Choosing a Winter Scarf Pattern to Knit

Some of my favorite beginner knitting projects were winter scarves. And they are something I would wear often when I lived in New Hampshire. Usually the repeats are simple enough that a scarf project can be picked up and worked on at any time without losing your place.

Maybe because it’s nearly Fall I am thinking about scarves even though I will have little chance to wear any. A scarf around the neck is just so out of place here in Florida. In fact I don’t think it’s allowed!

Most other climates are getting ready for winter and many knitters get very excited by the opportunity to plan a winter knitting project.

When it Comes to Scarves, Size Doesn’t Matter

I’m not talking about scarf size here, I’m talking people size. Knitting a swatch for a scarf is usually not required. Adjust as you go for length, and width is not hard to figure either. When the winter winds blow, what is better than having a warm, hand-knit scarf around your neck?

Skinny people look good in anything, but scarves look good on all of us!

My scarf knitting projects used to be very simple. I once made a whole scarf with seed stitch. That took a while, but my knit stitch repertoire was minimal back then. Now I am looking for something different, something unique. I may even make up my own scarf pattern!

I’m adding some links below for future scarf-knitting reference and I already have some yarn in mind to use – see my blog post here.

Slipped Stitch Scarves and Cowls

The slip stitch is also known as the linen stitch because the knitting ends up looking more like fabric. It’s pretty, and many colors can be combined, but the end result could end up looking more like a rug around the neck.

• Mini Mania Scarf – “Free” download at Etsy. Scroll the page and find the download. Her shop shows $3.99 and Free, but she explains in the description. The download is truly free. The scarf is very pretty, and is a good way to use up scrap yarn, but I’m not sure I want such a heavy finished project for around my neck.

The Honey Cowl pattern is FREE and is a fun, slipped stitch, double wrap neck warmer. All three photos below are my three versions of it. It is perfect for a beginner knitter too. (This is the one I am wearing in the opening photo.)

When searching for “tube scarf” often cowls will show up. A cowl is a long (or short) circle.

Reversible Scarves

Because a scarf is usually just thrown on around the neck, it is helpful if both sides of a knitted scarf look good. There are a couple of ways to knit a scarf like this. Either choose one where the pattern or simple stitches look good from both sides, or knit a tube scarf.

A tube scarf will usually need a provisional cast on because it is knit in a long tube until the desired length. Then, the open ends are joined together. A tube scarf is nice for doing colorwork, like my scarf below. (No pattern here, I am making it up as I go.)

• Reversible Scarves pattern book at Amazon. This book has over 30 scarf patterns and each scarf is double-sided, or looks good any way you wear it.

• Stranded Sheep Scarf – This one is a FREE download at Ravelry. It’s one of the things I like about tube scarves, they can have motifs and colorwork because all the yarn carries are inside the scarf – never to be seen.

Scarves For Men and Boys

• Rolo, scarf for men! Find this pattern on Ravelry. It contains guy colors fo black and gray, with some red. Of course, color choice is up to you.
• Norwegian Snowflake Scarf is designed by Todd Gocken who also designs sweaters for men. This one is a Free download!

Little Scarves

I’m updating this page with some ideas for little scarves. A few that I’ve been creating from super fun patterns are: Sophie Scarf, Alex Scarf (ribbed), and Scarf No.4 . Sophie is a pattern by PetiteKnit and it is super popular. Scarf No.4 is less well known, but I think more knitters should be knitting it! Alex comes in three sizes. Read more about these little scarves on this post.

A small scarf can be knit up in no time. It is cheaper to make (depending on the yarn), or can be knit with a special, expensive yarn that is super soft, like cashmere.

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