To the knitters, what would be a good scarf pattern for a beginner?

The basketweave pattern is pretty easy, and it lays flat and looks elegant.

Basically, you do something like a wide rib pattern (say, however many stitches make up an inch or inch and a half in your gauge) and then after about an inch or inch and a half of length, switch so that instead of a rib, you’re making a checkerboard.

Here’s a picture of what it looks like, which probably helps.

I know you say that you can’t read patterns, but perhaps a very easy pattern like basketweave is a good opportunity to begin to understand a simple one. Here is a free pattern for a Basketweave scarf – you don’t have to follow it exactly, but it describes the general technique, which may be helpful if it’s hard to imagine it the way I describe it up there.

Even better, here’s a video about the stitch pattern.

And here’s a link to the best knitting help site that I personally know about. :)

Good luck! It’s a very forgiving pattern, so if you choose to make it and have some wrong stitches or unevenness, it doesn’t look so bad.

Basketweave is a good idea; I really like ribbed scarves too, and they’re easy to do and fun to work on. They’re also thicker than scarves that lie flat, so they’re good for when it’s really cold and windy…

Here’s a link to a bunch of basic scarf patterns . I think the keyhole scarf is the coolest – I’ve made one of those myself. The keyhole part makes it slightly more challenging, but these instructions are good, so it should be pretty straightforward…

Have fun knitting! =)

Thanks Laureth, that looks really really pretty! I love how it looks! I also really appreciate how you found a pattern that has actual words, and not just a bunch of symbols.

I’m pretty scared of the fact that there are eight different rows, and the first one is, “Row two: Knit four, purl three, knit five, purl three, knit four.”

It’s only my third piece, and I don’t think I’m ready for that yet.

I think you have a great eye, and from your answers to other questions, it seems like you know a lot about knitting. Could I trouble you for another pattern that’s less complicated? Maybe only two different rows? Or even four rows, but if there were only two different things you had to do within the row?

And thanks Sdeutsch! I’m thinking about making the simple ribbed scarf right above the keyhole one for this project. It looks pretty straightforward I think. Thanks so much!

One last question, for both of you, I was looking through the blog you linked to, Laureth. That stuff is so cool (and her kitties are really cute too)! Out of curiosity, what is this one called? And what is this one?? it is SOOO cool!!

Thanks so much, both of you! I learned a bunch of stuff and saw a lot of pretty things, thanks to you two!!

I have another question, would it still look like a basketweave if I just did knit two, purl two, and did two rows the same, and then the next two rows different?

Whew! I’m doing the rib, and I think I’m finally going to stick with this. I guess the 6th time pulling all the stitches out to start over is the charm…

Have you checked out Ravelry?

Re: would it still look like a basketweave if I just did knit two, purl two, and did two rows the same, and then the next two rows different?

Yes, that would look like very small basketweave. Regular basketweave is just doing that with bigger squares. If you think of it that way, seed stitch (if you’ve ever done that) is the very tiniest basketweave.

Heck, why not try seed stitch?

you guys rock! thank you for the continuing awesomeness of the links and tips!

You can look me up on Ravelry too. Same user name cooksalot

Chica: Sorry, I have no idea what the pattern in that first link is, but the second one has a link to the pattern in its comments. It’s a really lovely scarf – I think I might try making one! =)

awesome! that’s the cooler one, anyway! i’m filing that under “someday”
if only i knew
-what yarnovers are
-what dropping them means
-how to block
-if ‘garter stitch’ is the same thing as knit stitch

…then i’d be all ready to get started…

LaChica:

Yarnover is where you “pick up” a loop of yarn, just as if you were going to knit, but you didn’t stick your needle through a loop yet. It makes an increase (so you have one more stitch on your needle in the next row) which looks like a hole. People use them in lace a lot. If you ever look over your knitwork and see what looks like a hole, chances are that this was an accidental yarn-over.

Dropping a stitch is what happens when a loop falls off the tip of your needle and then the whole column of stitches below it kinda falls apart. It’s usually an accident, but some patterns use them on purpose.

How to block: in general, blocking is where you get your knitted piece wet and then pin it out to dry in the shape that you want. This can neaten it up and is particularly necessary for lace to look like lace. It’s a little involved to write out here, but there are plenty of good websites that can go into more detail.

Garter stitch: This is what you get if you do a whole row of knit stitches, turn the work, and do another whole row of knit stitches. If you make a scarf, say, and never do a purl, you will have a garter stitch scarf. (Knit and purl are names for individual stitches – the loops you bring through the other loops. Terms like Garter Stitch, Seed Stitch, Stockinette Stitch, and the like, are different textures you can make with individual knits and purls.)

I hope this helps. :)

sweet! you rock, laureth!