My latest pattern is now available for purchase! This is a potato chip scarf, with an extra touch - eyelets along the edges where the scarf ruffles. SORRY PATTERN NO LONGER AVAILABLE
This is knit with one skein of Patons Lace yarn on US Size 7 needles. I used the color Bonfire, but this will look great in any of the other colors.
All you need to know for this scarf is knit, purl, yarn over, and short rows. (There is no wrapping with these short rows, although you could if you want to) If you need help with any of these, I have videos on my YouTube channel that you can watch.
Amazing Curly Scarf - free pattern below. Want less ruffles? Check out my Potato Chip Flutter Scarf!
I've knit a few spiral scarves over the years, and they remain one of my favorite knits. How cool is it that your fabric begins to spiral right before your eyes as you bind off? And the best part - it is so easy to do!
Also called a corkscrew or potato chip scarf, you can use just about any yarn and needle size you like. The secret, or trick, to making your scarf spiral is in the increase rows. That's it!
I do recommend using at least a 32 inch circular needle - you will start out with relatively few stitches and in the end will have hundreds, or even 1,000 stitches that need to fit comfortably on your needles.
All you have to do is cast on a certain number of stitches, let's say 100. Knit two or three rows; then you will do an increase row to double the number of stitches you started with. Simply knit into the front and back of each stitch (you could even make YOs if you don't like knitting into the front and back of your stitches) - so if you started with 100 stitches, after the increase row you will have 200. No need to count to make sure you have exactly double the number. A few more or less isn't going to make much of a difference.
Now, knit some more plain rows - however many you knit before, whether it be two or three. The most I have used between increase rows is three, so while I am sure you could do more, I can't vouch for the looks of the scarf in doing so or the effect this would have on the spiral.
Do another increase row, again doubling the number of stitches on your needles.
Continue in this manner until you have roughly 800-1,000 stitches. I say roughly, because the needle size and weight of yarn you use will affect how long your scarf ends up being. A word of warning though - do remember that as you increase the number of stitches, the length of your scarf will also increase. One of the first spiral scarves I knit ended up with close to 2,000 stitches, and was about 12 feet long. That is much too long for most folks!! Obviously, if you are using a lace weight yarn and small needles, you will need more stitches to get an appropriate length on your scarf; if you are using a larger needle and bulkier yarn, you won't need quite as many stitches.
When you are ready, bind off. I usually knit one row less than I knit between the increase rows, so for example if you were knitting two rows between increases, knit one row and then bind off. You can use any bind off you like. Ta-Da! You now have a spiral scarf. (Is this scarf too curly/ruffly for you? Maybe you will like the Flutter Scarf instead)
Below is a video in which I knit the above scarf. If you would like to knit the same, go here.
If you are new to knitting, you may be wondering how to knit a scarf. Scarves are good beginner projects, because you generally don't need to worry about gauge - something which often confuses newbies. Scarves can be knit as long as you want, as wide as you want, as skinny as you want. You can use any yarn you like, any needle size, and any stitch pattern. It can be simple, such as garter stitch, or something more complicated like lace.
Even though a scarf is a simple project, all of the options can be overwhelming. If you aren't ready to go it alone, there are more scarf patterns available on the web than you can shake a knitting needle at. If you would like to design your own, here are a few steps to get you started.
Find a stitch pattern you like. There are many web sites with stitch patterns if you don't own any stitch pattern books. The Weekly Stitch has a new stitch pattern posted each week, most with a video demonstration of the stitch.
Choose your yarn and needles. If you aren't sure of which needle to use for you yarn, check the ball band and start with the recommend size. While you don't have to swatch first, you certainly can if you like; you can decide from there if you like how the fabric looks, and if you'd like to make a denser fabric then try a needle size smaller than the one recommended. If you'd like something looser and airy, shoot for a larger needle size. Also, a swatch can tell you how wide your scarf will be. Myself, I just guesstimate and don't worry about it. Obviously, what type of yarn and needle size you use will affect the width. Finer yarn will require more stitches, and heavier weight yarn will require less.
Once you have your yarn, needles and stitch pattern you are ready to cast on.
Begin knitting your scarf; keep going until it is as long as you want it to be. Now you can cast off, or bind off. Use any bind off you like. The standard knit bind off will do fine, but of course there are many different bind offs. If you like to purl, you can try the standard purl bind off, or if you crochet perhaps the single crochet bind off will feel most comfortable for you.
If you have knit your scarf with wool or another animal fiber, you may want to block it before wearing it. Blocking is not required, but can open up your stitches and give the scarf a more finished look. You can always add fringe to your scarf if you like! Now you are ready to wear your new scarf!
Scarves are a good way to use up left over yarns; you can use several strands at once, or just knit with one until you run out and then begin with another. The scarf above was knit with four strands of yarn on large needles. I wanted to use up some scrap yarn, as well as get it done fast.
