Beyond Garter Stitch: How to Create 5 Beautiful Scarves for Free
Enjoy knitting scarves? Check out these 5 fun, free scarf knitting patterns
Do you remember the first scarf you ever knit?
If you’re like many knitters, the first scarf you knitted was plain garter stitch. You may have attached fringe at each edge. You probably felt a deep sense of accomplishment when you finished!
(And as an added bonus, you probably felt like you knew the knit stitch.)
Adventures in Newbie Scarf Knitting
Ever the oddball, I did not make my first scarf a straight garter-stitch project. Instead, I alternated between garter and stockinette stitch, changing color for each new block of stitches.
Finishing my scarf was such a thrill! But the curling edges puzzled me. Why didn’t they lie flat?! (Ah, I had so much to learn…)
There’s a reason scarves are the quintessential knitter’s project. It is often the first “major” project a knitter tackles (and, we hope, completes!). They’re can be great for mindless knitting.
And everyone I know who has received a handknit scarf overflowed with appreciation!
Most of us start with garter stitch scarves, but eventually we begin to look for more challenging and interesting patterns. In this spirit, I offer a collection of popular free knitting scarf patterns. They are alike in that all go beyond the standard garter stitch scarf.
Looking for the perfect yarn for knitting a scarf? Check out *Lion Brand’s Scarfie — it features a beautiful self-striping ombre, with enough yardage in 1 ball to make a full scarf!
*This is an affiliate link. If you make a purchase after clicking, I may receive a commission. Thank you for supporting Knitting for Charity!.
Photo: AuntieWerewolf on Ravelry
Popular Free Scarf Knitting Patterns
Drop-Stitch Scarf: Drop stitches on purpose and come up with a beautiful scarf!
One-Row Handspun Scarf: Stephanie Pearl-McPhee’s original pattern, so named because it’s the exact same row repeated until the scarf is as long as you want.
Photo: Karen Baumer
Multidirectional Diagonal Scarf: This scarf can take on a lot of different kinds of looks depending on the kinds and colors you use, which makes for a world of possibilities!
Photo: Adrian Bizilia
Irish Hiking Scarf: This pretty braided-style scarf has been on my to-do list for a long time!
Entrelac Scarf: Here’s a great way to get started with entrelac if you never have tried it before!
When you’re ready to graduate from garter stitch scarves, these popular free scarf knitting patterns are sure to tickle your fancy. Which pattern is your favorite?