Not sure what to buy that special someone on your holiday list this year? Skip the stores and make a thoughtful, homemade gift they’re sure to love! Here, Woburn, MA teacher Belynda C. shares three scarf knitting patterns to try out…
There’s nothing more thoughtful or appreciated than a hand-made gift at the holidays. If you feel like time is running out, don’t fret! Here are three quick and easy scarf knitting patterns that will ensure you have a beautiful gift in plenty of time for your gift exchange. These scarf knitting patterns are meant for the beginning knitter, so you can practice your skills while you work on your gift list!
The Knit 2 Hours Or Less scarf is just as it reads (note: you’ll need to create an account on the Lion Brand website to see the pattern).This cuddly scarf is made with quick work-up and chilly winter winds in mind! The thick texture and pretty color combination is created by holding together three strands of aran-weight yarn. Choose traditional holiday colors, or three complementary colors your recipient will be sure to love.
To make this scarf, here are the skills you’ll need:
– Garter Stitch—Knit every row. There is no purling in this pattern, which means the work will fly by!
– Yarn Held Together—Work from three balls of yarn simultaneously, knitting them as though they were one (very chunky) yarn.
– Gauge Check—You’ll need to be sure your work will be the right size when it’s finished. If you’ve never checked gauge, here is a great overview.
The Ramstar Falls Scarf (and hat!) is a traditional ribbed pattern that will give you plenty of practice alternating between knitting and purling. After all that good work, you’ll have a charming, chunky scarf and cap suitable for anyone on your list. This is a great project to tackle if you’re looking for a slightly more challenging scarf knitting pattern to improve on basic technique.
To make this scarf, you should know:
– Rib stitch—Combination knitting and purling within each row.
– Seaming (hat only)—The hat in this pattern is knitted flat, and seamed up the back to create a wearable item. Here’s a tutorial on seaming.
The Mock Cable Scarf is a fun patterned scarf to try out once you’ve mastered the skills above. This pattern is a little more advanced, but the challenge and the results will really make this pattern a favorite for you and the lucky recipient! The “mock” cables are achieved without using a cable needle, using a stitch called the “right twist” to give the illusion of crossed stitches.
To pull off this pretty design, you should be able to:
– Knit and Purl—This pattern requires knitting and purling in a pattern to create the texture of the design.
– Right Twist—The right twist is achieved by knitting two stitches together (k2tog) without pulling it off the left needle. You then knit the first stitch again. See this video to see how it works.
– Bind Off In Pattern—Binding off in pattern means binding off using both knit and purl (according to what stitch you are currently knitting). Click here for a guide.
Choose the pattern that works best for your skills, and you’ll be quickly on your way to a great gift that will be enjoyed this holiday season, and every season after!
Happy stitching!
Belynda C. teaches knitting and writing in Woburn, MA. She earned her Bachelor of Science in English from Northeastern University. She has been knitting for over five years, and has taught children as young as 8. Learn more about Belynda here!
Photo by smittenkittenorig
Suzy S.