Beginner-ish Garter Stitch Kerchief Scarf Pattern

This free beginner-ish kerchief scarf pattern is knit flat in garter stitch, tip to tip.

The Cozy Hour Kerchief pattern starts as a single stitch that grows into a skinny scarf that ends in a single stitch too. Knit holding two yarns together all the way through – one lace weight & one bulky weight – for a fuzzy, halo glow. It knits up quick, too. Wrap it around your neck, tuck the tails through each other, and you’re done. No pins, no buttons, no hassle.

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About the Pattern

Available Sizes: One size fits most
Pattern Format: Written Pattern, No Chart
Pattern Language: English
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner
PDF Format: Printer Friendly
Pattern Name: Cozy Hour

How the Construction Works

The Cozy Hour Kerchief is worked flat in garter stitch as a single piece, knit tip to tip. You cast on just one stitch and increase every few rows until you reach the full width. From there, you knit straight for the long middle section with no further shaping – just garter stitch, row after row. Once you reach your desired length, you decrease the same way you increased, narrowing back down to a single stitch at the other end. There’s no seaming and no finishing beyond weaving in your ends and steam-blocking.

What Skills You Need to Knit This Pattern

This beginner-ish kerchief pattern uses the following knitting techniques:

Knit Flat – worked back and forth on circular needles, not in the round
Knit Stitches – no purl stitches used
Increases & Decreases – used to create the tips

Knit Flat – worked back and forth on straight or circular needles, not in the round
Knit Stitches – no purl stitches used
Clean Edge – a simple slipped-stitch edge along both sides for a tidy, finished look
Increases & Decreases – simple increase and decrease stitches to shape the tips
Yarn Held Double – knit with two strands together throughout, one lace weight and one bulky weight yarns

What You’ll Need to Knit This Pattern – Needles & Notions

US 10.5 (6.5mm) Knitting Needles
Stitch Markers (Optional)
Scissors
Darning Needle

What Yarn Works Best for This Pattern

Yarn Weight: Lace & Bulky (held double throughout)

Suggested Lace Yarn: Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk Worsted, Light Beige
Yardage: 98 – 104 yards (90 – 95 meters)

Suggested Bulky Yarn: Knit Picks Swish Bulky, Nutmeg Heather
Yardage: 115 – 120 yards (105 – 110 meters)

Yarn Substitute Options:

Originally knit holding Drops Brushed Alpaca Silk (lace weight) together with Knit Picks Swish Bulky (bulky weight).

I’ll be honest with you: I haven’t found a substitute for the brushed mohair that comes close. Its halo is thick, soft, and almost feather-like in a way that’s hard to replicate — most “fuzzy” yarns I’ve tried are either too thin, too scratchy, or just don’t have the same dramatic glow. If you can get your hands on a true brushed mohair or brushed alpaca-silk blend, I’d encourage you to use it. It really is the heart of this pattern.

The bulky yarn is a little trickier to substitute than it sounds. Despite being labeled “bulky,” Knit Picks Swish Bulky knits up more like a light bulky or heavy worsted weight yarn — this is common with Knit Picks’ yarn weight labeling. If you substitute with a true chunky or super bulky yarn, your gauge and finished width will be noticeably different. Look for a soft, smooth wool or wool-blend yarn on the lighter end of bulky (closer to worsted) for the best match.

Because both yarns can vary so much from what their labels suggest, swatching before you commit is especially important here. Knit a small section held double with your chosen yarns, steam it, and compare it to the gauge below before casting on for the full pattern.

Check out Yarnsub’s for more yarn substitutions.

Gauge for This Knitting Pattern

Gauge Guide: This visual reference can help you compare your fabric and gauge.

14 STS & 19 rows per 4” (10cm) square, knit flat in garter stitch after steaming, using US 10.5 (6.5mm) circular needles.

What Size is the Sample in the Photos?

Measurements: 5″ wide x 51″ long (13cm x 130cm)
Weight: 3.4oz (95g)

Before You Begin – Quick Notes

• This pattern is knit flat, back and forth – not in the round
• Reversible – there’s no right or wrong side
• Knit holding two yarns together throughout – one lace weight, one bulky weight
• Steam block when finished – this will add a little length and soften the stitches for a relaxed drape

Knitting Abbreviations

*– * – repeat between the asterisks
CO – cast-on (long-tail cast-on method)
INC1 – make 1 stitch (I used a backwards loop)
K – knit stitches (K1 means to knit 1 stitch)
KFB — Knit front and back
K1TBL – knit 1 stitch through the back loop
K2TOG — Knit 2 together
PSSO – pass slipped stitch over
RS – right side
S1PW – slip one stitch purl-wise
SKP – slip 1 stitch purl-wise, knit the next stitch, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch
STS – stitches
WS – wrong side
WYIF – with yarn in front

Download & Print this Pattern

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Kerchief Pattern Instructions

Knit holding 2 yarns together (one lace yarn and one bulky yarn)

