How to Knit a Scarf

Co-authored by Jen Webber

Last Updated: March 9, 2024 Fact Checked

Anyone can easily knit a scarf. There's no need to spend exorbitant amounts of money at the store! You can start off by knitting a scarf for beginners. This scarf pattern will use the most basic stitching pattern out there. All you need is two knitting needles and some yarn! If you're looking for a complementary project that's a little more difficult, think about knitting mittens. This article will teach you how to switch between different balls of yarn as you knit. Note that this method is not required to knit a scarf - you can keep the same color for the whole scarf and skip the steps about switching, if you like.

1

Gather Your Materials

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For first-time knitters, It's easier to use thick needles and bulky yarn because it'll make the knitting of the scarf much faster and easier.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Jen Webber
Knitting Specialist

Expert Interview. 4 August 2020.}
- To achieve a multicolored look without switching yarns, try a variegated yarn that incorporates several different colors.^{[2]
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  Research source}
- Have 200 yards (182.9 m) of yarn at your disposal.
- Bigger needles create a looser stitch; smaller needles, a tighter one. Choose the size according to your desired look.

2

Cast On

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Cast on 10-40 stitches using your first color of yarn, depending on the size of your needles and desired width.
- If you are a beginner knitter, you should make a relatively small scarf, enough to keep you warm, but avoid making it so wide that it takes too long to knit.
- If you are knitting with worsted weight yarn and size 8 to 10 needles, you'll need to cast on 30 to 40 stitches for a nice-sized scarf.

3

Knit Your First Rows

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Knit for 12 rows with the first color. Remember that you do not have to knit another color if you do not want to, and you do not have to knit the other color immediately, either.
- You can knit to this point, then put it down, and return later or tomorrow to continue. This is what makes knitting so great. Never leave your knitting in the middle of a row, or it will pull funny.

4

Cut Your Yarn

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Cut the yarn with scissors after you complete the 12th row. Make sure to leave a 6-inch tail.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Jen Webber
Knitting Specialist

Expert Interview. 4 August 2020.}
- If you choose not to have a second color, then skip this step and just continue knitting in the one color all the way to the end.
  - If you plan to make a single-colored scarf, check the dye lot listed on the yarn label. Make sure to get the same dye lot to avoid manufacturing variations in color. (If you are buying one ball of each color, you do not need to worry about the dye lot.)

5

Add a Second Color

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Add a second color of yarn to the first color. This will make your scarf look professional and coordinate with more outfits.
- Align the end of the tail of the first color with the beginning of the second color of yarn. Hold them together in your left hand, away from the thread of the new color that you'll be knitting.

6

Knit Your Second Color

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7

Leave the Ends Loose

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Later, you'll weave them into the scarf with a tapestry needle or crochet hook.
- Never tie knots to change colors when you are knitting. You can usually see them, and it makes it difficult to correct mistakes.

8

Knit the New Yarn

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Follow the same process you did with the first color.

9

Add a Third Color

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Add your third color of yarn (if you choose). Follow the instructions given above for adding the second color yarn. Cut the yarn with your scissors and again leave a 6-inch tail.
- You can do this as many times as you like! You can also have smaller or larger sections if you prefer to have a dominant color.

10

Alternate Colors

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Knit 12 rows again, as with the second color. Make sure to maintain focus and not go on autopilot--you could drop a stitch inadvertently.
- Keep alternating colors as instructed, doing 12 rows of each, until the scarf reaches a desired length. The scarf, when finished, will have a pattern of three different colors.

11

Finish Your Scarf

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Cast off your stitches. Wrap your scarf around your neck and admire your own handiwork. Feels good, doesn't it?
- Use a crochet hook to weave your loose string into your scarf, hiding the end.^{[4]
  X
  Research source} A knot can be seen and look a little haphazard.

Expert Q&A

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Question

What do I do with the last length of yarn to finish the scarf?

Jen Webber
Knitting Specialist
Jen Webber is a Knitting Specialist and the Manager of The Quarter Stitch, a crafting store based in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 17 years of knitting and crafting experience, Jen helps educate customers and the public on best knitting practices for their DIY projects.

Jen Webber

Knitting Specialist

Expert Answer

The trick to stop here is to leave yourself a few inches of yarn to work with at the end, and pull it the loop in the last row and the stitch it to anchor it in place. Cut any excessive yarn off and you're done! Some people like to use a larger needle to bind it off and you can do that too so long as it isn't too tight.

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Question

How do I end the scarf after I finish it?

Community Answer

Read How to Cast Off for help with this.

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Does it matter what size the yarn and needles are?

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Yes and no. Your needles need to match the weight of the yarn. Most yarns will come with a label that tells you what size needles you should use. In general, you need thin needles for thin yarn, and thick needles for thick yarn. You can use any thickness of yarn for the scarf, however. To make a standard scarf, use thinner yarn. To make a chunky/bulky scarf, use thicker yarn.

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Tips

Keep your yarn labels so that you can easily remember what type of yarn you used, and what the precise colorway was called, in case you need more.^{[5]
X
Research source} If you have a lot of saved yarn labels already, you may want to organize them into a binder with a swatch of the yarn--or at least staple a short length of yarn to the label so it's easy to tell what's what.

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If you are a relaxed knitter, your stitches will be very loose. If you are a tense knitter, your stitches will be very tight. It's best to find a tension somewhere in the middle of these while still being relaxed. Either way, maintain a constant level of tension.

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This project may take a long time to complete depending on how often you knit. You might want to complete this project over the course of several days. If a gift-giving occasion is coming up, such as a birthday or Christmas, get a head start.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Before you start knitting a scarf for the first time, knit a small swatch of the stitch that you'll use for the scarf. This will give you a little bit of practice with the technique before you start and give you a sense for what your pattern should look like.
I know a lot of people find YouTube tutorials helpful but I never really improved at knitting until I took an in-person lesson. There's just no real substitute for having someone point out your mistakes as you knit in real time.
If you're brand new to knitting, use bigger needles. They're a lot easier to handle and use.

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Warnings

If you are less than 13 years old, having a parent nearby to assist you will be beneficial.

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Depending on the yarn you choose, three balls may not be enough (or it may be too much!). Not all balls of yarn have the same yardage. Try to get about 200 yards (182.9 m) total, and make sure it is bulky weight.

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Things You'll Need

Three balls of extra-bulky yarn (each in a different color or two to three balls in the same color)
One pair of knitting needles (any size)
Tapestry needle or crochet hook
Scissors