How to Knit a Scarf

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines a scarf as "a broad band of cloth worn about the shoulders, around the neck, or over the head."http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/scarf It is quite easy to create a woolen scarf by knitting it with any of the wide variety of yarns available today such as microfibers and velvets. This How to Knit a Scarf page shows you how to make a knitted scarf with cable and twist stitches. The pattern is appropriate for both men and women.

Any knitter that is comfortable creating the basic stitches can complete this tutorial without a problem. The process of making cables is described step by step for those that are not familiar with them. You will need the following supplies: (2) 5 ounce skeins of worsted weight yarn in any color that you desire, yarn needle, size 8 knitting needles, set of size 8 double pointed needles and a set of cable needles. It should take 4 to 5 hours to finish the whole cabled scarf.

This pattern features a knitted-in pocket at the bottom of the scarf and an Aran styled knotwork cable. Since the pocket is integrated into the design, it maintains a sleek silhouette. For those that are experienced in altering patterns, the cable motif takes place over 22 stitches and 18 rows. So, you can replace the panel with any similar Aran cable pattern that you prefer.

• Slip Knot:

1. Construct a loop with the yarn. Then, hold the tail behind it.
2. Push the hook in the loop on the right side. Bring it up beneath the vertical bar made by the tail end. Take it through the loop on the left.
3. Tug the tail then tighten the knot. Leave a 6 inch tail.

• Knitted Cast On:

1. Form a slip knot on your needle. Then, hold the knitting needle in your left hand.
2. Push the second needle through the loop. At this point, create a knit stitch.
3. Now, take the loop that you just created and transfer it from the right needle to the left one. It doesn't matter if you move the loop directly or with a twist. Just make sure you do it the same way each time.

• Knit Stitch:

1. Put the yarn behind the knitting needles.
2. Place the right needle on the left side of the first loop.
3. Push it down and behind through the loop on the left needle. The right needle should be behind the left needle.
4. Wrap the yarn over the right needle then slide the needle up bringing up a loop on the right needle.
5. Drag the right needle to the right and push off the old loop from the left needle.

• Purl Stitch:

1. Put the yarn in front of the needles.
2. Place the right needle on the right side of the first loop.
3. Push the right needle in the loop from right to left. Now, the right needle is in front of the left one.
4. Wrap your yarn over the right needle. Push the needle down and behind bringing up a new loop on the right needle.
5. Push off the old loop from the left needle.

• Basic Cast Off:

1. Make 2 knit stitches into the next 2 loops on the left needle.
2. Insert the tip of the left needle into the second loop on the right needle.
3. Hook that loop and pull it over the first loop until it falls off the right needle. You should have one loop left on the right.
4. Knit the next stitch.
5. Continue steps 2 through 6 until you reach the end of the row. Cut a 6 inch length of yarn and pass it through the last loop. Weave in the ends.

• Note: You can use purl stitches instead of knit stitches.

• Weaving in Ends:

To weave in a tail, thread the tail in your yarn needle. Then, work the yarn in and out of the purl bumps on the back of the scarf.

• Cables and Twists:
• Cable 3 Front: Using the cable needle, slip the next two stitches onto it and hang in front. Knit the next stitch on the left needle. Then, knit the stitches from the cable needle individually.

• Cable 3 Back: Using the cable needle, slip the next stitch onto it and hang in back. Knit the next two stitches on the left needle. Then, knit the stitch from the cable needle.

• Cable 4 Front: Using the cable needle, slip the next two stitches onto it and hang in front. Knit the next two stitches on the left needle. Then, knit the stitches from the cable needle individually.

• Cable 4 Back: Using the cable needle, slip the next two stitches onto it and hang in back. Knit the next two stitches on the left needle. Then, knit the stitches from the cable needle individually.

• Twist 3 Front: Using the cable needle, slip the next two stitches onto it and hang in front. Purl the next stitch on the left needle. Then, knit the stitches from the cable needle individually.

• Twist 3 Back: Using the cable needle, slip the next stitch onto it and hang in back. Knit the next two stitches on the left needle. Then, purl the stitch from the cable needle.

• Twist 4 Front: Using the cable needle, slip the next two stitches onto it and hang in front. Purl the next two stitches on the left needle. Then, knit the stitches from the cable needle individually.

• Twist 4 Back: Using the cable needle, slip the next two stitches onto it and hang in back. Knit the next two stitches on the left needle. Then, purl the stitches from the cable needle individually.

You need to make a sample to compare to the gauge. The gauge dimensions are 2 inches wide by 2 inches tall. A size 8 needle and worsted weight yarn were used to create the gauge.

• Gauge:
• Make a chain with 9 loops.
• Row 1: Knit 9.
• Row 2: Purl 9.

Repeat for row 1 and 2 for 12 rows.

