Knit an Infinity Scarf

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. Cast on 60 sts.
  2. K 2 P 2 across the row.
  3. Repeat 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. Cast off loosely in rib, twisting as you end the knit. (Rib = K 1, P 1 to end of row.)
  5. Bind 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. Done.

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. Use 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. Choose 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. Choose 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. Cast 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. Knit around and around.
  6. Continue 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. Use 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. Change 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. These 8 rounds form the pattern. Repeat 13 times more, making a total of 14 patterns.
  4. Change back to the 2.25mm (1 US) needles. Work in 3.8cm/1 1/2 inches in K 2, P 2 rib.
  5. Cast off loosely in rib.
  6. Darn the ends in neatly. The cowl is completed! Try it on for size.

Simple Infinity Scarf from Your Own Pattern

  1. Choose 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. Knit the pattern.
  3. Stitch the ends together when done, to create a loop. One infinity scarf from your favorite pattern!

Abbreviations

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



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.
  • 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.

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

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Sources and Citations

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