Loop scarf tutorial

Last Tuesday I gave a little knitting basic class for two friends. :) We decided that our first knitting project would be a loop scarf.

We started with a swatch, because we all used different kinds of wool. I also made my students knit some patterns to decide which one they want to include in the final scarf. Unfortunately I only took pictures of their work at the beginning without the pattern.

I always thought knitting was very easy. But when I started to explain what to do, I realized it was harder than I thought. ;) But finally everyone managed to purl and knit. :D
Now everyone of us is knitting the scarf at home. And every time my students make a mistake or have a question I look over their work and try to help them. :)

This is the loop scarf I am making:

I used the so called brioche stitch ("Patentmuster" in German). It's very simple, yet I like the outcome.

I decided to make a little tutorial if someone is interested in knitting an easy loop scarf for this winter or as a christmas present. :) So here it goes:

1. Cast on as many stitches as you like. I casted on 34 stitches so the final width of the scarf is about 20 cm (7.8 inches). When casting on, use a separate piece of yarn. At the end of the tutorial I'll tell you why. :)

2. Work the first row as follows:
Knit, *knit, purl*, repat from * to * until one stitch is left, purl the last stitch.

3. Now work the pattern, which is the same for every row:
Knit (selvedge stitch), *knit, slip a stitch purlwise (with yarn in front)*, repeat from * to * until one stitch is left, slip stitch purlwise (selvedge stitch).

This is how to hold the needle when slip stitching purlwise. Don't purl the stitch, just slip it like this on the needle. You'll get two strings of yarn on the right needle.

In the first row of the pattern you have to knit just one string of yarn. Beginning from the second row you have to knit two strings of yarn (the ones you got from slip stitching in the previous row).

I wanted the border to come out nicely, so I decided to make a slip stitch edge. You only have to knit the first selvedge stitch and slip stitch the last stitch purlwise.

The border then looks like this:

4. Knit the scarf as long as you like. I'm going to use all 5 balls of wool I bought. I want the scarf to be around 140 cm long (about 55 inches).

5. For connecting the two ends, the casting on with a separate piece of yarn comes in handy. :) Carefully rip the first row (the stitches you've casted on at the beginning) while slipping the resulting stitches back on a separate needle. Now you have two open ends, you just have to bind off together. :)
For a basic knit bind-off hold the two endings next to each other (without any twists in the scarf), so that both of the two needles are oriented to the right. With a third needle *knit the first two stitches of each needle together. Do the same with the second two stitches. Pass the first stitch over the second stitch.* Repeat from * to *.

As I'm in the middle of my scarf I haven't tried out the ending yet, but if you have a question or a problem with it just ask me. :) I would love to help you!

I hope you like this little tutorial, my first one. :) As soon as I'm done with my scarf I'll show it to you. :)