Here I am sharing some fun and cute scarf patterns that have recently caught my eye. These patterns seem easy enough for a beginner, if you’ve had some knitting practice, but want to branch out.
If you have mastered casting on and basic knits and purls, choose Sophie. If you can follow knitting and purling by sight to accomplish ribbing, choose Alex. The third scarf, called Scarf No. 4, seems a bit harder, but not much.
The thing about knitting a little scarf, is having a finished project fast. These are not your regular, long rectangle shapes. Each of the scarves on this page are much smaller, and take less yarn to complete. Consider a specialty, soft Cashmere yarn. I have some listed on this page.
Scarf Preview
I’ve begun knitting two of the three scarves listed on this page.
I’ve begun knitting two of them, Sophie and Alex. That way I can give you first hand accounts of what I think. If you are somewhat of a beginner knitter, I believe you could knit them all. In fact, they would be good practice.
Scarf Style
The patterns are knit from one end to the other. They begin with a cast on and expand to the center width. Then they decrease for the other side. To use up one skein, use the weighing method.
Weighing Method
If you have one skein to use, it should have double the length needed (and then some). Begin by weighing the yarn. This step is crucial if it’s very close to the amount of yarn needed. Find the mid point of the pattern, and begin decreasing when you are just less than halfway through your skein. How do you know? Buy a scale that shows grams and ounces (Amazon paid link). Weigh the skein before you begin, and then along the way.
Choosing Yarn
The patterns on this page are for small scarves. They take one or two smaller skeins of yarn. (Please go to each pattern’s page – I provide links – for more information on yarn needed.) Cashmere, or a cashmere combo, is recommended by all three designers, but any soft yarn would work. These scarves will be wrapped right against the neck, like a fun little accessory. Choose a yarn that will be soft and comfortable right on your skin.
Percentages next to yarn names below are for Merino wool to Cashmere in the yarn. Read this page for information about the reason for combining the two yarns. In short, it is for sturdiness.
Yarn Amounts
Check each pattern for yardage needed for your type of yarn and needle size. In my list below I have tried to figure, in general, yarn amounts needed for the longer scarves.
- Sophie: Size L: 40 inches = 140 yards needed. (Small size takes 101+ yards.)
- Alex: Size M: 49 inches = 273 yard ball listed. (219 yards on project page.) BUT this changes according to yarn weight and needle used!
- Scarf #4: One size: 49 inches = 219 yards (or more) of yarn total.
Honestly, all three scarves gave me a headache while trying to figure out how much yarn I needed for each. “Alex” lists grams and yards, but uses three different weights and needle sizes for each of the three scarves. “Sophie” says 35g. needed of Compatable Cashmere @ 25g. balls. (so 2 are needed, if I use this specific yarn). “Scarf No.4” lists everything in grams and meters and I had to figure the yards.
We all knit a little differently. Also, remember that if you prefer a longer scarf, the yardage will be more. It is always better to have a little more yarn than needed.
Prices are listed here, but remember that they will no doubt change over time. I’ve listed them to give you an idea of the cost of knitting with a special – in this case Cashmere – yarn. Please note that when I purchased some of these Cashmere yarns, the skeins weighed in at less.
- Lang Yarn Cashmere Premium – 100% Cashmere with chainette construction for holding shape. -Around $28 per skein for 125 yards. (two skeins needed for longer scarf) – save 10% at WoolandCompany on $100 or more & they have free shipping in the US ❤️ for all orders. * I ordered some of this and the 25 gram ball weighs in at 23 grams.
- Pascuali Cashmere Charis 70%/30% Mongolian Cashmere– cost around $30 for 122 yards (50g.) – you need 2 for the longer scarves – More for Alex. *My balls each weigh 48 grams, not 50.
- Purl Soho Cashmere Merino Bloom 75%/25% – Present cost is $43 for 218 yards (Ravelry users say it pills.)
- Myak Tibetan Cashmere – 100% Tibetan goats, supports herders of the Tibetan Plateau – $47 for 128 yards.
- Clinton Hill Cashmere – 100% Italian Cashmere – $52 for 125 yards.
1. Casting On For The “Alex Scarf”
The Alex Scarf (link to pattern below) is a pattern by Pernille Larson, aka Knitting for Olive. This is her page at Ravelry. The business is run by her and her daughter. They sell yarn that is not mulesed (look that up). They use only pure natural fibers. They also create really lovely patterns of all kinds, and have lots of knitting patterns for babies and children.
