Garter Stitch Scarf

The Garter Stitch Scarf is the ultimate beginner’s pattern using just a simple knit stitch and super chunky wool, this pattern can be completed in just one afternoon.

This scarf is probably the simplest knitting project to complete. To master the Garter Stitch Scarf you will need to use a basic knit stitch and join several balls of wool, weaving in the ends of wool as you knit.

Using extra chunky yarn makes this project quick to build. This great statement piece for your wardrobe will keep you warm and cosy all winter. This scarf makes a perfect gift as it can be completed in an evening or weekend.

You will need:

· Chunky wool – I used Cygnet Seriously Chunky Wool – 4 x 100g balls*
· 12mm knitting needles
· Crochet hook / large blunt needle for weaving in the ends

* If you chose to increases the size of the scarf you will need to increase the amount of wool accordingly

Tension & Sizes

The scarf pictured is 9” x 72” (24cm x 180cm) which is long enough to wrap around the neck twice or to tie around the collar of a coat. As a general guide a scarf for an adult should be equal in length to their height.

Following the pattern below will produce a 9” x 72” (23cm x 180cm) scarf, if you would like to increase the size you can a) add extra rows which will make the scarf longer, b) add extra stitches to make the scarf wider. The pattern indicates where to add extra rows and stitches to alter the size.

Measuring a 10cm (4”) square of the scarf you should see 6 stitches across and 12 rows. If you find that your working is tighter you can add more stitches until you are happy with the width of the scarf.

Pattern

Step 1: Cast on 15 stitches. The number of stitches cast on will determine the width of your scarf, to make the scarf wider add more stitches and to make the scarf narrower cast on fewer stitches at this step. You can find a guide to casting on here.

Step 2: Work in garter stitch as follows:

Row 1: Knit all stitches

That’s it! Just keep knitting all stitches of every row until you have the desired length and you have approximately 50” - 55” (125cm - 140cm) of yarn left for binding off.

Step 3: Bind off all of your stitches, you can find a guide to binding off here.

Step 4: Weave in your loose ends using a blunt needle.

Changing Colour & Joining a New Ball

When joining two balls of wool it is important to make the smallest join to avoid large knots in your knitting. The easiest way to do this is to join your new wool at the end of a row. This will mean that the join is at the edge of your work which make it easier to hide.

Continue with your first ball of wool until you have ~4” remaining OR you have reached the end of your row with not enough wool remaining to complete the next row.

Take your new ball of wool and begin to knit with this new strand. Once you have knitted 4 or 5 stitches return to your two loose ends of wool. Tie the ends together pulling gently to ensure that the loose stitches are the correct size and tension.

Now that your ends are secure you need to ‘weave in’ your ends. That means taking a needle, or in the case of very chunky wool you can use a crochet hook or your fingers, to tuck the loose ends into the surrounding stitches to hide them and to stop them from unravelling.