I knit this (flaw-ridden) scarf in a K3, P2 ribbing.

boyfriend a wonderful scarf in hunter green for Christmas. I’m not sure I’ll be able to deliver on my promise as I can’t choose a pattern and run with it. I’ve already scrapped three patterns! It’s not like they were horrible, ugly patterns; it’s just that as I was knitting them, I couldn’t imagine Matthew wearing a scarf like that. But I’ve finally found one that will suit him.

So, here’s some advice for knitting a guy’s scarf.

Ribbing

Ribbing is very easy and always looks good. It follows a “k2, p3, repeat and knit the knits, purl the purls on the wrong side” pattern. The number depend on how wide you want your ribs to be. If you don’t like your ribs to be straight, you could always make them diagonal. There’s a pattern for it on Ralvery if you’d like to see: Staggered rib scarf by Suzie Blackman.

Linen Stitch

A linen stitch creates a piece that looks similar to woven fabric. It looks very neat. I’m knitting Matt’s scarf in this.  The pattern goes: Row 1- K1, slip 1 with yarn in front, repeat and end with K1; Row 2 – P1, slip 1 with yarn in back, repeat and end with P1.

Stockinette

One of the basic stitches. Stockinette is one of my personal favorites, and it looks pretty good when it’s allowed to roll up. The stitch is done knit across row one, purl across row two, repeat those rows. If you want something more interesting to knit or look at or both, you can add some stripes, or some fair isle, or something. If you want, you can also get a yarn that changes colors, creating a color pattern in the work.

Cables! (Image via Wikipedia)

Cabling

So, cabling requires (suprise!) a cable needle. But I say, forget that! I use a stitch holder and sometimes a pencil. Yes, it’s
so much more difficult, but it produces the same result. Cabling is a technique in knitting that produces a twisting sort of design. Not the clearest of definitions, but I’ve provided a lovely photo for you.  The

only problem I have with it is that this isn’t reversible. The back of the work isn’t very attractive. But if you’re totally fine with that, then go for it. Cables are beautiful and they don’t always cross-over. They can be worked to form diamonds, and snake-y looking pieces, and all sorts of things.

Reversible

You have to remember that both sides of a scarf tend to be visible. So finding a pattern that’s reversible is important. Of course, this isn’t necessary at all.

This doesn’t cover everything you have to think about when knitting a scarf for your guy friend. There’s all sorts of other things to consider: length, color, are you going to put buttons on it, will it have a keyhole, is it a cowl sort of thing. But in the end, I find that people appreciate the effort you put into making a scarf anyway.