch
Tie on feather yarn. Then knit across, wrapping the yarn around twice for each stitch. (You're doubling the number of stitches you originally cast on.) Turn your work, and purl back, dropping the extra yarn loop as you go. (You'll now have the original number of stitches, but they'll be elongated).

When you purl back, the stitches will feel very loose; that's the way they're supposed to feel.

a. Knit across
Insert the right needle into the end loop of the left needle. Wrap twice. Pull both loops through.

Insert the right needle into the end loop of the left needle.

Wrap twice.

Pull both loops through.

b. Purl back
Insert the right needle into the end loop and wrap once. Pull through, and drop the next loop of the left needle.

Insert the right needle into the end loop, and wrap once.

Pull through, and drop the next loop off the left needle.

Step 3: Stockinette Stitch
Tie on the microfiber yarn. Then work four rows of stockinette stitch (knit a row; then purl a row)

The large needle size (13) and yarn variations make this classic stitch look quite different.

a. Knit a row
Insert the right needle into the end loop of the left needle from left to right. Wrap Once. Pull the loop through.

Insert the right needle into the end loop of the left needle from left to right.

Wrap once.

Pull the loop through.

b. Purl a row
Insert the right needle in the end loop from right to left. Wrap once. Pull through.

Insert the right needle in the end loop from right to left.

Pull loop through.

Step 4: Drop Stitch and Garter Stitch
Tie on ladder and ribbon yarns. With ladder and ribbon yarns together, drop stitch as described in Step 2. Then, cut only the ladder yarn, and tie on the eyelash yarn. With the eyelash and ribbon yarns together work four rows of garter stitch as described in Step 1.

Use eyelash and ribbon yarn together for this step.

Step 5: Repeat
Repeat steps 1-5. On the very last section of the scarf, instead of knitting garter stitches for four rows (as described in Step 4), work it for six rows. This will match the six rows of garter stitch you knitted at the very beginning of the scarf.

Step 6: Finish by binding off
To get the scarf off the needles and to secure the ends so that it doesn't unravel, bind off. The long tails might be a bit uneven (which adds to the scarf's charm), but if you want a neater look, give them a little haircut.

The long tails just add to the scarf's charm.

Photos by: Scott Phillips

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Comments (10)

GreyBird writes: I like to knit but am not very good at it. This looks like a great project for me. Can't wait to try it. Thanks for posting!
Posted: 12:07 pm on September 16th

sunfleur1 writes: you can also buy yarns that have different fibers mixed in to get the same effect... look up component yarns. ICE yarns makes one, and Numei also makes one, and Prizm yarns has a version and Be Sweet also makes a wonderful one. I have been making scarves like this one for years... and i love them!
Posted: 6:49 pm on July 25th

sews4fun writes: I have to say, I'm not much of a scarf person but this gorgeous work of art tempts me!
Posted: 6:34 pm on July 23rd

Koral123 writes: Where can you buy the trellis ladder ribbon yarn? We can no longer buy it in the craft stores that used to sell it.
Posted: 10:51 pm on November 4th

celtica98 writes: Love this scarf, can't wait to try it, but also confused a bit on the yarns listed. "Leader" yarn is mentioned in the list of materials, but "Ladder" yarn is mentioned in the instructions. Any clarification? Thanks
Posted: 11:13 pm on February 6th

mammerman writes: The first yarn listed in your pattern is 1 ball leader yarn. Is this yarn carried through out the scarf adding the other 4 yarns as you knit each section? Thanks!
Posted: 3:44 pm on September 14th

calendergirls writes: love the idea for using scraps of left over yarn. I love to make scarves. prehapes I'll try knitting a purse to match.
Posted: 5:42 pm on July 18th

ChristineDesigns writes: Thanks for the idea & the clear instructions! I have lots of left over yarn just waiting to be used!
Posted: 3:47 pm on May 2nd

sukitu writes: Great Pattern, your instructions and illustrations are excellant. What a great way to use left over yarns.
I'm not really sukitu, that's my yorkie puppy. Can't figure out how to change that.
Judyha
Posted: 9:03 pm on May 1st

MomtoZoe writes: Wow, I love this scarf. I can't wait to finish up the 2 I am working on and give this one a shot.
Thanks for the clear and concise directions and great photographs to go with!
Posted: 2:01 pm on April 8th

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