How to Knit a Sweater Scarf – Free Beginner Pattern
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Yes, you can absolutely knit this!
This cozy sweater scarf looks impressive, but it’s truly a beginner-friendly project. You’ll knit one long rectangle — just like a scarf — with one simple increase and one decrease row to shape the body. Then, you’ll seam the ends to form sleeves. That’s it. If you can knit and purl, you can create this stylish, wearable piece that’s as fun to make as it is to wear. Perfect for beginners who are ready to try their first handmade garment — no complicated shaping required.
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What does Apricity mean?
“Apricity is more permanent, long-lasting and deeper. It doesn’t rely on a fickle or weak source of warmth but the eternal, powerful sun. It represents more than a feeling: it is an idea of survival and life in the midst of struggle and darkness.“
– Ashlyn Peralta, John Hopkins Newsletter
What is a Sweater Scarf?
A sweater scarf — also known as a scarf sweater or scarf with sleeves — is a cozy hybrid between a wrap and a cardigan. It’s typically knit in a long rectangular shape, like a scarf, with the addition of sleeves on each end. The result is a soft, drapey layer that you can wear like a sweater but knit with the simplicity of a scarf. It’s a great first step into garment knitting because there’s minimal shaping and seaming, and the final piece looks effortlessly stylish.
Wrap the scarf around once to create the cross in the front or back, depending on your style.
💛 Why Knitters Love Scarf Sweaters:
- ✅ Beginner-friendly construction – simple stitches, minimal shaping
- 🧶 Looks more advanced than it is – impressive results with basic skills
- 🧥 Cozy, wearable design – feels like a hug you can wear
- ⏳ Quick to finish – no sleeves to pick up, no complicated seams
- 🎁 Makes a thoughtful handmade gift – seven sizes to choose from
✨ Why You’ll Love Knitting This
This project is the definition of cozy simplicity. You’ll fall into the soothing rhythm of knit and purl stitches, watching your progress grow quickly thanks to the chunky yarn. It’s the kind of knit that doesn’t demand your full attention — just enough to keep your hands moving and your mind relaxed. Whether you’re knitting it on a quiet weekend or squeezing in a few rows between errands, this is the kind of project that feels as good to make as it does to wear.
About the Pattern
Available Sizes: Seven (XS – 3XL)
Pattern Format: Written Pattern, No Chart
Pattern Language: English
Skill Level: Advanced Beginner*
Pattern Name: Apricity
Materials You’ll Need
- Super Bulky Weight Yarn – I used Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick, or whatever yarn you want to be wrapped up in this when it’s done!
- US 13 (9mm) Circular Needles – straight or circular, whichever you’re most comfortable using.
- US 15 (10mm) Circular Needles with a 24″ (60cm) Cable, this is for the body section, which has more stitches. You can try using straight needles, but it will be a tight fit, but you might be able to get away with it if your straight needles are long enough.
- Scissors – Always handy!
- Darning Needle or Tapestry Needle for seaming the sleeves
🧵 Yarn Substitution Guide
You don’t have to use the exact yarn I did — here are some cozy, beginner-approved alternatives that work beautifully for this pattern. Just look for a super bulky weight yarn with a soft feel and good drape.
Acrylic + Easy-Care Options:
- Lion Brand Hometown Yarn – Soft, affordable, and widely available
- Yarn Bee Dream Supreme – Plush and squishy, great for sensitive skin
Wool or Wool-Blend Options:
- Rowan Big Wool – 100% wool with amazing bounce and stitch definition
- Cascade Yarns Pacific Chunky – Wool blend with a soft touch and gentle sheen
- Hobbii Umami – Fluffy and luxurious, with gorgeous color options
- Rico Designs Creative Twist – Lofty texture and beautifully soft feel
- Paintbox Yarns Wool Blend Super Chunky – A nice balance of wool and acrylic
💡 Tip: If you’re substituting, just make sure your yarn label says “super bulky” or check that the gauge matches the pattern (usually 2–2.5 sts per inch).
Check out Yarnsub’s for even more yarn substitutions suggestions.
