The 12 Scarves of Christmas!

I was wondering, what is the best way to knit scarves in time for Chirstmas? Right now I am using a size 11 American needles and a soft self striping yarn. ( I am not planning to use the yarn for all the scarves though. Only 2!) What is the best size needle for me to use and what kind of yarn? I was also wondering if anyone has any patterns that work — For the adult scarves I was using an elongated stitch but then I thought that maybe it wasn’t the best stitch to keep warm. I need to get these scarves done before Christmas Eve, so any sugestions would be helpful! Thanks :knitting:

P.S. I am slowly kind of creating my own pattern. I am using no specific one right now.

If I were going to do that many scarves, I would have to use multiple patterns to keep from getting bored. You may want to mix it up a bit. What fiber and weight of yarn are you using? Good luck with the scarves!

Hey Megan, what a great idea for Christmas gifts! If I were doing a project like this, I would scope out sale yarn at my favorite yarn shop and purchase enough to make all the scarves. Then I would settle in with my size 13 or larger needles and do a pattern something like this…

Cast on 15 or 20

Garter stitch (knit every row) for 15 or 20 rows

Stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) for 15 or 20 rows

Continue alternating between garter and stockinette to make sections roughly the same size but don’t fret about a row or two difference

End with a garter stitch section when yarn is gone or scarf is long enough.

This works great with a yarn like Lion Brand Homespun and you can get a good length scarf from one skein.

Doing the alternating sections of garter and stockinette makes it so that the edges won’t curl up like what happens with just stockinette.

You’ll have busy fingers until Christmas! Go for it!

MGM

Anything you make with big needles is going to go pretty fast. This is one of my favorite scarves for being easy and pretty. She used smaller needles, but I bet it’s beautiful with bigger ones, too.
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2006/10/12/one_row_handspun_scarf.html

Here’s a few more that use larger needles.






http://imagiknit.com/?p=60

@Jan:
that first scarf that you linked is just awesome. My apprentice here at the office is a relatively new knitter and wants to make a scarf. She can knit, she can purl and will have to built some endurance.

@megan:

I like scarf with end pieces, meaning: make a complicated pattern (Any you like and consider fitting) and make about a handspan of that. Then continue plain, e.g. garter stitch or stochinette stitch with garter stitch edges (or maybe you can run your pattern as an edging?) or ribbing for example 2 by 2 or 1 by 1 or 3 by 3… Then when you are almost done, repeat the end section once again for the same length.

That makes a great and especially quick scarf. And it is a great way to use a new pattern stitch that might drive you nuts for the whole length but will be nice for just those 2 little bits.

My favorite for a scarf of that style that shall go as a quick but effective gift would be:

  • [B]faux rib [/B]
    (RS row: knit purl to the end (I recommend ending in knit) WS row: purl all - it mainly does not have a wrong side then) Then continue in st st with an edging of 5 stitches on each side (or 3 if you like) of this (and I recommend one stitch in rev st st to set it appart from the st st

  • [B]a cable pattern[/B]…

Either do a cable on garter stitch background of a series of cable crossings then continune in garter. Maybe put a cable pattern in the middle again?
You may want to look into reversible cables to create a nice backside since it will show. That is not hard. Just google a bit.

a cable looks great, too when you cross the ribs of ribbing (not just crossing 2 strands but 3). I may make it to take a picture of the scarf I made for my husband last spring. That is made like that and was just wipped up on a friends shopping receipt one morning :slight_smile:

  • [B]a stitch on its own[/B]:

for example raspberry stitch, bamboo stitch and the like. lace… whatever. Just browse for patterns.

Heringbone for men’s scarfs for example (I don’t know who will get the gifts), or that pattern Jan showed in the first link.

Some patterns will look vastly different from the bottom edge then from the top. If you chose a pattern like that, then it is smart to make 2 pieces, each beginning with the pattern section and running to the middle of the scarf - don’t cast off. Then use kitchener stitch to connect them. No one will ever see that!

  • [B]a lace edge[/B]:

if you do a lace edge (one that creates a wavy border) and just continue straight, that is quick and very girly if you let it :slight_smile:

  • [B]stripes the “other way”[/B]

A funny self knit scarf has stripes running the length of the scarf.

Just cast on as many stitches as you need for the length of the scarf (yes, that is a lot of stitches).

knit in plain garter stitch, that is enough for this.

change color randomly, maybe use one self striping yarn together with other solid color yarns… and so on. just knit about 5 to 6 inches up. And there is your scarf.

Don’t fear the project: the amount of stitches is the same a knitting the short rows!

-[B] a neckwarmer: [/B]

not every scarf needs to be long. Check into neck warmers.

all scarfs can be decorated with beads, tassels, pompons and the like. That will make the patterns look very different, too.

I guess, you make the scarfs for people that partially or all know each other. So it might be good if they were very different to show off a rainbow of knitting skills instead of just a mind set of endurance.

the good thing with all this, too, is: any yarn with matching needles will do.
I guess, that is more ideas than scarfs I ever made myself. But you should find 12 ambitious projects to make until x-mas.
Let us see your progress, will you? I would like to know which ones you do.

If you want more inspiration: www.garnstudio.com has a bunch in “Accessory” - they are all for free and well explained.

One year I knit/crocheted 8 scarves for Christmas… To keep myself interested, I used a variety of colors and weights and textures of yarn. I did a fuzzy yarn scarf knit in stripes lengthwise. I used Lang Tosca to make a ruffle edged scarf. In general, though, I focused on finding pretty yarns and interesting textures (no two-color scarves in this batch), and I did take advantage of the bulky and super-bulky yarns that knit up more quickly. (Lion Brand Wool Ease Super Bulky is very nice to work with.)

