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what size needles do i need for knitting a scarf

by Jacynthe Willms Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

If you are a tight knitter, use bigger needles (size 17) or if you are a loose knitter, use smaller needles (size 15). Use whatever size needle it takes so that you make a scarf that is 4 inches to 4.5 inches wide (not wider). You can also adjust the number of stitches to keep your scarf within this size range.

The larger the yarn and the lighter the color, the easier it will be to see your stitches. You will also need size 13 US (9 mm) knitting needles or whatever size creates the gauge you want. It is also helpful to have a crochet hook. It is easier to weave in the ends of bulky yarn with a hook rather than a needle.May 12, 2020

Full Answer

Is it hard to knit a scarf with small needles?

Not if you’re a beginner. Not only will it take light years to finish your scarf, but lighter yarns require smaller needles. And smaller needles are, in general, harder to control. So make things easy for yourself and choose a yarn that’s at least a medium weight if not larger.

What size knitting needles do I Need?

Bigger needles create a looser stitch; smaller needles, a tighter one. Choose the size according to your desired look. For worsted weight yarn, size 8 to 10 needles are normally used.

How many stitches are needed to knit a scarf?

Several different stitches are needed to knit a scarf, but many are used with U.S. size nine and seven needles along with two or three 50-gram skeins of yarn. Scarves don't have to be a particular length or width to be successful. For your first scarf, you can knit until you run out of yarn or get tired of knitting the garter stitch.

How do I know what size yarn to use for a scarf?

The weight of the yarn you're using for your scarf is the first major concern. Raise your hand if you know what gauge is; yarn weight is largely determined by gauge, which tells you how many stitches per inch knitting with the yarn will yield for you. Two different yarn lines in the same weight will often have a slightly different gauge.

Which knitting stitch is best for a scarf?

2×2 RIB STITCH PATTERN. The 2×2 Rib Stitch is a bit thicker and is great for knitting scarves, hats, blankets, and more! This 2-Row Repeat Pattern is perfect to knit up a chunky scarf.

How many stitches should you knit for a scarf?

To determine how many stitches you will need to cast on, take your (gauge per inch) x (total width in inches) and the total will be the number of stitches needed for your scarf. This means you will need to cast on 36 stitches when working with a gauge of 4.5 per inch in order to get a scarf that is 8 inches wide.

What size knitting needles should I use?

Medium sizes are generally the best for beginners. This means you should look for a width size of six (4mm), seven (4.5mm), or eight (5mm). For length, a 10-inch needle is usually a good starter size because they'll be small enough to handle easily.

How many rows should a scarf be?

To measure, place the knitting on a flat surface, place the measuring tape under the needle, and measure down to the cast-on edge. Work the 6 rows of the pattern stitch. These are the rows that form the ridges at each end of the scarf. Repeat rows 9 and 10 until the knitting measures 6 inches from the cast-on edge.

What is the best width for a knitted scarf?

When it comes to the width of your knitted scarf, it's a matter of preference. The average width of a knitted scarf can range from 4.5” (11 cm) wide to 8” (20 cm) wide. Any wider and you cross over into Lenny Kravitz land. For this easy scarf knitting pattern, I'll stay within the 5-6 inch range.

What size needles for a chunky scarf?

Around 7 - 8 mmWhat size needles should I use for chunky wool? A pattern using chunky wool will generally need large needles. Around 7 - 8 mm is average, while 5.5 - 6 mm will give you a tighter fabric. Super chunky wool, which is ideal for making a very thick blanket, will need even bigger needles.

Does needle size matter knitting?

Why Does Size Matter? The size of the needle affects the length of the stitches and thus your finished product. The concept of gauge, or how many stitches fit into 1 inch of knitting, relies heavily on the size of the needles.

How do you start knitting a scarf?

3:0016:15How to Knit a Scarf for Beginners // TUTORIAL! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipProject. So i'm going to again grab my yarn twist my finger. And add that onto my needle. And i'mMoreProject. So i'm going to again grab my yarn twist my finger. And add that onto my needle. And i'm going to keep doing this until i have as many stitches as i.

What size needle do you use for socks?

The sock sneaks up on all us knitters at some point. Most socks are knit using a size 1 or 2 needle, but you can also find sock patterns that are designed for heavier non-sock yarns. In addition to socks, you can knit up beautiful shawls using sock-weight yarn and these small needles.

What needles do I use for knitting socks?

I love the Clover Takumi Bamboo 5in Double Point Knitting Needles for knitting socks because the short length of the needles means you spend less time pushing your work around on the needles and more time actually knitting. Plus, the bamboo helps the yarn grip the needle so that the yarn doesn’t slip off unexpectedly.

What is super bulky weight yarn?

