5 Ways to Knit an Infinity Scarf

This article was co-authored by Jen Webber. Jen Webber is a Knitting Specialist and the Manager of The Quarter Stitch, a crafting store based in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Louisiana. With over 17 years of knitting and crafting experience, Jen helps educate customers and the public on best knitting practices for their DIY projects.

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Knitting an infinity scarf can be done in several ways. You can knit a large and long scarf and stitch it together into a loop. Or, you can knit in the round if you’re more experienced with knitting. Either way will produce a decent infinity scarf.

Steps

Simple Infinity Scarf

This is basically a long scarf, stitched together to form a loop.

1. 1Cast on 60 sts.
2. 2K 2 P 2 across the row.Advertisement
3. 3Repeat the row until the scarf measures at least 180 cm/70 inches.
   • You can also make it shorter if wished, a suggested shorter length would be 95cm/37 inches.
   • You can make it longer but remember that this is bulk hanging around your neck!
4. 4Cast off loosely in rib, twisting as you end the knit. (Rib = K 1, P 1 to end of row.)
5. 5Bind off the stitches. Line up the cast-on edge with the cast-off edge and sew the ends together, turning the ends inward as you stitch.
   • Some people recommend twisting one end before sewing together, to create the infinity twist. It’s up to you, as in putting the scarf on, you’ll be twisting it anyway.
6. 6Done.

Infinity Scarf in the Round

If you know how to knit in the round, this scarf is very easy to make. You choose the pattern and stitch.

1. 1Use a very long circular needle. If you use a small one, you’ll only knit enough to make a cowl, which is a short infinity scarf but you won’t be able to wrap it again and again.
   • The needle size should be at least 4mm/6 US and above.
2. 2Choose the stitch and pattern of your preference. Knit stitch works well for beginners––knit even rows, purl odd rows. You can vary the number of rows as you go.
3. 3Choose the scarf length. You’ll need to gauge the final length from the stitch used by making a sample piece of about 15 stitches and measuring its gauge. This tells you how many stitches fit for each 5cm/2 inches, allowing you to calculate the final length desired.
4. 4Cast on. Using your calculation from the previous step, cast the number of stitches needed for the required length. Then connect the beginning and end of the row and start knitting in circles.
5. 5Knit around and around.
6. 6Continue knitting until it reaches the height you’d like. Then cast off and the infinity scarf is complete.

Hood cowl

This pattern can be worn either as a cowl around the neck or pulled up over the head with some still wrapped around the neck. Just note though––it’s not usually long enough to be twist wrapped.

• Tension: 7 stitches to 2.5cm/1 inch

1. 1Use the 2.25mm (1 US) needles first.
   • Cast on 152 sts on 3 (2 or 3 US) needles (50-50-52).
   • Join; do not twist the sts.
   • Work 3.8cm/1 1/2 inches in rounds of K 2, P 2 rib.
2. 2Change to the 3mm (2 or 3 US) needles. Knit the pattern as follows:
   • 1st round: Knit
   • 2nd round: Knit
   • 3rd round: Knit
   • 4th round: Purl
   • 5th round: Knit
   • 6th round: Purl
   • 7th round: Knit
   • 8th round: Purl.
3. 3These 8 rounds form the pattern. Repeat 13 times more, making a total of 14 patterns.
4. 4Change back to the 2.25mm (1 US) needles. Work in 3.8cm/1 1/2 inches in K 2, P 2 rib.
5. 5Cast off loosely in rib.
6. 6Darn the ends in neatly. The cowl is completed! Try it on for size.

Simple Infinity Scarf from Your Own Pattern

1. 1Choose a pattern. An infinity scarf can be made from many existing scarf patterns, provided the length is long and the style stays rectangular. It should also be of a decent width. Experiment to see what will allow the final scarf to hang nicely.
2. 2Knit the pattern.
3. 3Stitch the ends together when done, to create a loop. One infinity scarf from your favorite pattern!

Abbreviations

• Sts = stitches
• K = knit
• P = purl

Community Q&A

• QuestionHow many stitches for casting on?Community AnswerDepends on what you are knitting. If it is above 7 stitches, use bigger knitting needles.
• QuestionHow many stitches do I cast on for an easy infinity scarf in the round?MicheleTop AnswererIt depends on how long you want your scarf. The more stitches, the longer the scarf. Cast on as many stitches as you need for the pattern you’re using and the length you want the scarf to be. Generally just cast on until you reach the length you want, then give it the twist and join. If the pattern calls for a certain number of stitches though, then you’ll need to do some math. Figure out the gauge and measure how long it needs to be. For example, one pattern I’ve used calls for increments of 6. They recommend 46 repeats of the stitch or 276 stitches to be cast on.
• QuestionCan the Chinese wave stitch be used for an infinity scarf?MicheleTop AnswererWhy not? According to the instructions I’ve seen for this stitch, any odd number of stitches will work. I don’t think it will work in the round, but that doesn’t stop you from creating a simple scarf and joining it after to be an infinity scarf.

Video

Tips

• The infinity scarf is also known as a cowl, although an infinity scarf is usually longer than a neck cowl. The end look is fairly much the same, depending on scarf length.⧼thumbs_response⧽
• If using wool, do not wash in hot water; always use warm or cool water to clean, along with a gentle wool-certified detergent or hand soap. Always support a wet woolen garment to prevent stretching, including when removing it from the hand washing basin.⧼thumbs_response⧽

Things You’ll Need

Simple Infinity Scarf:

• Yarn/wool, 2 50g 8-ply balls/skeins in color of choice (use up your stash)
• Knitting needles, 5mm (8 US)
• Scissors
• Sewing needle and thread

Infinity Scarf in the Round:

• Long circular knitting needle, at least 4mm (6 US) and above
• Adequate yarn (measuring what’s needed is explained above)

Hood Cowl:

• 4 ply yarn/wool
• 3mm/No 11 (UK)/No. 2 (US) knitting needles
• 2.25mm/No 13 (UK)/No. 1 (US) knitting needles

Infinity Scarf from Your Own Pattern:

• Your own pattern
• Yarn/wool
• Needle and thread in matching color
• Scissors

References

1. Videos provided by berriebarely
2. http://zoomyummy.com/2013/01/10/simple-knit-infinity-scarf/ – research source for the knitted scarf

About This Article

To knit an infinity scarf, start by casting on 60 stitches. Then, knit 2 stitches and purl 2 stitches for each row. Continue knitting this pattern until your scarf is at least 70 inches long. Next, as you cast off, knit 1 stitch and purl 1 stitch to the end of the row. Finish by lining up the cast on and cast off edges, and sewing both ends together. As you sow the ends together, remember to turn the ends inward. For tips on how to knit an infinity scarf in the round or how to make a hood cowl, read on!

Reader Success Stories

• “I know only the very basics of knitting as my grandmother and mother taught me, but I never learned any technical terms (because my mother and grandmother learned how to knit in India). All the knitting tutorials online use very niche and oblique lingo, making it very hard for someone who doesn’t know the right terms. This guide had visual depictions that I found very helpful. “…” more