It’s early December, and you’re probably feeling the heat of your Christmas knitting deadlines looming. That scarf you’ve promised your favorite niece. The charity drive for handknitted scarves for the homeless. Or your kids who’ll expect an annual handknit scarf. And you’re freaking out.
Friends, you can do this. You can still knock out a half dozen handknit scarves, if necessary. I’m in the same boat, and here’s my recipe for an easy-peasy handknit scarf you can knock out in two days – assuming you have something worthwhile to watch on TV or appropriate Christmas music playing in the background.
- First, procure a big skein of size 5 bulky yarn. I’m using Yarnspirations Caron brand “Sprinkle Cakes” yarn, bought at my local big box craft store. You just need one skein per scarf.
- Next, get yourself size 11 US (8.0 mm) knitting needles – straight or circular, doesn’t matter.
- Cast on 20 stitches, knit one row for a nice border.
You’re going to use a 4×4 basket weave pattern – blocks of 4 stitches, 4 rows high. Four knit stitches, 4 purl stitches, repeat to the end of the row. Flip your work over and continue in reverse. Do this for 4 rows, then switch the knits for purls and visa-versa, to wit:
- Row 1: Knit 4, Purl 4, Knit 4, Purl 4, Knit 4
- Row 2: Purl 4, knit 4, purl 4, knit 4, purl 4
- Row 3: repeat row 1
- Row 4: repeat row 2
- Row 5: Purl 4, knit 4, purl 4, knit 4, purl 4
- Row 6: knit 4, purl 4, knit 4, purl 4, knit 4
- Row 7: repeat row 5
- Row 8: repeat row 6
Continue in this pattern until you almost run out of yarn. Bind off, weave in loose ends. And voila! You’ve got a long, cozy, generously knit scarf that makes you look like a star!
For added warmth and good wishes, drink one glass of wine or a handful of chocolates while you knit. You’ll feel less stressed. I promise.
You’ve got this! Go forth and finish that Christmas knitting!!!
Advent Blessings for a wonderful holiday, Cindy
P.S. Thanks so much for all your positive response and kind words on the publication of my new book!!!!! Y’all are awesome!!! Love, Cindy
Cynthia Coe is the author of The Prayer Shawl Chronicles, interrelated stories about knitters and those for whom they knit and love. The sequel to this book, The Knitting Guild of All Saints, has been released! Available in paperback and on Kindle, included in Kindle Unlimited.
Sycamore Cove Knitting 
Thank you for the pattern. I am looking forward to trying this. I am still a beginner knitter. If you use circular needles, what size do you recommend for the “cording” that attaches the needles. I know that they come in various sizes. Thank You!!!
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Hi! I use the Clover bamboo needles all the same size! I didn’t know cords came in different sizes! Learn something every day…. Hope you enjoy the pattern! Blessings, C
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DO you use circular needles?? The cord that I am talking about is the one that attaches those 2 needles together. I think they come in 16″, 32″ maybe and maybe a couple of other sizes.
Is that basket weave stitch pretty easy??
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Sorry, misunderstood your question. Length of the cord doesn’t matter, though a shorter length cord would likely work better. I’m using one with a fairly long cord at the moment, and it kinda gets in the way. I bought it while out of town and got the only size 11s available. Thanks for clarifying! C
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That is too funny, thank you for clarifying. Is that stitch an easy, beginner friendly one?? Thanks!
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Absolutely! Just need to know basic knit and purl stitches and count to 4!
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