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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)
Directions
Setup
Cable cast on 35 sts.
Knit five rows.
Pattern
- *K3, slip next 5 sts with yarn in front*, repeat from * to * until last 3 sts, k3.
- *K3, p5*, repeat from * to * until last 3 sts, k3.
- K5, *pu, k8, repeat from * to * until last 6 sts, pu, k6.
- *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.
Print 
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November 21st, 2011 at 7:29 pm
I lack the discipline to be 'selfish' and instead foist projects …
Once I took a newly knit scarf from around my neck and gave it to a bank teller I'd never seen before and haven't seen since. In retrospect,that seemed a little too close to the sanity edge. Now I try to keep more distance between a compliment and giving something away. … anyway, enjoyed reading this.
February 20th, 2012 at 3:56 pm
I really want to make this beautiful scarf, but I can’t figure out the instruction for picking up the stitch (stitches?) in Row 3 of the pattern. Would you mind providing some additional instruction, or pointing me towards a site that might have this info? (In the meantime, I’ll keep googling.) Thanks for any help you can provide.
February 20th, 2012 at 7:00 pm
I’m not aware of any out there. It’s super simple to do, but difficult to explain. I’ll see about taking some photos or doing a video, but the earliest I’d be able to get to it would be this weekend.
In short, on line 1, you are leave a strand unworked in front of the stitches. On row 3, you pick that strand up and slip it over the stitch, then work the stitch as usual.
October 5th, 2012 at 3:58 pm
are 10″ needles ok, or will the stitches be too cramped?
October 28th, 2012 at 7:29 pm
If I want to make it a little wider and add another repeat of the pattern, how many stitches should I add?
October 28th, 2012 at 8:21 pm
The repeat is 8 stitches.
October 29th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
Yay, I’ve just found my next project! I am just finishing a patterned scarf that’s a similar skill level, but uses ssk’s and yo’s, so now with this pattern I’ll learn the “pick up” stitch. I may graduate from “beginner” level yet! Oh, and I love your description of “knit-worthy (or not!) people! Thanks for posting this pattern
October 29th, 2012 at 6:57 pm
I agreed with Shana, it is difficult to figure out line 3 and in the video the audio does not work, is so much easy to understand with sound, perhaps someone can correct this issue?
It seams pretty easy except for line 3.
Thanks
October 29th, 2012 at 8:16 pm
The sound was intentionally removed as all it was was needles clicking and breathing. If I were to narrate, I’d just be saying what the captions read. I’m sorry if its not clear enough but I have done my best to explain how to do it.
October 30th, 2012 at 2:13 pm
Nice scarf! I will have to try it with some expensive yarn I have saving for something special!
October 30th, 2012 at 2:56 pm
Saw the scarf on “All Free Knitting” and thought “think I’ll try that..like the way it looks.” So click and a story begins. Now I’m wondering where this is going. By the end, you had me hooked… Thanks for sharing the pattern; but most of all for sharing “your thoughts.” I think it’s really neat!
October 30th, 2012 at 10:38 pm
When I watched your video, it looked like sometimes you were knitting in the front of the stitch and sometimes in the back. Were my eye deceiving me? (Sometime they do!) I ask because I know that that can change the look of the knitting.
Thanks for your video. It always helps me to see something being done when I haven’t done it before.
November 1st, 2012 at 3:09 pm
I love this pattern and it will be my next project. I watched the video and it gave me a good understanding of how to do the pick up. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to the next one.
November 1st, 2012 at 4:47 pm
I just found two balls of yarn I had on hand that are bamboo and wool, perfect for this pattern and just started it. This pattern is so easy I just looked at it and knit away. I wasn’t sure about the line 3 at first either but just went ahead and got going. I am a visual person so that helps.
Thanks, finally something new that isn’t full of holes and long instructions!
November 5th, 2012 at 4:20 pm
They are normal knit stitches. I have been told that since I hold my yarn in the left hand, instead of the right, the stitches sit differently on the needle than they do for others. It’s the risk of being self-taught, I guess.
November 5th, 2012 at 9:55 pm
having trouble printing out these patterns??? Thanks ahead of time
November 10th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
it looks as if you are knitting through the back of the stitch. watched this several times and it is definitely not the usual way to knit a knit stitch. your instructions do not indicate to knit through the back. please specify. thanking you in advance for the clarifying and for the pattern.
November 10th, 2012 at 8:51 pm
as I stated in the comment above, it is normal stockinette stitch
November 11th, 2012 at 7:29 am
I seem to be collecting scarf patterns lately. They are such a nice way of trying out new patterns and stitches. I just worked up a swatch with this pattern and as soon as I get home I have some lovely wool I am going to use to make this up. Really enjoyed your blog comments. Bahaha sounds like me! Why is it that I work til I sweat blood on something and then I never ‘like’ it on me. My family loves to have me knit and crochet haha I swear sometime I will keep something! And your right I think of it as a reason to knit and I know the giftee has got to love it or be guilty of horrendous unappreciation LOL!
