Knitted Scarf
A garter stitch scarf teaches you to cast on, knit, and bind off, and it cannot curl because every row is knit. Ribbing makes a warmer and more professional looking scarf once you are comfortable, but start with garter if this is your first project.
Plan this project at my size -> The planner scales the material list and the time estimate to the size you want.
What it costs in materials
The quantities below are a basis, not a shopping list. Each one is stated per unit of the scale this project is measured in, and the planner multiplies it by the size you choose and adds your waste allowance. Where the quantity is 0 the item is a tool or a piece of equipment you either have or do not: a larger version of the same project does not need more of it.
| Material | Quantity basis | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Worsted weight yarn | 0.06 skeins per inch of length | About 4 skeins of 200 yards at 65 inches. |
| Knitting needles Tool, not a quantity | As needed | 5.0 mm for worsted, or whatever your swatch requires. |
| Cable needle Tool, not a quantity | As needed | Only if you are working cables. |
| Tapestry needle Tool, not a quantity | As needed | For the final seaming and the ends. |
These figures do not include prices, on purpose. Material prices change by supplier, season and country, so the planner asks you to check them yourself rather than presenting an invented number as a fact. Scale this list to your size ->
How long it takes
- Working time
- 0.5 hours
- Finishing
- 1.0 hours
- Example at 65 in
- 33.5 hours
per in of length
Blocking, seaming, curing or mounting, on top of the working time
The planner gives you this figure for whatever size you enter
These are estimates for someone working steadily, not for a first attempt at a new technique and not for a rushed one. Most people take longer on the first version and much less time on the third, which is why the planner also shows a stretch estimate about a quarter higher than the working figure.
Steps
-
1
Swatch and measure
Cast on 30 stitches and knit 20 rows. Measure the stitches per inch across the middle of the fabric.
-
2
Cast on
Multiply your stitches per inch by the width you want. For an 8 inch garter scarf at 4.5 stitches per inch, cast on 36.
-
3
Knit every row
Work until the scarf measures your finished length, stretching it gently as you measure so the length is honest.
-
4
Bind off loosely
Bind off with a needle one size larger if your bind off is tight. A tight bind off makes one end narrower than the other.
-
5
Weave in and block
Weave the ends in along the edge, then wash and lay flat to dry. Garter stitch opens up noticeably after its first wash.
Skills you will practise
- cast on
- knit stitch
- bind off
- weaving in ends
If any of these are new to you, work them on scrap first. Practising a technique on the real piece is how an afternoon turns into a week.
Tips
- Use a longer needle than you think you need. A crowded needle slows you down and drops stitches.
- Do not skip the swatch. Two stitches per inch of difference changes the width of a scarf by more than an inch.
- Add fringe if you want the scarf to hang better. It also hides an uneven cast on edge.
Tools for this project
Work out the quantities before you buy anything. Each tool shows its formula and its assumptions.
Blanket Yarn Calculator
Yarn estimates for bed and throw blankets by size, with the standard blanket dimensions already filled in.
Crochet Hook Size Converter
Convert crochet hook sizes between metric millimetres, US letter sizes and the old UK numbering.
Crochet Project Cost Calculator
Add up the yarn, supplies, pattern and labour costs of a crochet project, then see a suggested selling price.
Gauge Calculator
Turn a measured swatch into stitches and rows per inch and per centimetre, and see the stitch count for a width.
Knitting Needle Size Converter
Convert knitting needle sizes between metric millimetres, US numbers and old UK numbers.
Knitting Project Cost Calculator
Total the cost of a knitting project including needles and notions, then see a suggested selling price.
Guides
The Complete Guide to Crochet Hook and Yarn Sizes
If you have ever stood in a yarn aisle holding a pattern that says "4 mm hook, worsted weight" and wondered whether the skein in your hand is actually worsted, this guide is for you. By the end, you w...
How Much Yarn Do You Need for a Blanket?
Yarn math is the part of blanket making nobody warns you about. Run out at row 180 of 200 and you have a problem: dye lots rarely match perfectly, and a substitute yarn can change how the whole thing...
How to Calculate the Amount of Yarn You Need
You are about to start a project and the pattern says "6 skeins of worsted weight." Or worse, you are designing something yourself and there is no pattern at all. You want to buy once, not make three...
How Much Yarn Do I Need for a Blanket?
A practical method for estimating blanket yarn, why the answer varies so much, and the two measurements that decide it.