How to Knit a Neck Scarf

Don this handmade scarf with any outfit or give it to a dear friend. To wear it, slip one end through either of the loops at front.

Martha Stewart Editors

Updated on October 30, 2020

Before you begin, learn how to knit in the round. You will use three knitting needles (two straight needles, one double-pointed) to form a triangle in order to increase, decrease, and divide stitches (as shown in illustrations). When instructed to rib in the pattern below, knit 1, purl 1 alternately across the row. Adjust needle size as necessary to obtain correct gauge (5 stitches and 11 rows equal 1 inch in garter stitch). The finished size is 4 by 26 inches.

What You'll Need

Materials

2 skeins sport-weight yarn
Knitting needles, U.S. size 4 (3.5 mm)
Double-pointed needle, in same size
Stitch holder
Tapestry needle (Clover 3121)

Instructions

Cast on 3 stitches.
Row One: Knit 2, slip the last stitch purlwise.
Row Two: With yarn in the back, knit 1, increase 1 (see how to increase), knit 1, and slip the last stitch purlwise.
Row Three: With yarn in the back, knit 1, increase 1, knit to the last stitch, slip the last stitch purlwise.
Repeat row three until you have 24 stitches. The piece should now measure about 4 1/2 inches wide.
Continue to knit across every row, still slipping the last stitch of each row purlwise, until the piece measures 4 inches long.
Divide. When you're finished, half the stitches will be on the double-pointed needle and the other half will be on your working needle.
Rib across the stitches on your working needle (leave the stitches on double-pointed needle as is), still slipping the last stitch purlwise. Continue for 1 1/2 inches. Transfer these ribbed stitches onto stitch holder. Break yarn, leaving a tail long enough to weave in later.
Rejoin the yarn, and rib across the stitches on the double-pointed needle for 1 1/2 inches.
Transfer all stitches onto one needle as follows: Slip 1 stitch purlwise from the double-pointed needle, then slip 1 purlwise from the working needle. Repeat across the row until all stitches are on one needle.
Knit every row, slipping the last stitch purlwise, for 15 1/2 inches. To adjust the size of the scarf, knit fewer inches for a child or more for a large adult.
Using the same method as in step seven, divide the stitches between the two needles.
Repeat steps eight, nine, and 10.
Knit every row, slipping the last stitch purlwise, for 2 1/2 inches.
To finish: Knit 1, decrease (see how to decrease), and knit to end of row, slipping the last stitch purlwise. Repeat this sequence every row until only three stitches remain. Bind off. Using the tapestry needle, weave in the ends.

Originally appeared: MARTHA STEWART LIVING, JANUARY 2009