This post features 29 FREE Scarf Knitting Patterns.
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When the cold wind starts howling and I can’t seem to catch my breath in the bitter weather, my hand knit scarf becomes my go-to. I especially love wearing a looooong scarf that I can wrap around my face, over and over again, creating a thick layer between me and the elements.
My wish for you is that you find the perfect scarf knitting pattern to turn your cold winter days into comfortable ones.
Thank you for being here. Happy Scarf Knitting!
Easy Free Scarf Knitting Patterns
The Great Start Super Scarf
The Great Start Super Scarf by Michelle Greenberg is a fantastic first scarf project. Knit entirely in garter stitch (all knit stitches), The Great Start Super Scarf even comes with a video tutorial, geared toward the beginner.
Garter stitch is achieved by knitting each and every stitch when working back and forth in rows. When knitting in the round, one way to achieve garter stitch is by knitting 1 row and purling the next.
the slow bloom
Michelle Greenberg carefully walks you through how to make a slip knot, how to hold your yarn (in either hand), and how to bind off and weave in ends. And at the end of it all you have a scarf to show for your efforts! What’s not to love?
Michelle recommends Super Chunky Yarn, which will ensure quicker progress. The Great Start Super Scarf is designed using Lion Brand Heartland Thick & Quick on size 9mm needles:
Additional Easy Free Scarf Patterns for Beginners include Tasselled Tartan Scarf by Paintbox Yarns and Mellifluous Scarf by Stacey Winklepleck:
Wheat
Wheat by Tin Can Knits (hands down, one of my favorite knitwear designers) is an Easy Free Scarf Knitting Pattern for the adventurous beginner. It’s a unisex pattern that includes a full tutorial, walking you through every step of the way!
Wheat includes a combination of knit and purl stitches, creating a gorgeous scarf with great visual interest. It is knit from worsted weight yarn and in the photos above, Tin Can Knits has used Sweet Fiber Cashmerino Worsted in Colorway: “Spanish Coin”.
For additional Worsted Weight Yarn options, consider Malabrigo WASHTED or The Fibre Co. Cumbria:
Other FABULOUS Free Scarf Knitting Patterns from Tin Can Knits include Grain and
Got needles? Here are my favorite Knitting Needle Sets from Knit Picks:
Free Mens Scarf Knitting Patterns
Chunky Beginners Scarf
Are you looking for a beginner scarf knitting pattern for men? Linda Wilgus has you covered with the Chunky Beginners Scarf.
Knit in Super Bulky Yarn, the unisex, Chunky Beginners Scarf is designed using a combination of knit and purl stitches that create a simple rib pattern. Linda Wilgus notes that by creating a ribbed fabric, you create extra warmth because when not stretched out, the ribbed fabric forms almost a double layer of hand knit coziness.
The Chunky Beginners Scarf is knit in Super Bulky Yarn and Linda recommends Rowan Big Wool which comes in dozens of shades on LoveCrafts. Another great Super Bulky Yarn option is Paintbox Yarns Simply Super Chunky which you can buy in a 10 Ball Value Pack and save a bundle!
Looking for a Trendy Scarf Knitting Pattern? Check out Tie Break Triangle Scarf by Paintbox Yarns. For a more classic scarf consider the Archer Scarf by Kiki Geiger:
Eric’s Winter Scarf
Eric’s Winter Scarf by Bonnie Nurnberger is a gorgeously textured knitting pattern that features a combination of knit, purl and slip stitches to create this unique design. Bonnie Nurnberger‘s pattern details just the information you need to knit this basic stitch pattern.
Eric’s Winter Scarf is designed for Worsted Weight Yarn. Bonnie Nurnberger knit the one above using Madeline Tosh Vintage Yarn. For additional colorway options, I recommend Cascade 220 and West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft:
For even more FREE Mens Scarf Knitting Patterns featuring textured stitch work, check out Nordic Men’s Scarf by Mary Grasia and Men’s Interchangeable Scarves in Caron Simply Soft:
Infinity Scarf Knitting Patterns
The infinity scarf has been extremely popular for a long time now and it’s not wonder. Part cowl, part scarf, the infinity scarf is as versatile as it is stylish.
There are several ways that you can join the ends of an infinity scarf, and one of them involves using a provisional cast on. If you are as intimidated as I was about the provisional cast on, then I recommend this LINK where Knit Picks provides a Provisional Cast On Video and Written Tutorials.
Not ready for the provisional cast on? No worries! Stick with the Roslyn Infinity Cowl or cast on your infinity scarf as you would normally and sew your cast on and bind off edges together when you’re finished the scarf!
Roslyn Infinity Cowl
The Roslyn Infinity Cowl by Erica Jackofsky is one of my all time favorite infinity scarves. It is knit in the round from the bottom up and features both cables and lace to make for a stunning finished project.
The Roslyn Infinity Cowl is knit with Knit Picks Billow, which is a Bulky Weight, cotton yarn. The scarf above is knit in the “Clarity” colorway. I love the “Tumeric” and “Tea Rose” colorways too:
Prefer to knit with wool? Consider Biggo or Swish Bulky:
Up for a colorwork challenge? The Voyage Infinity Scarf by Stana D. Sortor and the Infinite Sheep Scarf by Erica Jackofsky are classified as intermediate patterns, but ooooooh so worth the extra effort!