📏 How Much Yarn Will You Need?
You’ll need about 324–591 yards (297–540 meters) of super bulky weight yarn, depending on the size you choose and how long you’d like your scarf-sweater to drape.
💡 Tip: If you’re between sizes or prefer extra coziness, go with the higher yardage to make sure you have enough.
Tips & Techniques
- You’ll only need basic stitches: This pattern uses simple knit and purl stitches. No shaping, no picking up stitches, no stress.
- You’ll knit one long rectangle: Think of it like knitting a chunky scarf with a little twist — there’s one increase row and one decrease row to shape the body.
- Stretchy sleeves for a comfy fit: The sleeves are worked in a simple rib stitch (knit 1, purl 1), giving them a soft stretch that helps them stay in place while keeping things cozy.
- Seaming is simple: Once you’re done knitting, you’ll fold and seam each end to create sleeves. A yarn needle and a little patience (and a movie on in the background to help keep you motivated) are all you need!
- Bulky yarn = quick wins: This project works up fast, so you’ll see progress quickly — perfect for beginners or weekend knitters.
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t worry if your rectangle isn’t “perfect.” The sweater scarf is forgiving, and the finished piece will look great with a little steaming and styling.
Gauge
13 STS & 10.25 rows per 4” (10cm) square, knit in the rib stitch.
The sweater scarf & model details as seen in the photo:
Model height: 5’9″ (175cm), weight: 130lbs (59kg), bust: 35″ (88cm), waist: 25″ (63cm).
# of CO stitches: 20
# of rows: about 256 row or 100″ (254cm) total width
Measurements, after blocking:
Body width: 18″ x 100″ wide (45 x 254cm)
Sleeve: 6″ x 17″ (15 x 43cm)
Weight: 1lb 5oz (660g)
Gauge: 13 STS & 10.25 rows per 4” (10cm) square, knit in the rib stitch.
Pattern Overview
This scarf sweater is knit flat in one long piece, starting with one sleeve, widening for the body, and finishing with the second sleeve. After binding off, you’ll fold the piece and seam the ends to create sleeves. That’s it!
It’s a wonderfully straightforward project that gives you the cozy satisfaction of a handmade garment — without the usual complexity.
What You’ll Practice:
- Knitting flat with super bulky yarn
- Rib stitch (K1, P1) for the sleeves
- Stockinette stitch for the body
- Simple shaping with increase and decrease rows
- Mattress stitch (or your favorite seam) to finish
This is a great next project if you’ve mastered scarves and want to try something wearable without jumping into sweaters just yet.
Styling Ideas
This scarf sweater is the ultimate layering piece — cozy like a blanket, but stylish enough to wear out and about. Here are a few of our favorite ways to wear it:
- Weekend casual: Layer over a tank or fitted long-sleeve tee with jeans and boots for an effortlessly relaxed look.
- Lounge mode: Pair it with leggings and warm socks for cozy mornings with coffee or movie nights on the couch.
- Out and about: Throw it on over a midi dress or tunic and leggings for a comfy, put-together outfit.
- Travel-ready: It’s the perfect lightweight extra layer for long car rides, flights, or weekend getaways.
- Seasonless staple: Knit it in wool for fall/winter or cotton blends for spring — you’ll find yourself reaching for it all year long.
🧶 Before You Cast On…
✔️ Purchase and download the pattern so you can knit offline
✔️ Check your yarn stash or choose your favorite cozy yarn
✔️ Grab your favorite tea, podcast, or playlist
✔️ Settle in and enjoy the process — one relaxing stitch at a time
💌 Ready to Get Started?
Do you enjoy working from a paper copy? Grab the downloadable, printer-friendly PDF if you prefer a clean, ad-free version to work from.
📥 Purchase & download the pattern from our shop.
📚 Save it to your Ravelry Library!
📌 Pin-it to Pinterest for later!
