How To Knit A Scarf

Scarf Dimensions: 6 1/2 in. x 60 in. (before addition of optional fringe)

There's nothing like a beautiful hand-knitted scarf to add a bit of pizazz to your warm winter wardrobe. Made with love, a knitted scarf makes a great gift. Or you can learn how to knit a scarf yourself and enjoy it all the more knowing you alone created this fabulous work of fashion art.

For the knitting beginner, a scarf is the perfect first project. Fun and easy, you will learn the simple basic steps you will need to know to move on to more advanced knitting projects.

The first thing you will need to do is gather your supplies. You will need:

• four-ply worsted weight yarn (Beginners are encouraged to choose a solid color to start and move into multiple and variegated colors as their skill level increases. Be sure to test out the feel of the yarn. If you do not like the feel, you won't want to wear your new scarf! You will want to purchase 6oz. If you want to add fringe, purchase more as this will add about 7 inches to your scarf.)
• knitting needles (There are a variety of needles available from bamboo to plastic to metal, among others. You will need to choose  which fits your particular preference. You will need size 8.)
• crochet hook (This is extremely helpful for picking up dropped stitches. Size H or as close as you can find.)
• scissors (A good, sharp pair.)
• tapestry needle, & good hand cream (Sounds odd, I know, but you need to keep your hands moisturized while knitting, as the materials will absorb the natural oils in your skin. You need a hand cream that is clean and absorbent and won't mess up your yarn.)

It is very important that you purchase supplies that feel comfortable in your own hands.

Got everything you need? Ok, let's get started! We will begin with some terminology you will need to know in order to begin knitting.

Cast On (CO): This means creating a row of initial stitches on your knitting needle. This is how you begin your project.
Knit (K): The basic knitting stitch.
Purl (P): The purl stitch is kind of the opposite of the knit stitch. You often combine it with the knit stitch in most projects.
Cast Off: Secures your stitching at the end of your work.

Cast On
Make a slip knot on one needle. This is your first stitch. Hold the needle with knot in your left hand. Your thumb and index finger should be close to the point of the needle to help you control it.

Your right hand will be used to control the yarn coming off the skein. You will also hold the other knitting needle in your right hand. Again, place your fingers close to the point.

Place the point of the right needle, from front to back, into the slip knot. The right needle will rest under the left needle. Hold the left needle in your left hand as you move your left fingers over to hold the right needle. Use your right index finger to pick up the yarn from the skein, bringing the yarn under and over the point of the right needle (going from left to right). Return your right fingers to the right needle. Draw the yarn through the existing stitch with the point of your right needle. Slide the left needle into the new stitch by bringing the needles parallel to one another. Remove the right needle from the stitch. Pull the skein yarn gently, so the stitch is secure on the needle. You should have two stitches on the left needle. Place the point of the right needle, from front to back, into the new stitch and under the left needle. Repeat until you have all 26 stitches cast on.

Knit
Hold the needle with the 24 cast-on stitches in your left hand. Place the right needle point into the first stitch, from front to back under the left needle. Use your right index finger to bring the loose yarn under and over the point of the right needle. Draw the yarn through the stitch with your right needle point. Slip the first loop on the left needle off, so that the new stitch on the right needle. Repeat according to scarf instructions.

Purl
Insert your right needle, from left to right, into the first stitch, and in front of the left needle. Hold the yarn in front of the side facing you, and bring the yarn around the right needle counterclockwise. Use your right needle to pull the yarn back through the stitch. Slide the stitch off of the left needle, leaving the new stitch on your right needle. You have completed a purl stitch. Repeat per scarf instructions.

Before you begin your scarf, you will want to knit a sample square. The gauge for this project is four squares per inch. Measure your sample with a ruler to check your gauge. You may require a change in needle size to achieve the correct gauge. Be sure to keep your stitches loose, both on the sample and your scarf.

To begin, cast on 26 stitches. On row one: Knit1, Pearl across entire row. Row 2: Pearl1, Knit across row. Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the scarf is 60 inches long. Cast off your stitching.

Cast Off
Knit two stitches. There will now be two stitches on your right needle. Insert your left needle into the first stitch you knitted onto the right needle. Pull your left needle up and to the left so that the first stitch is pulled over the second and off the tip of the right needle. One stitch remains on the right needle and one stitch is now cast off. Knit another stitch. Once again, there are two stitches on your right needle. Repeat from where you insert the left needle into the first stitch and repeat all steps until each of your stitches is cast off. Thread excess yarn onto a tapestry needle and weave approximately 2 to 3 inches into the edge of the knitted piece. Cut excess yarn.

Add Fringe (optional)
To add fringe to your scarf, wind your yarn around a piece of heavy cardboard 8 in. x 5 in. Wind the yarn lengthwise around the cardboard 60 times. Insert one blade of a pair of scissors between the cardboard and yarn at one end of the cardboard and cut through the yarn.

Divide the yarn into groups of five strands each. Fold one group of strands in half and use a crochet hook to pull the fold through one stitch in the scarf edge. Pull through just far enough so that the fold forms a loop. Use the crochet hook to pull the yarn strands, from back to front, through the loop made in the previous step. Pull to tighten. Start your fringe at one left or right edge of the scarf and space each yarn group about five stitches apart. End your fringe at the opposite edge. Repeat these steps for the other end of the scarf.

Now that you have learned how to knit a scarf, you're own your way to creating beautiful handmade wardrobe additions perfect for the whole family!