Advice on knitting a scarf.

[jalopy]

I would really like to knit a scarf. Preferably a mohair type of scarf. I'm not a knitter but I think I can remember how to cast on and cast off.

What size needles should I get? Will plain stitches work ok. How many balls of wool will I need to make a standard rectangular longish scarf.

Am I mad to consider this? I fancy a challenge.

Thank you for your help:)

If you look at the ball band on the yarns you are considering, they will tell you what size of needles are recommended for that yarn. As you are knitting a scarf, tension is not such an issue - the scarf might be a bit wider or narrower, but will still fit - but most people do recommend you knit a tension square - more info here. I never have done - I knew that I knitted quite tight, so I used a bigger needle, and sometimes went up a garment size too. If your tension is too tight, as mine was, you can go up a size or two in needles, and if your tension is too loose, you can try a smaller needle.

HTH.

Oops - pressed enter too soon.

You can do a lacy scarf just using stocking stitch (1 row plain, 1 row purl) if you use a fine, lacy yarn, and needles several sizes bigger than recommended - I have done this and it is a bit trial and error to find the right needle size.

If you are using a lace weight yarn, one or two 25g skeins will be plenty for a scarf. With heavier yarns, I think I would say the same - about 50g of yarn, but more if you want a wider and/or longer scarf.

I think if you are using a mohair or something that will sort of hide the stitches then you can just do plain stitches. It won't matter too much because you will just see hairiness iyswim. The danger is that you will get bored if it is all just plain - scarfs are easy but they can get very dull to do without an interesting stitch.

If you do what STG suggests, I would use 4 or 5mm needles with lace weight yarn. I think that gives a nice loose stitch but not so loose it is holey.

I would also practice on a non- hairy yarn first, something cheap and cheerful so that you can check that you know for sure that you can still knit. Mohair is a PITA to unravel if you drop a stitch or mess up. It is pretty good at hiding uneven tension and generally wonkiness but it tends to matt up if you have to rip it back.

Thank you so much for your helpful advice.

I've just made a scarf with chunky yarn, 6mm needles, cast on 30sts and work in double moss stitch -

Row 1: K1, P1 to end.
Row 2: K1, P1 to end.
Row 3: P1, K1 to end.
Row 4: P1, K1 to end.

Repeat until desired length - the height of the receiver is usually a good guide :)