I thought that some new Knitting for Olive yarn would be nice to have. I wanted to make the scarf with their Merino held with Cashmere. Then I looked in my spare bedroom at all the yarn just sitting there….. I passed on the new order (boo hoo)and chose to use up some old Miss Babs yarns.
From my stash I chose a dark brown-green “Lobster Legs” colorway, in Superwash. The skein contains 400 yards, which is plenty for the Medium size scarf. I also have some green mohair to use up, so I combined the two. The color was nice, and the pattern is great. But as I knit on, I am wondering if the Mohair will be too scratchy.
One ball of Knitting For Olive Merino with 273 yards, held with 2 balls of KFO Cashmere is suggested.
Mohair is not really a good choice when something is worn near the skin. I’m not super sensitive to wool, but mohair – especially certain types of mohair – can be itchy and uncomfortable. This scarf is turning out to feel that way, so I may not continue with this yarn. I do love the pattern.
The Alex Scarf pattern can be purchased at Ravelry. The pattern includes three sizes and various yarn weight options. Only Knitting for Olive yarns and amounts are used in the yarn section. One ball of KFO merino is 273 yds. Only one ball is used for the Medium size scarf.
2. The “Sophie Scarf” by PetiteKnit
The Sophie Scarf (Ravelry pattern page) is everywhere it seems! According to the pattern page, 25,000+ knitters are knitting, or have knit, this scarf. It’s a cute, and easy, pattern that takes DK yarn. Size 4 needles are suggested, and the pattern is for 2 lengths. It is done in garter stitch (knitting back and forth) with I-cord edges. The designer gives it a 2 of 5 difficulty rating. Knitting this scarf is addictive!
You will need to: Knit front and back for increases, and manage the decrease stitches. This is not difficult. The edging is I-cord, which is also easy. As you knit along, the edge is created. Keep good track of the rows when you begin so know when to increase and decrease. Those should all be made along the same edge. Use a marker to designate the “front” of the work.
Yarn required for the Sophie Scarf is 101 yds. (small size) or 140 yds. (large size) in DK weight.
The Sophie Scarf pattern offers two sizes. I am knitting the longer version. The shorter scarf will come around from the back and tie in the front, more like an accessory, or accent. The longer version will wrap twice for warmth.
To show you the scarf as it is knit, I cast on using some stash yarn. This is Lorna’s Laces Solemate, and it is a very soft, machine washable merino, nylon and Outlast. I believe it is fingering weight, and I am holding it double. I went up to a size 5 needle. I really want to use up this yarn.
3. Pattern For “Scarf No. 4”
The third scarf, from “My Favorite Things knitwear” is named Scarf No. 4. It is also knit from end to end like the others. It is a long, triangle shape with a textured pattern. I have not knit this one.
Yarn needed is approx. 219 yards DK weight.
Yarn suggestions for this scarf are pretty much the same as the others. The cashmere mentioned is Lang Cashmere Premium, Compatible Cashmere lace (use two strands together). Or search for yarn that contains cashmere along with merino, silk, or other soft fibers.
This scarf has a different type of edging called “distitch”. It is not difficult to do. There is a YouTube video link included with the pattern. When I search “distitch edging” then I can see it here.
Scarf No. 4 is written for one size. Approximate length will be 49 inches. Yarn amounts are listed in grams and meters, but on the Ravelry page I see 219 yards.
Skills to know are yarn overs, knitting through the back loop, increases and decreases and distitch edging. Also knitting and purling in pattern. The directions seem easy to understand. When you see “est” in the pattern it means “edge stitches”. This is explained, but I missed it at first.
The Three Scarves Links List
In closing, I’m adding the links to all three scarves once more. Each link goes to the Ravelry page where the pattern is for sale. Also, find more information from the designer about yarn ideas and amount needed. Read reviews by knitters, and find out what types of yarn they used.
- Alex Scarf, by Knitting for Olive
- Sophie Scarf, by PetiteKnit
- Scarf No. 4, by My Favorite Things Knitwear
My goal is to use up some nice yarn in my stash. Have only one skein? See if you can use it to knit a comfy and usable neck warmer. These fun, cute projects make excellent take-along, travel knits. They are perfect for gift giving to special people too.
