Pattern

Garter Stitch Cowl Scarf Pattern

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My Garter Stitch Cowl Scarf is an easy and simple knit that’s great for the beginner knitter and fun for the more advanced as well.  Knit it up in an afternoon and stay cozy in those cold winter months.  The garment is knit flat and then seamed; however, if you’d like to knit it in the round, just modify garter stitch for knitting in the round.  You can wear it long or double it up for a chunky cowl.

Materials
US 17 (12mm) 40″ circular knitting needles
3 Skeins Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick yarn or another super bulky weight yarn (1 skein = 6 0zs/170g/108yds/98m). Color pictured in Lemongrass.
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Measurements
About 8 inches wide and 56 inches in circumference

Gauge
7.5 stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches (note that gauge isn’t that important when knitting a scarf)

Instructions (for knitting flat)
Cast on 100 stitches
Row 1: K
Row 2: K
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 8 inches or desired length (note that this is the width of the scarf).
Bind off loosely and seam the two ends together.

Instructions (for knitting in round)
Cast on 100 stitches and join in the round with a marker to denote beginning/end of round, being careful not to twist.
Row 1: K
Row 2: P
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 8 inches or desired length (note that this is the width of the scarf).
Bind off loosely.

 

Garter Stitch Cowl Scarf Pattern
Garter Stitch Cowl Scarf Pattern

 

Tutorials

How to Seam Garter Stitch

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This tutorial teaches you how to seam the garter stitch with an almost invisible seam on the right side of your garment.  This is great for knitting cowls or hats that you’d rather knit flat than in the round.  My Garter Stitch Cowl Scarf is a great knit and it works up even faster if you knit it flat and then seam the edges together.

Step 1: Finish off your bind off and cut the yarn, leaving about 10-12 inches to use to seam up the side.  Thread the needle and line up the ridges to the garment is even.

How to Seam the Garter Stitch

Step 2: Now you need to join both garter stitch sides.  Pull your needle through the last stitch on one side and the other side.

How to Seam the Garter Stitch

Step 3:  Make sure you line the pieces up so the top ridges and bottom ridges are even.  Start by going up through a top ridge near the edge on your left side and pulling the yarn through.

How to Seam the Garter Stitch

Step 4:  Now, pull your needle through the bottom ridge on outside most stitch on the right side.

How to Seam the Garter Stitch

Continue Steps 3 and 4, all of the way to the top of the garment.  When you get to the top, pull the needle through the top of the left and right side.

How to Seam the Garter Stitch

And pull the yarn through the top part of the right side. Pull the yarn, being careful not to pull too tight.  Tie off.

How to Seam the Garter Stitch

This method creates a beautiful invisible seam on the right side.  On the wrong side, you’ll see a small seam.

How to Seam the Garter Stitch

This method is great to use for my Garter Stitch Cowl Scarf.

Garter Stitch Cowl Scarf

 

Tutorials

How to Make Fringe

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Adding fringe to a knitted or crocheted garment can add a ton of personality and help make a big statement.  It’s great for knitted shawls, cowls, and scarves (check out my Farrow Stitch Scarf Pattern).  Making fringe is quite simple.  Follow these steps to add bit of fringe to your finished pieces.

Step 1: Measure how long you want the fringe to hang and double that length.  This is how long you will need to cut each strand of yarn for the fringe.  Cut the number of pieces of yarn you need to complete the fringe using that length .

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Step 2: Fold one piece (or however many pieces you’d like to weave through at a time) in half and pull through the edge of the garment.

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Step 3.  Pull the ends through the loop.

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Step 4:  Pull yarn tight.

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Repeat Steps 2-4 all across the garment.

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Tutorials

Knitting: How to Bind Off

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Finishing your work by binding off in knitting is a simple process.  The key is to make sure to bind loose enough so that your work has enough stretch but not too loose that it looks sloppy.

Step 1: Knit 2 stitches.  Keep those stitches on the right needle.

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Step 2: Take the left needle and put it through the first stitch on the right needle.

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Step 3: With the left needle, pull the first stitch on the right needle over the second stitch on that same needle.

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Step 4: Take the left needle out of the first stitch and the first stitch is now bound off.

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Knit the next stitch and repeat Steps 2-4 across the work.

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When you get to the last stitch, take the needle out, but about 5 inches of extra yarn, and weave the end of the yarn through the open loop.

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Pull tight and weave the end through the work.

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Knit Stitches · Pattern

Farrow Stitch Scarf Pattern

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This scarf is an easy knit for beginner knitters and can be enjoyed by the more advanced as well.  This free knit pattern uses the Farrow Stitch, a great reversible stitch with an interesting texture, creating a but of a unique look by simply using a variation of knit and purl stitches.

Materials
US 15 (10mm) knitting needles
3 Skeins Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick yarn or another super bulky weight yarn (1 skein = 6 0zs/170g/108yds/98m)
Scissors

Measurements
About 6.5 inches wide and 80 inches long

Gauge
12 stitches and 14 rows = 4 inches (note that gauge isn’t that important when knitting a scarf)

Instructions
Cast on 19 stitches
Row 1: (K2, P1) to the last stitch, K1
Row 2: P1, (K2, P1) to the end
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 80 inches or desired length.
Bind off and attach 7 groups of fringe to the ends

Knit Stitches · Knitting for Beginners · Tutorials

How to Knit the Farrow Stitch

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farrow knit stitch
farrow knit stitch

The farrow knit stitch is an easy and reversible knit stitch that combines a simple combination of knit and purl stitches for a great textured look.  It’s great to knit scarves and blankets because it creates a thick garment.  It’s a great stitch for beginner knitters and a fun stitch for the more advanced.

Cast on in multiples of 3 + 1 stitches
Row 1: (K2, P1) to the last stitch, K1
Row 2: P1, (K2, P1) to the end

Knit Stitches · Tutorials

How to Knit the Seed Stitch

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How to Knit the Seed Stitch
Seed Stitch

The seed stitch or moss stitch creates a great texture great for almost any garment.  If you know how to knit and purl, you’ll easily be able to conquer this stitch.  It’s a great stitch for beginning knitters and can be enjoyed by the more advanced as well.  This popular knit stitch is made by switching between knit stitches and purl stitches and alternating the stitches between rows.  It creates a look that resembles many seeds, hence the name seed stitch.

Knit Flat (with two needles)
Cast on an even number of stitches
Row 1: *K1, P1, repeat from * to end
Row 2: *K1, P1, repeat from * to end

Knit in the Round (circular needle)
Cast on an even number of stitches
Row 1: *K1, P1, repeat from * to end
Row 2: *P1, K1, repeat from * to end

Knit Stitches · Tutorials

How to Knit the Garter Stitch

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How to Knit the Garter Stitch
Garter Stitch

The garter stitch is one of the most common stitches in knitting.  It’s easy to knit and creates a classic look that’s popular in cowls, scarves, and sweaters.  It’s a great first stitch if you’re a beginner knitter and can still be enjoyed by those who are more experienced.

Knit Flat (2 knitting needles)
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Knit
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you’ve reached your desired length

Knit in the Round (circular needle)
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you’ve reached your desired length