how to knit a striped scarf for beginners, by shelly on YouTube. 20 min.
- Video length
- 20 min
- Time to do it
- 1 day
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 8
What you need
Steps
Make a slip knot and place it on your needle. Leave a long tail so you can use the long tail cast on.
Cast on your stitches with the long tail method. For a scarf, cast on enough stitches to reach your chosen width, often around 30.
Knit every stitch on every row to make garter stitch. This gives a flat, ridged fabric that does not curl.
Knit several rows in your first colour, then switch to the second colour to start a stripe. Change colours at the start of a row.
Carry the unused yarn up the side of the work instead of cutting it. This keeps the edge tidy and saves weaving later.
Keep knitting stripes until the scarf is as long as you want. A common length is about 150 cm or as tall as the wearer.
Cast off all stitches loosely so the end does not pull tight. Cut the yarn and pull it through the last loop.
Weave the loose ends into the wrong side with a darning needle. Trim the tails close to the fabric.
Tips and common mistakes
Keep your tension even by relaxing your hands, or the scarf will narrow and widen along its length.
Count your stitches after each stripe to catch dropped or added stitches early.
Carry the yarn loosely up the side so the edge does not pucker.
Block the finished scarf lightly with water to even out the stitches.
Questions
How many stitches should I cast on for a scarf?
It depends on your yarn and needle size. For worsted yarn on US 8 needles, around 30 stitches gives a scarf about 20 cm wide. Knit a small test swatch first.
Do I need to cut the yarn when I change colours?
No. Carry the unused colour up the side of the work and pick it up when you need it again. Only cut the yarn at the very end.
What is garter stitch?
Garter stitch means knitting every stitch on every row. It makes a stretchy, ridged fabric that lies flat, which is ideal for a beginner scarf.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