Super bulky weight is fun to work with, and it’s not just because it knits up quickly. You can experiment with textures like cables that will really stand out when they’re knit up in a super bulky fiber. Imagine a super bulky weight blanket that features a beautiful cable wrapping down the center or even a hat knit up in a basic seed stitch. The super bulky weight yarn, combined with large knitting needles, will make any stitch stand out.

What is jumbo knitting needle?

Make way for thick knits! Jumbo is the newest yarn weight category and uses the biggest knitting needles of all. If you’re working with a small project that isn’t too heavy or wide, the Lion Brand Scarf Knitting Needles are a nice choice. These needles are made of plastic, keeping them lightweight and easy to wield.

What is chunky yarn?

Bulky or chunky weight yarn is famous for being a quick knit. You can use practically any knitting needle type for this yarn, but keep in mind that if you’re working with something large, those long circular needles will be a lifesaver for holding all the weight of the project. 7.

Do yarn labels have gauges?

Yarn labels always include a gauge, as well as a recommended knitting needle size that you can use as a starting point. You might find that you knit tighter or looser than the gauge given; in that case, you’ll need to change your needle size. 6.

Can you use sport weight yarn for knitting?

While not as thin as sock yarn, sport-weight yarn can still use those tinier knitting needles that might cause your hands to cramp up. Straight needles work well for this size if you’re working with a light-weight flat project, but opt for those longer circulars if your project is heavy.

What size needles should I use for knitting a scarf?

For this scarf, I recommend you to get some good quality wool for needles size 15 (no blend, but 100% sheep wool) in your favorite color. I used Malabrigo Rasta in this tutorial.

How to knit a scarf in a row?

Row 1: Knit every stitch in the knit stitch. Turn the workaround once you reach the end of your row and remember to bring the yarn to the back! Row 2: Knit every stitch. Continue working in Garter Stitch (that’s how the pattern is called when you knit every stitch as a knit stitch) until your scarf is around 1.6 yards long.

How to knit a sleeve?

Step 2: Now you have to stitches on your right needle. Lift the second stitch (the one father to the right) over the first one and drop it off the end of the needle. Now there’s only one stitch left. Step 3: Knit another stitch (two stitches on the right needle again)

How to knit a row 1 and 2?

The basic knit stitch has 4 easy steps and requires you to hold the yarn in the back. Step 1: Insert the needle from left to right. Step 2: Wrap the yarn around the needle counter-clockwise.

What is the easiest knitting stitch to knit?

Scarfs are one of the easiest and most fun knitting projects for beginners. In this tutorial, I’m going to show you step by step how to knit a big chunky scarf, even if you never knitted a single stitch. This will be a simple scarf in the easiest knitting stitch known as the Garter Stitch (because it doesn’t curl)

How to add yarn to a scarf?

You can easily add them by cutting strands of yarn double the length you want them to be long, and then tying them to the scarf with a simple cow hitch knot. I usually attach them to the last row of stitches. A crochet hook or the tapestry needle can help you to push the yarn through the loops.

How long does it take to knit a scarf?

It will take you between 4-6 hours to knit a short scarf in Garter Stitch. You can take pauses in between. A lot of knitters pick up their project for an hour or two in the evening while watching TV. And nothing speaks against you doing the same. Some expectation management at the start.

How many skeins of yarn do you need for a scarf?

Use two skeins if you want a longer scarf. The larger the yarn and the lighter the color, the easier it will be to see your stitches. You will also need size 13 US (9 mm) knitting needles or whatever size creates the gauge you want. It is also helpful to have a crochet hook.

How many stitches to cast on a scarf?

Cast On Stitches. Cast on 12 stitches. This will give you a scarf that's almost 5 inches wide, but you can alter the number of stitches for a wider or narrower scarf. There are a many different ways to cast-on. Try the long-tail cast-on or simple wrap cast on.

How many stitches per inch in garter stitch?

With the suggested yarn and needle combination for this project, you should get around 2 1/2 stitches per inch in garter stitch. If changing yarn weight, you should also change the needle size to get that yarn's recommended gauge.

Is garter stitch knitting easier?

It doesn't get any easier! Even when you are no longer a novice knitter, a garter stitch scarf is a great go-to pattern. It knits up quickly, and you get quite a different look with the smallest adjustments.

Can you knit a scarf with a garter stitch?

Many novice knitters begin with a scarf as their first project since the design itself is simple. Choosing to make the scarf with a basic garter stitch makes it quick and easy, but still a project you are sure to be proud of when done. If you are familiar with casting on, knitting, and binding off, then you already know everything you need ...

Can you make a sock with any yarn?

You can make it with any yarn type or combine two different kinds of yarn. If you want to use a different weight of yarn than the super bulky, check the label to see what size needles they recommend and use them instead of the size 13.

