Knit an Easy Scarf Using Helical Knitting

Last month I shared a collection of helical knitting patterns and mentioned that I was learning more about helical knitting this year and had been working on a scarf using the technique that wasn’t ready yet.

It took me a full six weeks to knit the six foot long (1.8 meter) scarf, but it was so satisfying I didn’t even mind it that much.

I decided that I wanted it to be a stash-busting project and that each section would be in rainbow color order, using various oddballs and changing yarn whenever needed within that color section.

For the “second” color I chose black, a skein of Big Twist that was one of the last things I bought at Joann. I like the contrast between the black and the other colors, and it’s nice to have one harmonious secondary color throughout, though of course you could use odd balls for both colors to make it even more scrappy.

I didn’t pay a ton of attention to yarn weight on this project, though most of it is worsted/medium weight. There’s a little bit of heavier yarn in there, too, and maybe a bit that’s a little lighter, too. This scarf can take all kinds.

And despite it taking kind of a long time to knit, it’s actually pretty fun and easy to do. It was good TV knitting, which you might not expect when first learning helical knitting, but as long as you put a stitch marker where you need to slip your stitches you don’t really need to pay attention otherwise.

You can find the pattern for the helical scarf on my website, as well as a tutorial for how I do helical knitting. If you try this technique I’d love to hear about how it goes for you! I really enjoyed it and expect more projects of this sort coming in the future.

Next Pattern:

I’ve been writing about knitting online for a long time, and a lot of things have changed. But one good thing I think has changed over the years is that fewer people see knitting as a seasonal activity. Most people don’t seem to think anymore that there’s a time when it’s too hot to knit or too hot to wear knits.

I don’t know if the proliferation of knit tank top patterns caused that shift or is the result of it, but either way, summer knitters and knitwear-wearers are the beneficiaries, and every year there seem to be more great tank top knitting patterns to share.

How about the super cute Fleur Cami from Woolbirdx on Etsy? This sweet V-neck with thin straps features vertical panels of eyelets and ribbing. It’s worked from the bottom up in the round and is available in nine sizes. It calls for super fine yarn.

Or there’s the knitted lace V-neck top from Exotic Works Hub. This one has lace panels on the front at the center and is otherwise worked mostly in stockinette stitch. It’s worked from the bottom up in fingering weight yarn and comes in six sizes.

The Mixed Rib Cami from Florence Miller is another on that caught my eye. Worked in light fingering weight yarn, it is worked from the top down using twisted rib stitches and optional waist shaping. It’s finished with I-cord edges for a super clean look. The pattern has nine sizes available and you can find it on Ravelry.

Stine HoelgaardJohansen’s Golden Girl top is a cute sport weight top with a round neckline that’s deeper in the back, and worked from the bottom up in broken rib. There are nine size options (and six languages) and you can grab it for free on Ravelry.

Prefer a sporty look? Andrea Gaughan’s Sumac tank is worked in fingering weight yarn from the top down with contrasting edges. The pattern has 10 sizes and two fit profiles, graded to a traditionally masculine or feminine frame respectively. You can find the pattern on Ravelry.

Next Pattern:

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