Answer
How Many Stitches to Cast On for a Scarf (Knitting)
Multiply the width you want by your stitches per inch: in worsted yarn at about 4.5 stitches per inch, a 7 in wide scarf needs about 32 stitches, and in bulky yarn at about 3.5 stitches per inch, about 25. Knit a small swatch first to measure your own stitches per inch; Craftuary's free Garter Stitch Dishcloth uses the same maths, 36 stitches for 8 in.
At a glance
| Where | What's there | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Craftuary Academy: cast onours | Knitting 101, lesson 1: the cast on, in free looping 3D. | Casting on evenly |
| Craftuary Garter Stitch Dishclothours | 36 stitches on US 7 (4.5 mm) needles in worsted cotton make an 8 in square: the same stitches-per-inch maths as a scarf. | A small practice piece |
| Craftuary free beginner knitting patternsours | Where to find free first projects, ours and others'. | Finding a scarf pattern |
| Craft Yarn Council: yarn weight system | The standard yarn weights with their typical knitted gauge ranges per 4 in. | Estimating gauge before you swatch |
How to start
- Choose the width. A common adult scarf is 6 to 8 in wide.
- Find your stitches per inch. Knit a 4 in swatch in your yarn and stitch, count the stitches across 4 in and divide by 4.
- Multiply and round. Width x stitches per inch. Round to an even or odd number if your stitch pattern needs one.
- Choose a stitch that lies flat. Garter, seed stitch or ribbing; stockinette curls at the edges.
Questions
How many stitches do I cast on for a baby blanket?
Use the same formula: a 30 in blanket at 4.5 stitches per inch needs about 135 stitches.
How long should a scarf be?
Often 60 to 70 in for an adult; measure one you like and use that.
Why is my scarf getting wider as I knit?
Extra stitches are being added, often by knitting into the first stitch twice or a yarn over at the edge. Count the stitches every few rows.
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