Scarves thread

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67539]

Hello /diy/nos!
Today we're going to have a thread dedicated to scarves!
As those of you in the Northern hemisphere may already know, winter is approaching. (or has already arrived) In some places, the temperature gets really freakin' cold, and you should protect yourself from that with proper winter gear.
One of the easiest things you can make (though admittedly not the MOST useful) is a scarf. It can be made in many ways, with many different materials, and in many styles. (some are more style than substance, but can still serve a purpose.) A handmade scarf also makes a great gift to someone you care about, because it tells them you care enough about them that you don't want them to die of hypothermia.
Or a great gift for someone you don't care about, because you won't have to spend so much time on it.
So I'm gonna post up some scarf-making resources!
But first, kind of some pointers to use when making a scarf

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67543]

* For a long scarf, you're gonna want it to be about as long as you are tall, because when it wraps around your neck a few times, it's gonna seem a lot shorter.
* There are lots of ways to wear a scarf. I'll post a video or two about it later in the thread.
* If wide enough, a scarf can keep more than just your neck warm, being wrapped to protect the lower part of the face, too.
* Be mindful of what material you're making a scarf out of. Wool is very warm, but can be itchy, and you have to take care when washing it. Cotton is absorbent, and might freeze over in the moisture from your breath if worn around the face.
* If making a scarf for a male, be mindful of his tastes. Fringe is fairly unisex, but pompoms, frills, and bright colors are generally seen as more feminine traits. If you are a male, use your own discretion.

[Anonymous No.67547]

I have very recently started to knit. Found this pompom yarn and I liked how it turned out. I only have this picture though, when I just had started.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67560]

First, the basics of knitting.
if you are learning to knit, scarves and washcloths are some of the easiest projects for first-timers.
While i don't have any specific patterns for knit scarves, I have a couple videos to get you started knitting, and there are several more on youtube and all across the internet, not to mention countless written instructions, and books.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKHLEquvqoU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ddVVVjUdWw
Keep in mind that there are two basic knitting stiches to learn, and you might end up using both. There are also two methods of casting on, and you should just use the one that's easier for you.
The thicker the needles you use, the faster your scarf will come along. You can use lightweight thin yarn with thicker needles, but it's harder to use very thick yarn with thin needles.
Also, something that can't be said enough is to keep your stitches loose when first starting out.
One more thing, you can use just the knit stitch, and you'll end up with something like figure A.
For figure B, you should do one row of knit stitches, turn your work, and then do one row of purl stitches. rinse, repeat.
For a ribbing pattern that goes the length of the scarf,(fig C) you should alternate stitches, such as K1 P1, or K2 P2. It's easier to do that with an even number of stitches, but an odd number is fine.
For a seed or checkered pattern (fig D), it's easier to use an odd number of stitches. Then you can K1 P1 K1P1 every row, and not have to think about which stitch to start the row with. If you use an even number of stitches, then start one row with a knit, and the next row with a purl.
Lastly, it's possible to knit the scarf lengthwise, if you have very long or circular needles. With circulars, just turn them like regular needles.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67574]

Crocheting has many more stitches to learn, but you don't have to use all of them. It can seem pretty complicated, but is a bit more versatile than knitting imo. For a scarf, you only really need one stitch, and the easiest is the single crochet stitch, which you'll find reference for in the second video. Actually, the second video's channel is one of the best for learning crochet stitches, too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtC1s4dlN5g
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyVPUBgDnJg&feature=related
With crochet, you only need one hooked needle, and the same thing about knitting needle and yarn sizes applies here. Also, since your stitches won't be residing on the needle, it may be easier to make a scarf lengthwise by crochet.
You can crochet borders onto other fabrics and even knits, but unfortunately I don't have a specific reference for that right now.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67578]

>>67547
That's super cute! It almost looks like it's made of marshmallows!

A quick intermission and side note:
It's easy to make your own straight kitting needles if you don't want to buy them. Just sharpen a pair of wooden dowels with a pencil sharpener, sand them down, and attach some clay or a button on the end to keep your stitches from falling off!

[Anonymous No.67582]

>>67543* If wide enough, a scarf can keep more than just your neck warm, being wrapped to protect the lower part of the face, too.