Can you knit a striped scarf with leftover yarn?

Or add a few handmade pom poms on the corners or along the top and bottom. Once you have a few projects under your belt, you can knit a striped scarf with the leftover bits of yarn. A basic garter stitch scarf is no doubt a project you will keep coming back to again and again throughout your knitting career.

How long does it take to finish a scarf?

Not only will it take light years to finish your scarf, but lighter yarns require smaller needles. And smaller needles are, in general, harder to control. So make things easy for yourself and choose a yarn that’s at least a medium weight if not larger. If you’re a beginner, step away from the lace and fine yarns.

What to do if you drop a stitch?

If you drop a stitch, keep moving forward. Don’t look back. At first, the goal is to get the basic steps of the knit stitch down. Once you’re comfortable with the knit stitch, your hands will naturally settle into the rhythm of knitting and you’ll make less mistakes. Think of your first ten rows as practice.

Is knitting a scarf hard?

Learning how to knit a scarf can seem hard if you’re a total beginner. There are two needles to move around, and yarn that looks like it could snag into knots. It looks intimidating! But the truth is that knitting is like any other skill. It’s no different than learning how to ride a bike or how to cook. All it takes is some time and practice.

How many needles do you need to knit a scarf?

Several different stitches are needed to knit a scarf, but many are used with U.S. size nine and seven need les along with two or three 50-gram skeins of yarn.

How long is a scarf?

To do this, try holding your arms out so that the scarf reaches from your left finger across to your right one. On average, this scarf will be about 60" long. Most short scarves are 55" long, medium scarves are roughly 70" extended, and long scarves are about 82" in length. 1:27.

How long should a scarf be for a warm person?

It should also have some length left over to tuck into a coat of leave dangling as desired. Another good length for a warm scarf is roughly the same as the height of the recipient. Use this rule of thumb when designing warm scarves, and shoot for around six feet in length if you're unsure.

How long is a Doctor Who scarf?

The Doctor Who Scarf. Some scarves, like the famous Doctor Who scarf, is usually worked for 12 or 14 feet long. These are longer and wider than most practical scarves for both knitters and wearers. In general, a scarf only needs to be long enough to wrap once around the neck.

Can you knit a cowl instead of a scarf?

When it comes to children, knitters should note that an extra-long scarf can be a safety hazard. You might even consider knitting a co wl instead of a scarf, so the child can stay warm without scarf tails that could get caught in things.

Is a razor shell scarflette warm?

There are some scarves, like the razor shell scarflette, that is short but effective. In this case, the cashmere is warm even though it's short. You don't want to spend money on knitting a five-foot-long scarf in cashmere.

Can you knit a gauge swatch?

Although knitters tend to shy away from knitting a gauge swatch, it really helps to determine the right size.

How many yards of yarn do you need for a scarf?

But some knitters feel the perfect scarf is closer to a blanket, while other people might think of a lacey summer scarf. The first may need 1000 yards, the other probably just 300 yards. Also, a project in brioche stitches may need twice as much yarn as one in garter stitch. BUT that doesn’t mean you should despair.

Is it worth knitting a swatch?

BUT it’s really worth knitting that swatch. It will save you time and money. At the same time, building a trusted relationship with your local yarn/crafts store will also help you a lot. Not only do they know the yarns pretty well, but they will also be able to help you with returning excess yarn you won’t need.

Can you knit a swatch with the same needle size?

But, if you have another wool for the same needle size at home, you can knit a swatch in the pattern with this wool. Then, you can simply divide the total number of stitches on the label of your wool at home by the number of stitches the wool you want buy needs to knit the sample swatch.

Can you buy one skein of yarn?

Most long time knitters will have huge stashes of yarn and that is fairly easy to do. You could only buy one skein, then knit your swatch and buy the rest. But I do not recommend it, because the other skeins will most probably be from a different dye lot, so visibly different.

What happens if you use too big needles?

Your needle size factors into your gauge, and if you're using needles that are too big or too small for your weight of yarn, you'll get a largely different number of stitches per inch than the label on the yarn predicts. Your yarn label should tell you what size of needle is recommended for your yarn, but if it doesn't, ...

Do you need to add stitches for a scarf?

Additionally, if you're using a stitch pattern that will curl and plan on combatting that with a non-curling border , you're going to need to add the number of stitches for the borders down the length of the scarf. If that border is going to be garter stitch, that is /all/ you'll have to worry about; if you're knitting something like ...

Can you knit up a gauge swatch?

If you want to be extra sure, you can knit up a gauge swatch to make sure your knitting matches your expected gauge, but the chart below assumes that you're working in the correct knitting needle for your yarn size and achieving the right gauge.

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