A Scarf Knitting Pattern for Learning How to Knit

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about learning how to knit, and what would be helpful or what essential skills are needed to get from that first project to other projects with confidence.

I know a lot of people start with a garter stitch scarf, but I also know that can get boring once you feel like you have the knit stitch down. And there is more to learn that you could learn faster if you threw in some other stitches.

What I came up with was this sampler scarf knitting pattern.

It’s made with bulky yarn so it works up pretty fast, even for a new knitter, and it’s easy to see your stitches because they are big.

It starts with garter stitch, of course, but then moves on to stockinette so you can learn how to purl (and learn about the dreaded stockinette curl) and then to ribbing so you learn how to switch between knits and purls in the same row. Then you repeat the stockinette and garter sections to finish the other side of the scarf.

The beauty of this one is you can make it as long or as short as you want. I have versions in the post that are 6 feet long and a little over 3 feet long, depending on how much yarn you have and how much time you want to devote to this project.

It also includes the option of increasing a few stitches before the ribbed section so the width of the scarf stays consistent, and decreasing them on the other side. We also take a closer look at each kind of fabric we’re making, how to count stitches and rows and what the stitches look like on the needle.

There’s a lot going on but I really thing this would be a great first project because you would learn so much so quickly. Check it out and let me know what you think!

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It’s been well documented that I love a knitting pattern with a bit of whimsy, so when I saw the Mine! Pullover from Sarah L. Kelly recently I knew I had to share it with you.

I mean, who wouldn’t want to knit a sweater with a yoke full of seagulls? And another seagull at the waist? Chasing little crabs?

The story behind the sweater (and you knew there had to be one, right?) is that while Sarah was traveling around Europe there were a lot of cheeky seagulls about. They reminded her of the scene in Finding Nemo where the seagulls say “mine, mine, mine” and thus the Mine! series of patterns was born.

Oh yes, there’s a whole set. It was the sweater I saw first but there’s also a pair of socks (and the pattern says there’s a cowl, too, but I couldn’t find it as of this writing. If you see it let me know and I’ll add the link here!) so you can totally deck yourself out in pesky seabirds if you want.

But back to the sweater for now. This is worked in DK weight yarn from the top down in the round. The yoke and a section at the bottom are worked in stranded colorwork, with stripes on the body, though you could make the body a single color if you wanted. Details like the beaks and eyes are added with duplicate stitch to make the knitting a little easier.

The colorwork sections are charted. The pattern comes in 10 sizes, with a finished chest circumference ranging from 32 to 68 inches, or 80 to 170 cm.

The socks are worked in sock yarn and come in three sizes. There worked from the cuff down and change needle sizes to accommodate the less stretchy nature of stranded colorwork. You can choose from a side profile or a seagull that’s looking out from the sock. Make a matching pair or mix it up.

Both patterns are available on Ravelry: sweater and socks. If you make them I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Sarah L. Kelly]

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