Are you a new knitter looking for an Easy Infinity Scarf? Check out Spring Infinity Scarf by Schachenmayr and Betty’s Infinity Scarf by iknit2purl2:
Free Hat and Scarf Knitting Patterns
Why just knit a scarf when you can knit a hat to match? Check out these Free Hat and Scarf Knitting Patterns, from designers Wendy and Lion Brand:
Floppy Hat and Scarf in Wendy Mode Chunky
by Wendy
I just love this Floppy Hat and Scarf set by Wendy. It’s a classic pattern, but the oversized nature of the scarf and hat make it trendier and more modern. Both garments are created using moss stitch, which is a K1, P1 pattern over an odd number of stitches (which staggers the pattern to create a textured fairly robust fabric):
Moss stitch is a K1, P1 pattern over an odd number of stitches. It creates a textured, fairly robust fabric.
The slow bloom
Wendy designed the Floppy Hat and Scarf using Wendy Mode Chunky Yarn. For additional Chunky Yarn options, check out Malabrigo Mecha and Wool of the Andes Bulky:
For even more free hat and scarf knitting patterns, check out the Hat and Scarf in Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick and Herdwick Dell Hat and Scarf in Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand:
Free Cable Scarf Knitting Patterns
Cabled Scarf
by Debbie Bliss
The Cabled Scarf by Debbie Bliss is one of my absolute favorite cable knit patterns. The cables are just stunning and the width and length of this scarf ensures that it will be one of the warmest scarves you ever knit!
The cable repeat in this Free Cabled Scarf Pattern is 8 rows long and you will simply repeat those 8 rows until you have achieved your desired length. If I were to knit this pattern again, I think I’d begin and end the scarf with several garter stitch rows, to match the garter stitch border on either side of the cables.
The Cabled Scarf by Debbie Bliss is designed for Debbie Bliss Rialto Chunky in colorway “Ecru”. A great alternative Chunky yarn is Wool of the Andes Superwash Bulky:
A great cable needle can make all the difference when knitting cables. If you’re in need of a reliable cable needle, consider Knit Picks Radiant Wood Cable Needles and Cable Knitting Needles by Knit Picks Design Team:
2 other GORGEOUS cable scarf knitting patterns are the Scarf in Lana Grossa Gomitolo Versione 23 by Lana Grossa and Chickling Cable Scarf by Paintbox Yarns:
Free Lace Scarf Knitting Patterns
There is nothing more romantic than knitted lace. I have been an avid lace knitter for years and I recommend it to anyone who hasn’t tried it yet.
Like most knitting techniques, lace knitting typically involves repeating a series of simple movements or stitches that culminate into something breathtakingly beautiful.
If you’re curious, consider the lace patterns below and read my recommendations for how to set yourself up for lace knitting success!
Dissymmetric Triangle Scarf
The Dissymmetric Triangle Scarf by Angela Modzelewski is a great lace scarf knitting pattern for a beginner or a seasoned knitter looking for something simple. The Dissymmetric Triangle Scarf is comprised of 3 lace stitches: “KFB – Knit Front & Back“, “YO – Yarn Over” and “K2Tog – Knit 2 Together“.
One of the BEST things about knitting lace is the bang you get for your buck when you buy Fingering Weight or Lace Weight Yarn. You can knit something massive with just a skein or 2! And the colorways are divine!
Angela designed Dissymmetric Triangle Scarf for 2 strands (held together) of Hawthorne Speckle Hand Painted Yarn (80% Fine Superwash Highland Wool, 20% Polyamide) which comes in a wide range of dazzling colorways:
If you’re unsure about holding 2 strands of fingering weight yarn together, opt for 1 strand of worsted weight yarn such as Muse Hand Painted or Kelbourne Germantown:
Stitch Markers
“To keep track of your stitches while knitting lace, I recommend that you use as many stitch markers as you need.”
The Slow Bloom
My husband teases that he always knows where I am because I leave a trail of stitch markers behind me wherever I go! I love to buy cheap markers in bulk so that I don’t worry about losing one, or running out when I need “just one more”.
My favorite stitch markers for lace are these Metal Stitch Markers. They are all the same size, and will fit comfortably over needles up to Size 10 US.
I also love to use these plastic Knitting Stitch Markers that come in a variety of sizes. The varying shades allow me to use different colors to highlight the various sections of my knitting:
Fishtail Lace Scarf
Another beautiful lace scarf knitting pattern is the Fishtail Lace Scarf by the Knit Picks Design Team.
Similar lace scarf knitting patterns include Shilasdair drop-leaf scarf by Linda Moorhouse and Highland Mists Lace Scarf by Melody Hadley:
Blocking Your Lace
“If your lace project looks more like a shriveled mess than a scarf when you’re finished, you’ve done something right!”
the slow bloom
I’ve heard from knitters who say that they stop part way through their lace project because what they’re knitting just looks wrinkled or messy and they think they’ve done something wrong. The thing about lace is that until you’ve blocked your final product, lace often looks like a piece of paper that you’ve crumpled into a ball and then tried to make smooth again!
Blocking your lace involves soaking it in a wool-friendly soap and then drying any excess water by rolling your lace up in a clean, dry towel. When it is mostly dry, you will pin your lace to a mattress or drying mats using lace wires, blocking pins, T-pins (or all 3!).
I love the Knit Picks Basic Blocking Kit, but any set will do, and I’ve heard from many knitters who say they found their blocking mats from the Dollar store!
Chart Keeper
If your lace pattern includes a chart, an extremely helpful tool that you can use is a chart keeper. The Premium Knitting Chart Keeper by Knit Picks allows you to keep track of your row with magnets and then close it when you’re finished and toss it into a drawer or project bag.
To conclude today’s post, here are 3 more Free Lace Scarf Knitting Patterns that I just had to share:
This post was all about FREE Scarf Knitting Patterns. Leave a comment below letting us know whether you’ve completed one of the patterns above and what your experience was.
Do you have another FABULOUS FREE Scarf Knitting Pattern that you’d recommend? Mention it (or link it below) and we will be sure to check it out!
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