CO 1 stitch

Row 1 (RS): KFB

Row 2 (WS): WYIF S1PW, INC1, WYIF S1PW

Row 3 (RS): K1TBL, K1, K1TBL

Row 4 (WS): WYIF S1PW, K1, WYIF S1PW

Row 5 (RS): K1TBL, K1, K1TBL

Row 6 (WS): WYIF S1PW, K1, WYIF S1PW

Row 7 (RS): K1TBL, INC1, K1, INC1, K1TBL

Row 8 (WS): WYIF S1PW, K3, WYIF S1PW

Row 9 (RS): K1TBL, K3, K1TBL

Row 10 (WS): WYIF S1PW, K3, WYIF S1PW

Row 11 (RS): K1TBL, K3, K1TBL

Row 12 (WS): WYIF S1PW, K3, WYIF S1PW

Row 13 (RS): K1TBL, INC1, K3, INC1, K1TBL

Row 14 (WS): WYIF S1PW, *K*, WYIF S1PW

Row 15 (RS): K1TBL, *K*, K1TBL

Row 16 (WS): WYIF S1PW, *K*, WYIF S1PW

Row 17 (RS): K1TBL, *K*, K1TBL

Row 18 (WS): WYIF S1PW, *K*, WYIF S1PW

Row 19 (RS): K1TBL, *K*, K1TBL

Row 20 (WS): WYIF S1PW, *K*, WYIF S1PW

Row 21 (RS): K1TBL, *K*, K1TBL

Row 22 (WS): WYIF S1PW, *K*, WYIF S1PW

Row 23 (RS): K1TBL, INC1, *K*, INC1, K1TBL

Repeat rows 14-23, for 16″ (after steaming), or until you have 19 STS on your needles (5″ width), or desired width.

Middle:

Row 24 (WS): WYIF S1PW, *K*, WYIF S1PW

Row 25 (RS): K1TBL, *K*, K1TBL

Repeat rows 24-25, 48 times or until 38″ from beginning tip (after steaming), or desired length.

Next Row (WS): WYIF S1PW, *K*, WYIF S1PW

Decrease:

Row 1 (RS): K1TBL, SKP, *K*, last 3 STS: K2TOG, K1TBL

Row 2 (WS): WYIF S1PW, *K*, WYIF S1PW

Row 3 (RS): K1TBL, *K*, K1TBL

Row 4 (WS): WYIF S1PW, *K*, WYIF S1PW

Row 5 (RS): K1TBL, *K*, K1TBL

Row 6 (WS): WYIF S1PW, *K*, WYIF S1PW

Row 7 (RS): K1TBL, *K*, K1TBL

Row 8 (WS): WYIF S1PW, *K*, WYIF S1PW

Row 9 (RS): K1TBL, *K*, K1TBL

Row 10 (WS): WYIF S1PW, *K*, WYIF S1PW

Repeat rows 1-10 until you have 7 STS on your needles

Bottom Tip:

Row 1 (RS): K1TBL, SKP, K1, K2TOG, K1TBL (5 STS remaining)

Row 2 (WS): WYIF S1PW, K3, WYIF S1PW

Row 3 (RS): K1TBL, K3, K1TBL

Row 4 (WS): WYIF S1PW, K3, WYIF S1PW

Row 5 (RS): K1TBL, K3, K1TBL

Row 6 (WS): WYIF S1PW, K3, WYIF S1PW

Row 7 (RS): K1TBL, S1PW, K2TOG, PSSO, K1TBL (3 STS remaining)

Row 8 (WS): WYIF S1PW, K1, WYIF S1PW

Row 9 (RS): K1TBL, K1, K1TBL

Row 10 (WS): WYIF S1PW, K1, WYIF S1PW

Row 11 (RS): K1TBL, K1, K1TBL

Row 12 (WS): WYIF S1PW, K1, WYIF S1PW

Row 13 (RS): S1PW, K2TOG, PSSO (1 stitch remaining)

How to Finish the Cozy Hour Kerchief

Cut the yarn leaving a 6″ tail, pull the tail through the remaining stitch to secure.

Weave in the ends.

Steam-block lightly, which will add a little length, helps smooth out uneven tension and soften the stitches for a beautifully relaxed drape.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Is this pattern good for beginners? Yes. The Cozy Hour Kerchief is a great project if you’re past the basics and comfortable with simple increases and decreases. There’s no chart to follow and no shaping beyond the tips.

What does it mean to knit holding two yarns together? You knit with two strands at once, treating them as if they were one yarn — in this case, one lace weight strand and one bulky weight strand. This creates the soft, fuzzy halo glow throughout the fabric.

Is this pattern reversible? Yes. There’s no right or wrong side, so it looks just as good no matter how it twists or folds when worn.

Do I need to block this pattern? Yes. Steam blocking is recommended over wet blocking here. It will add a little length, smooth out uneven tension, and soften the stitches for a relaxed drape.

How long does this pattern take to knit? Since it’s knit flat in garter stitch with a long, unshaped middle section, it moves quickly once you’re past the first few rows of shaping at the tip.

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