One of my favorite stitches to use in a scarf it a double seed stitch (sometimes called a moss stitch). The pattern shows up nicely in wool or acryllic - nothing too fuzzy.

Hi Megan! Looks like you’ll be the “knittin’ fool” between now and Christmas. You’ve gotten a lot of great pattern ideas and advise. I too recommend that you mix your patterns, yarns, colors etc. as you go along so you don’t get mind boggling bored working on the same thing hour after hour. Over the last couple of holidays I knit several scarf sets and always had at least two going at the same time…sick of working on one? Pick up the other. Kinda wakes your brain up too.:sleepy:

One way I might be able to help you is that I’ve got 3 skeins of bulky yarn that you can have. I happened to think of your thread the other day when I was looking at my stash of yarn. I bought this because I loved the feel and the colors in it, but to tell you the truth I’m just not crazy about knitting with bulky yarn and large needles. It just sits there and I KNOW I’ll never use it.(Wouldn’t bother posting in the Buy, Sell, Swap section.)

Here’s what it is: Coats and Clark MODA.DEA Tweedle Dee Shaded Effect Yarn. Contents:80% acrylic, 16% wool, 4% other fibers. Color:Surf and Turf, (shades of soft blues with a tweedie touch?). 155 yds per skeins, (I have 3).Of course bulky wt. They recommend US size 11 needles, but I bet 13’s would work too. Think it would knit up fast and be lovely in even a very simple pattern. Anyway if you’re interested let me know here or send me a PM and I can get your mailing address etc.,and also answer any other questions you might have. Your profile doesn’t say where you live, (neither does mine yet:aww:), but I live in Rockwall, TX. Right NE of Dallas. Hope to hear back from you! Jeanie

Hi! Me again!
Oops…I miscounted. Have 4 skeins of that yarn not 3. Jeanie

Hi guys! Thanks for the help! I was also wondering, What’s the best type of yarn to ue for this kind of thing? :shrug: I don’t know what to use! I am kind of on a budget, (so the 8 dollar small skein wouldn’t work to well:)). Cheaper yarn is more my taste anyway…BUT back to the point. Up here in Ohio, we have Michael’s caft store and JoAnn Fabrics. We also shop at WalMart for fabrics, yarn, needles, yadayadayada. So, is Ebay good for yarn? Or where should I go? Thanks a lot!

—Meg :notworthy:

Hi, Megan! :waving:

Every year I knit up a bunch of these scarves for friends, family and folks in the community who just want to stay warm! In fact, I just finished my first five for the season. (They only take me a few hours to complete) They’re lightweight, super warm and so pretty! Everyone who has one loves it and generally requests others for their friends.

I use only Lion Brand Homespun yarn. One skein makes one perfectly sized scarf. The price has gone up to over $7 a skein but you can still get it on sale for around $5.

Using size 15 needles and working with two strands of Homespun, cast on 12 stitches. Work loosely in garter stitch (all knit stitches) until you have about a yard of yarn left. Bind off and weave in ends.

I take the strand of yarn that comes out of the center pull ball and then hold it together with the yarn that comes off around the outside to get my double strand from the same skein. This works well once you get used to manipulating it and you have the added advantage of knowing all the scarves will be the same size.

One year, for the ones I did for the community, I wrapped the scarves in clear cellophane wrap that I got at the dollar store and then used some really pretty wired ribbon that I found on sale at Michael’s. This made a really nice package and folks could see through the cellophane to pick whatever color appealed to them. These were VERY well received. I’ve worn mine for about three winters now and it’s still soft and warm and comfortable!

Good luck. And happy knitting!

Ruthie :hug:

Megan!!! I’m giving you the yarn FREE! And I’ll pay the postage. Are you interested now? You’ve got so much ahead of you. Just thought my little bit would help out. Let me know. Jeanie

Hi Guys! thanks for all the help! Love it! Hi KittyKins! Um, as of [I]right now[/I], I really don’t need that yarn…but thanks for the offer! (Actually, my parents would NOT be happy with me if I was soliciting over the internet :slight_smile: Thanks for the offer though! ) But it does sound intriguing free and all! Thanks though! If I need anything I’ll know who to contact :slight_smile:

Thanks to all again:) Help is great and I LOVE THIS SITE!

My fingers are busy from now until Christmas! Thanks guys and gals~Megan :knitting:

Hey Megan, the yarn will be here if you change your mind. It’s just taking up space in my little yarn corner.Keep those needles flyin’!:knitting: Jeanie

I use a size 10 us needle and here is my favorite scarf pattern.

Its super easy especially for a new knitter it works up in a nice lacy pattern. I’ve knit a few for men and even they seemed to enjoy them. “its so warm and snuggly/cuddly”

Hi!
When I was in the US last, I found great yarns at JoAnn’s for these purposes.

They had “one Pounder” skeins (don’t ask the brand name right now) of a relatively thick yarn that will make thick scarfs (synthetic).

And I bought the Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool. A little scratchy but wonderfuly dense in the knitting (it would also felt) and keeps warm. My husband actually chose it in brown and got hat and scarf from it. He loves them.

Both were really good prices. Don’t ask the exact price but I think one was 5 $ and the other 8$ or so. The internet or the JoAnn’s will answer that question quickly enough.

I am happy with both yarns for their own purposes.