How to Knit an Infinity Scarf Pattern for Beginners
May contain affiliate links (what's this?)This infinity scarf pattern is perfect for beginners since it’s made up entirely of knits and purls.
With just these two stitches, you can knit up a squishy, textured scarf using the mistake rib stitch. This is one of my favourite stitches because, despite looking complicated, it’s actually deceptively easy!
Best of all, this infinity scarf is knit up in super bulky weight yarn, making it a very quick knit.
A note about construction: this scarf is knit flat and then seamed together at the very end.
Infinity Scarf Video Tutorial
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Materials & Notes
Yarn Used: 4 skeins of Lana Grossa Ragazza Lei (100% merino wool; each skein is 44 yds/50g; color Hellgrau Meliert #31)
Other Similar Yarns:
- Malabrigo Rasta (gorgeous hand-painted yarn) in Cape Cod Grey or Sombras:
- Wool & the Gang Crazy Sexy Wool (slightly thicker merino) in Tweed Grey
- Lion Brand Hometown USA (a budget acrylic option) in Dallas Grey
Recommended Needles: one pair of 10mm needles
Notions:
- tapestry needle
- tape measure
- split ring stitch markers (optional)
Finished Measurements:
- Width: 7.5”
- Circumference: 48”
Gauge: Gauge: 9.5 sts = 4”/10cm in stockinette stitch
Infinity Scarf Knitting Instructions:
CO 21 sts (or a multiple of 4+1)
Row 1: Sl1 knitwise, K1, *P2, K2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, P2, K1
Row 2: Sl1 purlwise, P1, *K2, P2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, K2, P1
Repeat Rows 1-2 until scarf measures roughly 42” or your preferred length.
Cast off, but don’t cut the yarn from the cast off edge. With the yarn, measure a length that is 7 times the width of the cast off edge. Cut the yarn at that point.
This length of yarn will be used to seam the scarf together to make an infinity scarf.
Fold the scarf in half with right sides facing. Hold the two ends of the scarf evenly together.
Thread the length of yarn onto a tapestry needle and seam the two ends of the scarf together using the backstitch method. As you seam, make sure the knit columns of the pattern are lined up.
Weave in loose ends. Block the scarf so that it measures 48” in circumference and 7.5” in width, or to desired length.
Abbreviations:
CO: cast on
K: knit
P: purl
Sl1 knitwise: slip one stitch as if to knit
Sl1 purlwise: slip one stitch as if to purl
* * : repeat instructions between asterisks the number of times indicated
Helpful Tutorials:
- Longtail Cast On
- How to Join a New Ball of Yarn
- Seaming with Mattress Stitch (alternative to backstitch)
- How to Knit a Scarf for Beginners
If you knit this infinity scarf, please tag me on Instagram @sheepandstitch (I would love to see your scarf!). If you’re on Ravelry, you can add your scarf to the Mistake Rib Infinity Scarf project page here.
Support Sheep & Stitch
While the pattern instructions and video tutorial are free and available above, for the price of a fancy coffee, you can support Sheep & Stitch by purchasing a PDF file of this pattern. This PDF file is beautifully laid out and ready to be printed!
Upon purchase, the pattern PDF file will be delivered to you by email. Thank you for your support!
Dear Sheep & Stitch: I loved VIDEO: Infinity Scarf for Beginners VIDEO. You are a wonderful teacher: so upbeat, knowledgeable and helpful. You make it fun! Your instructions and the video component are excellent! Thank you so much for creating this clear and friendly “how-to” video. With all the stress in our world, now, I feel the need to create something ‘positive’ in the creative part of my heart. From your video, I am inspired and empowered to knit a cozy scarf for my daughter, a visual designer in Seattle. Thank you so much for sharing with me.
If i use a provisional cast-on, could i do a kitchener stitch to do a seamless cast-off?
Yes! I think that would work.
Dear Sheep & Stitch, can i use Lana Grossa Feltro instead? but it’s just chunky not super chunky.
thanks
Hi Clarista, you can use any yarn you like as long as the yarn matches the knitting gauge of the pattern. Here’s a more detailed explanation of knitting gauge: https://sheepandstitch.com/what-is-knitting-gauge/ If your gauge matches the pattern’s gauge then the finished knitting project will match the finished measurements of the pattern. Hope that makes sense!
Great video!! Thanks for being so thorough 🙂
I keep trying and trying this pattern but it just kind of gnarls and clumps instead of forming nice rows. I’m wondering if the beginning of each row should be slip 1 off, knit/purl 2 and then get into the pattern? Otherwise I am knitting onto purls and vice versa for each row.
This is also happening to me!
Happening to me too! While knitting mistake rib, shouldn’t we knit the knits and purl the purls? The opposite is happening to me.
I’m a complete beginner (this is my 2nd project), any and all tips will be appreciated, thanks! 🙂
I think the printable pattern is flawed- the video gives different directions than the one that print out. (multiples of 4 plus 3, versus multiples of 4 plus 1)
Hi,
I was wondering if I could knit this in the round so that I could do away with the seaming?
Thanks,
Jackie