I'd like to add that the real benefit of scarfs is to close up the neckline of your jacket or coat, preventing wind from blowing in. That's what really keeps you warm, the insulation for your neck and face is just a fringe benefit.

[Anonymous No.67583]

Is this a scarf? Yes it's a scarf. Who would wear it? I'd wear it. You wouldn't wear it? Fuck you then, this scarf is awesome.

[Anonymous No.67584]

scarf as a cravat
final fantasy cosplay as fashion
it's pretty sweet

[Anonymous No.67587]

I don't really have anything actually relevant to /diy/ scarf making so I'll cut my dump short here.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67588]

This next one is called a rapunzel or braided scarf. It's pretty easy to make, and a great way to use up scraps of yarn. It's a bit more style than substance, but makes a cute gift, and can keep you pretty warm if you make it thick enough.
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=72581.0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxJY4lna5q0
You can separate the strands by color, or even just use one solid color of yarn.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67598]

Moving away from yarn for a bit, non-fraying fabrics such as polar fleece are great for sewing newbies to use, because you don't need to worry about hems.
This first one's a no-sew, and pretty straightforward. you cut out the length and width of your scarf, and then maybe cut some fringe to make the ends look nice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hBTDsOETiPk
If you cut the fringe-strips longer, you can knot them, for +5 defense

[Anonymous No.67602]

Bump

[Anonymous No.67603]

Hey milkweed, I have a problem in that I always either increase or decrease my stitches over time, so I end up with triangles.

Should I get a stitch counter?

[Anonymous No.67605]

I just taught myself how to knit because I wanted a non itchy chunky scarf, which is impossible for me to find, and I'm about half way done!

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67607]

Here's a tutorial for a scarf that has fringe down the length of it. It's very fancy and only involves a little sewing, which could maybe be done by hand.
http://www.makeandtakes.com/easy-fringe-fleece-scarf-tutorial
This one's actually +10 MP
Also, because I forgot the written tutorial link from the last post, here that is:
http://makeitfromscratch.blogspot.com/2008/11/make-simple-fleece-scarf-in-minutes.html

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67610]

>>67603
Maybe you should, because if you're dropping stitches, you could end up with holes in your finished piece.
>>67605
Congrats! Good luck with the rest of it, too.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67622]

The infinity and mobius scarves that were so popular in the last few years? There are actually two or three ways to go about that.
The first involves sewing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zK_ACEkyMTw
You can use non-knit fabrics, but you might have to hem them.
The second way is to knit one yourself:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgViXvx7kDw
Pretty easy with circular needles, probably harder with double-pointed.
and the third would be to crochet
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWw8DtvnxRg
That video's not the best example, but the rest of the videos I found about crocheting in the round were for smaller projects. For this, you'd need to make a very long chain, then make a stitch from the first stitch you made, instead of the last. Then, just keep working it around without dropping or gaining any stitches.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G9sWYFpsPqU
kind of like that video, but bigger.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67629]

This scarf is very fancy, and another no-sew, made from a T-shirt or similar jersy-knit fabric (don't use fleece)
Here's the tutorial:
http://tidymom.net/2011/how-to-make-a-scarf/

[Anonymous No.67630]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=5LYAEz777AU

25 ways to wear a scarf

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67647]

Fingerknitting is a fairly easy technique and very inexpensive, as all you need is yarn and your hands. It's also very similar to how you would use a knitting loom.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3LKAlDz9ig
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VrTULR1PFxg


Sidenote- it makes a nice rope, not the sturdiest, but more of a decorative rope.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67656]

>>67630
Thanks, that's much better than the one i was gonna post.

