Free Scarf Pattern: Long Scarf Knit In The Round

If you wish, you can simply learn to knit comfortably with four needles and leave it at that. But if you are feeling adventurous, I've included some suggestions for knitting with multiple colors, and also for including a textured design.

I got the idea for this scarf from this picture. This scarf was probably machine knit; it appears oddly flattened. This is odd because any handknitter knows that stockinette stitch (K one row, P one row) curls and is anything BUT flat.

I guess I should have been more specific on my home page, where I announced that I would rather be knitting. I might add, I really don't enjoy purling.

So why not knit up this scarf in the round on four double pointed sock needles? Why not indeed!

Materials: I decided to knit this in four different colors, but the more the merrier! Two colors I only had one ball of each, the other two colors I have 4 or 5 balls of each. I played with different size stripes, saving the bigger stripes for the colors where I had more yarn. I needn't have worried, as I used up only one color of yarn totally. So this is a fabulous pattern for using up bits of yarn.

I used knitting worsted and size 8 needles. Well, one of the needles felt a little bigger than the others but it didn't matter for this pattern. You might want to use a size or two larger needles for designs that tend to pull the fabric in a bit, such as the one I give you below.

Cast on 30 stitches, 10 on each of 3 needles, and just start knitting a long tube. I figure my scarf will hang down at least 12 inches at each end, so in the beginning and last 12 inches I will play with color designs a little.

Remember, if you wish, you can knit this whole scarf in just one color, and just knit with no textured pattern.

When you're ready to change color for the first time, maybe after knitting for 1 1/2 inches in color A, knit one round as follows:

K1 with color A, k1 with color B, repeat to end of round. Knit one round with color A only, then repeat first round. Cut color A, and continue knitting around with only color B until your tired of that color.

Plan ahead for inserting small patterns wherever you like, there is no wrong place to do this. Small x's are easy. Or insert a very small one round stripe somewhere.

You are going to be knitting this for at least 90 inches, whatever length you like. I made mine extra long so it would hang down past my waist even if wound around my neck twice. I really just like hanging it around my neck without the winding. Whenever you start getting bored, change color or add a little pattern to perk up your interest.

Or, try knitting a whole section in a different texture. Here's a simple one that looks a lot more complex than it really is. Try this one, it's incredibly easy:

Knit 1 round. Next round: K1, *slip 1 with yarn in front, k1, repeat from * around, end K1. Knit next round. Next round: K1, *k1, slip 1 with yarn in front, repeat from * around, end K1. Repeat four rounds for pattern.

I was tempted to put this in the advanced section because many new knitters don't want to tackle such a long project at first, but it's easy, and if you're just knitting plain in one color or knitting simple stripes, you can knit easily while watching tv.

Knitting is also good for all the times when you must wait. In lines...while riding in a car...while at the doctor's office...while a web page is loading...and so on. Or while you're on the phone, or having a neighbor over for coffee.

A small project can be put into a small drawstring bag. The strings can be tied to your belt loop. Then leave your ball of yarn in the bag and just take out your knitting. How easy is that? Instant on-the-go knitting.

Take it with your everywhere and you'll have it done before you know it.

Please feel free to browse this site for other free knitting patterns.