November 11th, 2012 at 9:37 am
Hi,
Very attractive.
What is the finished width of this scarf? And what is the multiple, in case I want to change it?
November 11th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
Enjoyed your blog. You might want to think about writing as more than an outlet or a space filler on the ‘puter – but don’t stop knitting or writing patterns. You have a knack for that, too. As for not liking what you have knit, I’ve found that if I put my creation in a drawer for a couple of years and then “happen” upon it while “searching” for something else, I sometimes discover a new-found appreciation for it. Well, it works for me. But then I like playing games with myself, too.
November 14th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Omg, as usual I thought I was the only one who felt this way. “Emotional bombing!” That is so me! Your writing skill is mesmerizing and your patterns are adorable. If you ever need a new best friend, keep me in mind.
November 18th, 2012 at 2:44 am
Love the pattern and the patter… a pleasure to read and a smile returns each time. Thank you.. as JENNIFER REID
says above in her closing…!!!
December 3rd, 2012 at 5:17 pm
Beautiful work. Have you considered donating to charities to auction off?
It does no harm to attach a note saying how many hours and type of yarn used and whether it was crocheted or knitted for the ignorant. You are right too many do not appreciate the loving, thoughtful care put in hand made creations. Just have to take a bit of time to educate them where ever possible. But no matter the exercise for your finger is wonderful especially for those who will come down with arthritis or some such thing for it will enable one to continue using the aching fingers as well as strengthen them. There always are positive ways to look at things so do not be discouraged for any reason. The day may come when you will have to seriously consider “selling” your work and without an educated public to make the purchases we will be out of luck.
December 3rd, 2012 at 6:17 pm
I will never auction off handmade things, unless it’s one of those fancy ones where celebrities pay huge amounts for things. I learned this lesson at a young age when my mom’s baby quilt she spent hours on (not to mention supplies) was listed at $10 at a church auction, even after she tried to correct them. I’ll happily donate yarn to be auctioned off, but never, ever anything I made. I promised my Mom
December 3rd, 2012 at 11:41 pm
You know, it took me a while after looking at the video, to figure out where I got that one stitch to ‘pu’….LOL….I then realized the stitch that is picked up is simply the yarn that is held in front as you ‘slip 5′ … I finally figured that out, but printing this pattern was causing so much more frustration. I finally gave up on getting a good shot of the scarf on the beginning page, but the one showing you wearing the scarf is more than ok.
I felt so bad after hearing what that church bazaar did to your mom’s work…how they devalued her and the work she put in to that baby blanket. How cold and mean people can be.
I haven’t run across your blog or your patterns before…I will be saving your site as I agree with others about your writing ability.
Thank you for this scarf pattern…truly very easy, and I am just a little advanced beginner.
December 15th, 2012 at 11:14 am
Men seem to appreciate hand-knit items more than women. I give most of my gift-knitting to men actually because of that. They seem to lament the loss of things made with love and seem really uplifted to know that knitting isn’t a lost art.
Looks like a fantastic scarf! I hate scarves since they take so long but like the look of this.
December 15th, 2012 at 2:58 pm
Dear Shana, It’s difficult to find “Easy” patterns that aren’t dull and I really like this one. As for the person who made the “Walmart sells socks” remark: now you know that for the next special occasion to go to Walmart, buy a cheap pair of socks, wrap (funny papers work nicely), and give. Or just cross name off list. I think you rock.
January 7th, 2013 at 12:33 pm
on row 3 the yarn was pu and put in front on knit st do you drop it again or knit together
January 29th, 2013 at 2:25 am
Shana,
Add my voice/vote for you to keep writing!
When I clicked on MEN’S SCARF I expected to get some dry pattern instructions. Instead I got an affirmation of my own ideas about who is “knit worthy!”
I am a beginning beginner and look forward to tackling this pattern in the near future. Thanks for providing the wonderful photos and the video.
January 31st, 2013 at 11:09 am
I’ve watched you knit & it looks like you are knitting in the back loop of stitches, (just saying)…..Watched it again & you definetly are knitting into the backloop of the stitch, I’ve been knitting for 55 years & also hold my yarn in my left hand, you are supposed to go under(pick-up)the front loop. You are twisting your stitches, which by the way, creates a different look. Your scarf is beautiful.
February 1st, 2013 at 3:30 pm
I do knit through the back look, but my stitches are not twisted. Different method, same result.