Simple Knit Scarf Pattern

This simple knit scarf pattern is my all time favorite because it's in plain Stockinette stitch and it isn't curling. 

It was really fun to knit too because it's a little different. I'm sure many experienced knitters have done this before. 

However I want to give beginner knitters another alternative for knitting a scarf in Stockinette stitch that won't curl.  

And this is a fun scarf knitting solution to try. It's a knitted tube scarf. 

Knit scarf

Sometimes I just want a nice, warm plain knit scarf in super soft yarn.  And most of all I don't want to worry about it curling up.

This has to be my favorite scarf.  And I was using it a lot through our long cold winter. It's super cozy and warm. 

The fun thing about this simple scarf knitting pattern is that it's made on circular knitting needles. And you'll be knitting a scarf in the round. 

This is great if you're new to circular knitting and want to practice and honestly, it's a lot easier than you think, in fact it's so simple and fun to knit.

All you'll be doing is knitting a long tube and then flattening it. Read on and I'll give you all the details.

Types of Yarn To Use For This Knit Scarf 

Knit scarf pattern

Use any yarn you'd like up to and including a worsted (medium) weight.  

When you knit this scarf you'll be flattening it so a bulky yarn may be too heavy and awkward. 

Fingering weight (sock yarn), DK weight, Sport weight and Worsted weight yarns will be good choices for this scarf knitting project.  

And you might also like to choose a lovely self striping yarn too.

Make sure to read the yarn label for a suggested needle size for that yarn. Click on the link if you'd like to double check what to look for on a yarn label.

If you decide to use up yarns that you have on hand you might have fun using this nifty stripe generator to give you ideas about where to place them.


Choosing Circular Needles For Your Scarf

We're all used to choosing the right diameter which gives us the stitch size right? 

In fact you'll probably need something like a US 5 (3.75 mm) to US 9 (5.5mm) depending on the yarn weight you choose.

That's still important. However since you'll be knitting in the round you'll need to be aware of the length of the circular needle you're using as well.

I recommend either 12 inches long or 16 inches long. You decide which you would prefer.  

What you'll do is cast on enough stitches to go around whichever length you choose.  

Here's A Recap Before You Start Knitting

  • Choose your favorite knitting yarn, some nice self striping yarn would be fun to use (fingering, DK, sport or worsted weight yarn)
  • Check the yarn label for a suggested needle size (for instance worsted weight you'll need size US 7 - US 9)
  • Decide which circular knitting needle length you want to use - 12 inches or 16 inches long
  • Purchase your fixed circular knitting needles (the package tells you the length as well as the diameter of your needles)

How To Cast On Stitches For Knitting In The Round

I thought I'd show you how to cast on for knitting in the round.  You'll need enough stitches to go right around the circular needle.

For instance I used a 16 inch long circular and cast on 100 stitches. This is what it looks like.

Knit scarf cast on

Make sure all the stitches are facing inward with no twists. And make sure you have enough stitches on your needle so you can knit comfortably.

Sometimes it helps to lay everything down on a table so you can adjust the stitches.

Make sure none of your stitches look like the picture below. 


Knit scarf cast on

Some of the stitches are twisted in this photo. Make sure to straighten them out so they're all facing one way like the first photo. 

If you start knitting with the stitches twisted this way you won't be able to fix it and you'll have to start over.  

When you're stitches are all straightened out pop on a marker to mark the beginning of your round and you're all ready to go.

Place marker for scarf knitting pattern

Now you're ready to knit.  You'll take the right needle in your right hand and start knitting into the stitches on the left needle. 

That's all it means when you join for knitting in the round.  You'll just keep knitting around and around until you reach the length you want for your scarf.

Below you'll find the knitting instructions for my knit scarf.  Feel free to experiment though.  

Knit Scarf Pattern Details

Knit Scarf

Skills Required:  Knitting in the round, joining new yarn, casting on and binding off

Gauge: Not important

Knit Scarf Size:  10 inches wide and 60 inches long

Materials: Yarn:  3 skeins - Cascade Pacific yarn, color beet and 2 skeins Caron Simply Soft, color off white tweeds. 

Circular Knitting Needles: US 9 (5.5mm), 16 inches long  

Note:  You may find a row counter handy for this knitting project. Or a pen and paper to mark your rows.


If you'd like to download my knit scarf pattern click here


Simple Knit Scarf Pattern

You'll be using two colors so color A = red and color B = white

With color A cast on 100 stitches.  Place marker at beginning of round and follow the stripe sequence below. 

Simple Knit Scarf Stripe Sequence 

Simply start with color A in first column and work your way down.  Then work your way down the second column. If you'd like to make your scarf longer just start over again at round 1.

So to begin you'll use color A and knit 26 rounds, then you'll add color B and knit 14 rounds, then continue down the column.  

Rnd 1 Color A. Knit 26 rounds

Color B. Knit 14 rounds

Color A. Knit 3 rounds

Color B. Knit 8 rounds

Color A. Knit 18 rounds

Color B. Knit 5 rounds

Color A. Knit 17 rounds

Color B. Knit 2 rounds

Color A. Knit 3 rounds

Color B. Knit 4 rounds

Color A. Knit 3 rounds

Color B. Knit 3 rounds

Color A. Knit 4 rounds

Color B. Knit 4 rounds

Color A. Knit 20 rounds

Color B. Knit 13 rounds

Color A. Knit 20 rounds

Color B. Knit 4 rounds

Color A. Knit 7 rounds

Color B. Knit 3 rounds

Color A. Knit 4 rounds

Color B. Knit 4 rounds

Color A. Knit 2 rounds

Color B. Knit 13 rounds

Color A. Knit 23 rounds

Color B. Knit 4 rounds

Color A. Knit 7 rounds

Color B. Knit 2 rounds

Color A. Knit 7 rounds

Color B. Knit 7 rounds

Color A. Knit 17 rounds

Color B. Knit 4 rounds

Color A. Knit 13 rounds

Color B. Knit 7 rounds

Color A. Knit 20 rounds

Color B. Knit 3 rounds

Color A. Knit 8 rounds

Color B Knit 2 rounds

Color A. Knit 3 rounds

Color B. Knit 2 rounds

Rnd 41 Color A. Knit 2 rounds

When you reach the length you want bind off all stitches.

Finish:  Turn your scarf inside out and weave in ends.  

Once your finished weaving in the ends, you can seam both ends of your scarf.  Or if you're going to add fringe to the ends the fringe will close the ends nicely.

I found a great knitting video to show you how to add fringe to your lovely knit scarf

Adding Fringe Knitting Video


Happy Knitting!

Upcycle Yarns coming soon to knitpicks.com

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