Size Chart for a Sweater Scarf
| Size | L” | x | W” | # of CO STS (width) | Length of body section | Skeins Needed | Meters Needed | Yards Needed |
| XS | 5.5 | x | 98 | 18 | 64″ | 4 | 306 | 335 |
| S | 6 | x | 100 | 20 | 66″ | 4 | 341 | 373 |
| M | 6.5 | x | 102 | 20 | 68″ | 4 | 377 | 412 |
| L | 7 | x | 104 | 22 | 70″ | 5 | 413 | 452 |
| XL | 7.5 | x | 108 | 24 | 74″ | 5 | 460 | 503 |
| 2XL | 8 | x | 110 | 26 | 76″ | 6 | 500 | 546 |
| 3XL | 8.5 | x | 112 | 28 | 78″ | 6 | 540 | 591 |
Notes
- Not reversible.
- Knit flat from side to side.
- Knit using the stockinette & rib stitch.
- Knit flat, back & forth on circular needles, which are used to accommodate the large number of stitches, do not join in the round.
- Keep in mind, I’m 5’9″, so if you’re knitting this for a 5’4″ person, you may want to take off a few inches in length, in the arms and/or body.
- The “Length of body section” measurements are AFTER I steamed it. I steamed it as I went, so I could try it on to make sure it fit correctly. Honestly, the stitches feel so much better after it’s been steamed too. 🙂 They were nice and relaxed and it felt like something I wanted to wear immediately, so it helped keep me excited to finish it.
- The “length” measurement is the width of the sleeve.
- The “width” measurement is the width of the whole scarf sweater from sleeve to sleeve, cast-on to bind-off edges.
Knitting Abbreviations
*– * – repeat between asterisks
BO – bind-off in pattern
CO – cast-on (long-tail cast-on method)
INC1 – increase 1 stitch (I used a backwards loop)
K – knit stitches (K1 means to knit 1 stitch)
K2TOG – knit 2 stitches together
P – purl stitches (P2 means to purl 2 stitches)
RS – right side
STS – stitches
WS – wrong side
Pattern Instructions
Using US13 (9mm) needles
CO the desired number of STS from the Size Chart above.
Sleeve Rib Section:
Rows 1-47: *K1, P1* approx. 17″ (it’ll loosen & stretch when steamed)
Increase Row:
Row 48 (RS): *INC1, K1, INC1, P1*
You should have twice as many stitches as you started with, so you should have 40 STS after the increase row.
First 6 rows of the body (stockinette stitch):
Row 49, 51, 53 (WS): *P*
Row 50, 52, 54 (RS): *K*
Body (stockinette stitch):
Switch to US 15 (10mm) needles
Row 55 (WS): *P*
Row 56 (RS): *K*
Repeat rows 55-56 until 64″, measuring the body section only, not from the beginning.
Last 6 rows of the body (stockinette stitch):
Switch back to US13 (9mm) needles
Knit in stockinette stitch for the next 6″.
Row 1, 3, 5 (WS): *P*
Row 2, 4, (RS): *K*
Decrease Row:
Row 6 (RS): *K2TOG* (knit 2 stitches together throughout the row.)
You should have the same number of stitches you cast-on.
Sleeve Rib Section (All Sizes):
Rows 1-47: *K1, P1* approx. 17″ (it’ll loosen & stretch when steamed)
BO in pattern.
Steam-block lightly. (before sewing the sleeves)
Lay it flat, with the wrong-side up, bring the first and last CO STS together, sew the side edges together of the sleeve section. Repeat on the BO side too.
Weave in the ends.
No blocking necessary.
More knitting patterns that you’ll love…
- Chunky Triangle Scarf Shawl – This triangle shawl is a quick knit with big style. Wrap yourself in cozy texture with just knit stitches and super bulky yarn.
- Modern Poncho Knitting Pattern – Knit a chic layer you’ll actually wear — no shaping, just two rectangles and simple seams. Perfect for beginners ready to level up.
- Infinity Scarf Knitting Pattern – This infinity scarf is soft, squishy, and beginner-approved. Knit it flat, seam it up, and wear it everywhere.
- Sweater & Top Knitting Patterns Bundle – Build your handmade wardrobe with cozy, confidence-boosting patterns. These beginner-friendly garments are stylish, wearable, and fun to knit.
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