Moving on, when you get a knitting loom, it'll usually come with instructions for how to use it, but here's a video on how to use one made for scarves
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii9-oRpwVWA&feature=related
You can also use a small round loom to make a tube-scarf, or a larger loom for a flat scarf if instead of moving all the way around, you move back and forth along the pegs

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67662]

This video is the best one I could find for weaving a scarf. If you plan on doing this, you don't have to use yarn and fabric like she does, you can use yarn and more yarn, or fabric and more fabric.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPpYivXfZWA
If you are working with a lot of yarn, it may help while weaving to cut it into more manageable lengths.
You can make a shuttle by cutting out a small, rectangular piece of cardboard and wrapping the strand you're weaving around that.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67667]

This last one, I couldn't really find a how-to or tutorial for, so please forgive this one I made myself.
I recommend polar fleece, but you could probably use any kind of fabric for it.
It makes a nice, simple, masculine scarf. Just make sure when you cut your fabric to leave room for seam allowance.

[Anonymous No.67686]

How can I into knitting?
Seriously, I have tried and tried and I can't wrap my fucking brain around it.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67690]

Here are some more tips:
* if you want some stripes going down the length as in figure E, you should be working up the width as shown. Same in figure F with shorter stripes cutting across the width, work up the length.
* if you want fringe on the end of a scarf, find or cut a small hole, and string through some yarn. To secure it, you can either tie a knot like in figure G, or use a lark's head knot.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hkqc0E0s-rk
*the bumpy, braided look on the red and purple scarves in the first image is done with a method called cabling. You need a special needle for it, and it's a bit more complex than just simple knitting.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67696]

>>67686
Are you talking about the concept or the practice?
The concept of knitting is a bunch of loops that are woven into the loops above or under them, kind of like how a chain-link fence, and exactly like in this pic.
The practice of knitting can be tricky, and if reading or watching videos hasn't helped you, the best thing I could recommend would be a live teacher. (that's one of the best ways to learn most things). If you know anyone who knits, ask them to show you how it's done. Most knitters I've met have been more than happy to teach.
Or, if you see someone you don't know knitting, and they don't look very busy, kindly tell them you'd like to learn, and ask them if they can show you a bit. Or, if you think that would be too awkward, look around your area for a knitting circle or club.
I learned to tat that way, by asking some lady at an anime convention if she could show me how.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67697]

>>67696
forgot pic.

captcha: istitch and

[Anonymous No.67709]

>>67697
>>67697
and what Captcha? and whaaaaaaaatttt?

Thanks for the image, I struggle with understanding how two needles can turn yarn into something knitted. Crochet, I totally get that, but knitting just doesn't make a lot of sense.
I think I kind of understand now a little bit now though, thanks.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67725]

>>67709
Ah, okay. Glad that helps.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67793]

Bumping with the last scarf I made.
Feel free to share scarves any of you have made, or post links to patterns and tutorials.

[Anonymous No.67950]

bump

[Anony-Mouse !oH4Xx2Olmo No.67960]

Huh, scarf thread, nice timing.
I'm in the middle of knitting my first scarf, but I got a problem...
Since I'm new to knitting, my first couple of rows are pretty crappy (missed loops, uneven, what I don't even...), whereas all my recent rows have been just fine since I got the hang of it.
Now, is there a way for me to cut off the first couple of rows without having the rest of the scarf unravel?
I was thinking about putting tassels on it, would it be possible to tie up a row with tassels and cut off the rest?

[Anonymous No.67973]

http://hooksandyarns.blogspot.com/2010/01/round-in-circles-scarf.html

more decorative than warmth

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.67984]

>>67960
I think it would be possible, but maybe risky. In my experience, unraveling only goes one way. If you're going to fasten tassels onto it, it would probably be enough to stop any unraveling.
Or, if you're confident enough, you could unravel all of it and start over. It kind of sounds like a waste of time to do that, though.

[Anonymous No.68157]

Bumping with the scarf I finished last week. I made it for a craft exchange. Luckily there's enough yarn to make a second one so I'm making one for myself now. It was the hardest thing I've made yet but I've learned a lot, kb, using 2 circular needles at the same time for a tube (also used for making socks).

[Anonymous No.68159]

>>67960
Don't do this. Just pull the yarn and start over. Trust me, you will be happier that way.

making >>68157
I started over about 6 times before my knitting was consistent enough to not look like shit, but I was happy with the end product instead of ashamed. Also, never cut if you can pull, it's a waste. No you cannot pull from the start, only from your last stitch.

[milkweed !O4ZIvabILw No.68338]

>>68157
That's lovely.