The Vanilla Scarf is proof that simple stitches can create timeless beauty. Worked entirely in garter stitch with minimal shaping via a few increases and decreases, this scarf is soothing to knit and endlessly wearable. With sizes ranging from child to adult (including a cozy super-wide version), it’s a versatile knit you’ll reach for again and again.
Step-by-step video here.
Needles
US 8 / 5 mm 60-inch (150cm) long
Yarn
Yarn Weight 4: Medium, Aran, Worsted.
The sample used Hobbii Tweed Delight (85% Wool, 10% Acrylic, 5% Rayon/Viscose – 50g/100m) in color 01.
Yardage
Child: 193 (223) yds / 176 (204) m
Adult: – 15gr (369, 492, 738) yds / – (337, 449, 674) m
Gauge
12.5 stitches and 18 rows = 4″/10 cm in 1×1 rib with US 9 – 5.5 mm after blocking.
Other notions
Tapestry needle
Sizing
- Child scarf
Thin: 4”x55” / cm
Standard: 5”x55” / cm - Adult scarf
Neckerchief: 2.5″x 31½” / 6.35 x 80 cm
Thin scarf: 6″x70″ / 15 x 178 cm
Standard scarf: 8″x70″ / 20 x 178 cm
Super wide scarf: 12″x70″ / 30.5 x 178 cm
Construction
Worked flat from the long side.
Abbreviations
BO: bind off
CO: cast on
K: knit
st(s): stitch; stitches
Child Vanilla scarf directions
Direction for Thin scarf
Using any cast on method you prefer, CO 164 sts.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (166 sts)
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (168 sts)
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (170 sts)
Row 7: Knit
Row 8: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (172 sts)
Row 9: Knit
Row 10: Knit
Row 11: Knit
Row 12: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (170 sts)
Row 13: Knit
Row 14: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (168 sts)
Row 15: Knit
Row 16: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (166 sts)
Row 17: Knit
Row 18: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (164 sts)
Bind off loosely.
Finishing:
Weave in the ends.
Block your scarf to the proper dimensions.
Direction for Standard scarf
Using any cast on method you prefer, CO 162 sts.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (164 sts)
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (166 sts)
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (178 sts)
Row 7: Knit
Row 8: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (170 sts)
Row 9: Knit
Row 10: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (172 sts)
Row 11: Knit
Row 12: Knit
Row 13: Knit
Row 14: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (170 sts)
Row 15: Knit
Row 16: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (168 sts)
Row 17: Knit
Row 18: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (166 sts)
Row 19: Knit
Row 20: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (164 sts)
Row 21: Knit
Row 22: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (162 sts)
Bind off loosely.
Finishing:
Weave in the ends.
Block your scarf to the proper dimensions.
Adult scarf directions
Direction for Neckerchief scarf
Using any cast on method you prefer, CO 88 sts.
Row 1: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (90 sts)
Row 2: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (92 sts)
Row 3: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (94 sts)
Row 4: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (96 sts)
Row 5: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (98 sts)
Row 6: Knit
Row 7: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (96 sts)
Row 8: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (94 sts)
Row 9: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (92 sts)
Row 10: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (90 sts)
Row 11: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (88 sts)
Bind off loosely.
Finishing:
Weave in the ends.
Block your scarf to the proper dimensions.
Direction for Thin scarf
Using any cast on method you prefer, CO 207 sts.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (209 sts)
Row 3: Knit
Row 4: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (211 sts)
Row 5: Knit
Row 6: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (213 sts)
Row 7: Knit
Row 8: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (215 sts)
Row 9: Knit
Row 10: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (217 sts)
Row 11: Knit
Row 12: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (219 sts)
Row 13: Knit
Row 14: Knit
Row 15: Knit
Row 16: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (217 sts)
Row 17: Knit
Row 18: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (215 sts)
Row 19: Knit
Row 20: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (213 sts)
Row 21: Knit
Row 22: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (211 sts)
Row 23: Knit
Row 24: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (209 sts)
Row 25: Knit
Row 26: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (207 sts)
Bind off loosely.
Finishing:
Weave in the ends.
Block your scarf to the proper dimensions.
Direction for Standard scarf
Using any cast on method you prefer, CO 207 sts.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (209 sts)
Row 3-4: Knit
Row 5: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (211 sts)
Row 6-7: Knit
Row 8: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (213 sts)
Row 9-10: Knit
Row 11: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (215 sts)
Row 12-13: Knit
Row 14: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (217 sts)
Row 15-16: Knit
Row 17: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (219 sts)
Row 18-20: Knit
Row 21: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (217 sts)
Row 22-23: Knit
Row 24: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (215 sts)
Row 25-26: Knit
Row 27: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (213 sts)
Row 28-29: Knit
Row 30: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (211 sts)
Row 31-32: Knit
Row 33: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (209 sts)
Row 34-35: Knit
Row 36: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (207 sts)
Bind off loosely.
Finishing:
Weave in the ends.
Block your scarf to the proper dimensions.
Direction for Super wide scarf
Using any cast on method you prefer, CO 207 sts.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (209 sts)
Row 3-5: Knit
Row 6: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (211 sts)
Row 7-9: Knit
Row 10: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (213 sts)
Row 11-13: Knit
Row 14: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (215 sts)
Row 15-17: Knit
Row 18: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (217 sts)
Row 19-21: Knit
Row 22: Kfb, k to last st, kfb (219 sts)
Row 23-32: Knit
Row 33: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (217 sts)
Row 34-36: Knit
Row 37: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (215 sts)
Row 38-40: Knit
Row 41: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (213 sts)
Row 42-44: Knit
Row 45: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (211 sts)
Row 46-48: Knit
Row 49: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (209 sts)
Row 50-52: Knit
Row 53: Ssk, k to last 2 sts, k2tog (207 sts)
Bind off loosely.
Finishing:
Weave in the ends.
Block your scarf to the proper dimensions.