Knit a Potato Chip Scarf - Flutter Scarf

Flutter Scarf in Mongolian Cashmere, 2 Ply from Jade Sapphire.  I used the color Candy Girl.  - Free Pattern is below.  Want more ruffles?  Check out my Amazing Curly Scarf!

Potato Chip scarf, spiral scarf, ruffle scarf - whatever you call it, this scarf is girly and cute.  The first time I saw this type of scarf was in a yarn shop in New Jersey a couple of years ago.  I was looking at it, trying to figure out how it was done.  The shop owner said it was done with short rows.  I had only briefly played with short rows at that point, and wasn't really that sure how to knit something using short rows. I was afraid to ask, and too cheap to purchase the pattern.  I have now sort of figured out short rows, and came up with this scarf.

There are many ways to make a potato chip scarf.  Below I have some links so you can see some of the different methods - they are really all very similar and produce a scarf that looks like mine.

Knitting short rows creates wedges, which in turn creates the ruffles, or waves, or potato chips on the scarf.  This scarf does spiral, but not quite as much as the Amazing Curly Scarf pattern I posted a while back.  I did not wrap my stitches before turning, however you may do so if you like.  You can find more info on short rows and wrapping and turning here if you don't know how.  

For my scarf, I started out by knitting a small number of stitches, then worked up to a larger number before knitting all the way across to work the other side.  I left one stitch up the middle which is only knit on the full row - it is left unworked as I knit the wedges on the sides.  Some patterns use over lapping wedges, others do not have a middle, unworked stitch.  Some start out working more stitches and then wind down to a fewer number before the full row.  I recommend playing around and trying different methods to see what you like in whichever yarn you choose to use.  Keep in mind that your ruffles will not appear right away - you will be a good several inches in on the scarf before you begin to see the ruffles.   And, when you bind off, the scarf will shape itself to match the cast on edge.  I like to refer to the edges as bows, because that's what they look like to me.

LINKS

Rustic Potato Chip Scarf
Potato Chip Scarf
Helix Scarf



Here is a video to give you the general idea of knitting potato chip scarves.  Enjoy!

How to Knit a Scarf

Extreme Pastels Scarf pattern below

Also check out my other scarf patterns.  Video tutorials on each scarf.

Free Patterns:
 Flutter Scarf (a potato chip scarf) 
Amazing Curly Scarf (a spiral/corkscrew scarf)
Lacy Ruffle Scarf 

Available for Purchase:
Quite Contrary Scarf

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.

 There are many cast ons - use which ever cast on you like.  Long tail cast on is one of the most common ones.  Backward Loop is also common, or you can even do a knitted 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.