• Instructions:
• Cast on 36 stitches using straight needles.
• Row 1: Knit 6, purl 1, knit 2, purl 7, knit 4, purl 7, knit 2, purl 1 then knit 6.
• Row 2: Purl 6, knit 1, purl 2, knit 7, purl 4, knit 7, purl 2, knit 1 then purl 6.
• Row 3: Knit 6, purl 1, knit 2, purl 6, cable 3 back, cable 3 front, purl 6, knit 2, purl 1 then knit 6.
• Row 4: Purl 6, knit 1, purl 2, knit 6, purl 6, knit 6, purl 2, knit 1 then purl 6.
• Row 5: Knit 6, purl 1, knit 2, purl 5, cable 3 back, knit 2, cable 3 front, purl 5, knit 2, purl 1 then knit 6.
• Row 6: Purl 6, knit 1, purl 2, knit 5, purl 8, knit 5, purl 2, knit 1 then purl 6.
• Row 7: Knit 6, purl 1, knit 2, purl 4, twist 3 back, knit 4, twist 3 front, purl 4, knit 2, purl 1 then knit 6.
• Row 8: Purl 6, knit 1, purl 2, knit 4, purl 2, knit 1, purl 4, knit 1, purl 2, knit 4, purl 2, knit 1 then purl 6.
• Row 9: Knit 6, purl 1, knit 2, purl 3, twist 3 back, purl 1, knit 4, purl 1, twist 3 front, purl 3, knit 2, purl 1 then knit 6.
• Row 10: Purl 6, knit 1, purl 2, knit 3, purl 2, knit 2, purl 4, knit 2, purl 2, knit 3, purl 2, knit 1 then purl 6.
• Row 11: Knit 6, purl 1, twist 4 front, twist 3 back, purl 2, knit 4, purl 2, twist 3 front, twist 4 back, purl 1 then knit 6.
• Row 12: Purl 6, knit 1, knit 2, purl 4, knit 3, purl 4, knit 3, purl 4, knit 2, knit 1 then purl 6.
• Row 13: Knit 6, purl 1, purl 2, cable 4 back, purl 3, knit 4, purl 3, cable 4 front, purl 2, purl 1 then knit 6.
• Row 14: Purl 6, knit 1, knit 2, purl 4, knit 3, purl 4, knit 3, purl 4, knit 2, knit 1 then purl 6.
• Row 15: Knit 6, purl 1, purl 1, twist 3 back, twist 3 front, purl 2, knit 4, purl 2, twist 3 back, twist 3 front, purl 1, purl 1 then knit 6.
• Row 16: Purl 6, knit 1, knit 1, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 4, knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 2, knit 1, knit 1 then purl 6.
• Row 17: Knit 6, purl 1, twist 3 back, purl 2, twist 3 front, purl 1, knit 4, purl 1, twist 3 back, purl 2, twist 3 front, purl 1 then knit 6.
• Row 18: Purl 6, knit 1, knit 1, purl 2, knit 4, purl 2, knit 1, purl 4, knit 1, purl 2, knit 4, purl 2, knit 1 then purl 6.
• Row 19: Knit 6, purl 1, knit 2, purl 4, twist 3 front, knit 4, twist 3 back, purl 4, knit 2, purl 1 then knit 6.
• Row 20: Purl 6, knit 1, knit 1, purl 2, knit 5, purl 8, knit 5, purl 2, knit 1 then purl 6.
• Repeat rows 3 through 20 until you reach your desired length. Do not cast off. Remember that you still need to add 4 inches for the pocket section.

• Knitted-In Pocket:

First, you need to make a lining for your pocket. Using your double pointed needles, cast on 44 stitches. (Put 22 on one needle and 22 on the other.) Use a third needle to knit every row until you have 3 1/2 inches of fabric. Leave the 2 needles in the fabric so that you can knit it to the scarf.

• Back on the Scarf:
• Row 21: Knit 6 then purl 1. Slip the next 22 stitches to a double pointed needle. Then, place your lining with needles above the slipped stitches. Knit across the top double pointed needle in the lining. Now, the lining in partially connected to your scarf. Go back to your scarf needle (not the slipped stitches) and purl 1 then knit 6.
• Row 22: Purl 6, knit 24 then purl 6.
• Row 23: Knit 6, knit 24 then knit 6.
• Repeat rows 22 and 23 until you reach around 4 inches. Cast off then cut the yarn and weave in the ends.

At this point, you need to connect the last stitches of the lining to the slipped stitches of the scarf. Hold the slipped stitches and lining stitches together. With the two needles in your left hand, insert the right needle into the first loop on the scarf needle as if to knit. Then, push through and insert the needle through the first loop on the lining needle as if to knit. Wrap your yarn over and make a knit stitch through both loops. Drag the needle to the right removing both old loops. Repeat this process of knitting into corresponding loops until you reach the end. Now, you have 22 stitches on a single needle. Make 6 rows of 2 by 2 ribbing. Cut the yarn and weave in the ends. Sew the edges of the ribbing down then sew the lining edges and bottom down to the back of the scarf.

• 2 by 2 Ribbing:
• Row 1: Sequence: Knit 2 then purl 2. Repeat the sequence across the row.
• Row 2: Sequence: Purl 2 then knit 2. Repeat the sequence across the row.
• Row 3 - 6: Repeat rows 1 through 2.