Men’s Scarf Pattern

Published by Shana | Filed under Free, Knitting, Patterns

I like to pretend that I’m a selfish knitter, meaning I only knit for the ‘knit-worthy’ – those that would both help you move a body and truly understand the craft and time and love that go into hand-knits (and quilts, for that matter). The idea rose as a backlash against that jerk acting like they are doing you a favor by requesting that you make them something and that other jerk that informs you that you can buy socks already made at Walmart. Very helpful.

No, this isn't for me.

I lack the discipline to be ‘selfish’ and instead foist projects that took me days, weeks, months on completely unsuspecting people. The obvious amount of energy that goes into the projects lays there like threat – reject this and you reject me. It’s gift-giving emotional one-upping. “Oh, it’s no big deal. I just spent 30 hours working on this, stitch by stitch. Thinking about what you’d like. Fretting that you wouldn’t want this. Reflecting on how you’re important in my life. Nothing major. It’s no Best Buy gift card or anything.”

It’s a bit unfair, really, because even I would rather get the Best Buy gift card. My interest in wearing the things I make dies about four days after I complete them. Perhaps, the truly selfish approach is to leach inspiration from those around me, so I can induldge in a hobby I enjoy while pretending I’m giving a one-of-a-kind masterpiece that will be cherished for decades.

This emotional bombing is not too dissimilar, in fact, from foisting my navel-gazing posts upon readers just coming here for free scarf pattern to knit for a man in their life (or lady, I suppose). So, with only a little more adieu, here we go -

This pattern was the request of an old friend to replace a scarf I’d made him years and years ago, when I’d just started knitting/crocheting. I have always been a little ‘meh’ about that scarf (though apparently he loved it – always a sign of the knit-worthy) so I jumped on this as an opportunity to redeem myself. His request was “long, dark red and textured”. It all fell into place from there. Red yarn that just happened to be named “Pagoda” when he’d just so happened to spend some time in China and a stitch pattern that just so happened to look like roof tops, and here we are – Mao’s Little Red Scarf.

This pattern is ridiculously easy and a pretty quick knit for a scarf. You need to know how to knit, purl, cast on and cast off, so it is very beginner friendly.

Mao’s Little Red Scarf Pattern

Request: "Long, dark red and textured". I think it delivers.

Materials

2 skeins Malabrigo Worsted weight in Pagoda (100 gr, 210 yards; 100% merino wool)

US size 8 14″ needles

Tapestry needle and scissors

Stitch marker

Notes

K- knit

P – purl

PU - pick up strand from 2 rows down and slip it over the next live stitch. (You don’t work this stitch. It is held into a point by the live stitches)

Cable cast on description

Directions

Setup

Cable cast on 35 sts.

Knit five rows.

Pattern

1. *K3, slip next 5 sts with yarn in front*, repeat from * to * until last 3 sts, k3.
2. *K3, p5*, repeat from * to * until last 3 sts, k3.
3. K5, *pu, k8, repeat from * to * until last 6 sts, pu, k6.
4. *K3, p5*, repeat from * to * until last 3 sts, k3.

This video may help explain rows 1 & 3

Repeat pattern until scarf measures 60″ or length desired.

K 5 rows.

Bind off and weave in ends.

Optional: Ship to Asia.

My coat buttons are unfortunate.

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