The Kennedy Scarf
A step-by-step guide to knitting the gorgeous Kennedy Scarf
Ever gotten halfway through a project and thought “Hang on, am I even doing this right?” We have 🙋♀️
That’s why we’ve created these step-by-step guides to walk you through the knitting process.
Even if you've never knitted before, we'll take you from zero to knitting hero in no time 🦸♀️
When it comes to knitting, practice makes perfect
Before we get started on the pattern we suggest you spend a bit of time learning the basic techniques you’ll need to complete your masterpiece. The good news? You only need to learn one stitch type!
The Kennedy Scarf is a dream to knit up and the perfect winter accessory. She's made using all knit stitches so you'll want to be confident with the knit stitch before we start. You'll also want to get a hang of tying a slip knot and casting on your stitches which is the first step in any knitting project.
You can use the yarn that came in your kit to practice with. Once you've got these mastered you'll fly through your scarf.
Total beginner? 👩🏫
For a more comprehensive lesson on the basics of knitting visit our Learn How To Knit page.
🥣 Test your tension
While we're practising and before you start your project, you'll want to make sure your tension (how tightly or loosely your knitting is) is juuuust right. We do this by knitting a “tension swatch”. It's a bit like goldilocks, if the tension is too tight, your piece will be too small, and if it's too loose it may not hold its shape and might be too big.
Gauge: If done correctly, your 10x10cm knitted swatch should be 7 stitches wide and 10 rows high when knitted in garter (knit) stitch on your 15mm needles.
To test this, jump on your needles - use the yarn and needles that came in your kit. Cast on around 12-14 stitches, then knit in garter stitch (knit all stitches in each row) for around 12-14 rows. Then measure a 10x10cm square and count your stitches and rows within that space to make sure you're knitting at the correct tension.
If you've got more stitches or rows than the instructions say you should have, your knitting is a little too tight, and if you've got less your knitting is too loose. Adjust your tension by holding the yarn a little more tightly/loosely as you knit.
Onto the scarf!
⚡️What you'll need
Your kit comes with everything you'll need to make your masterpiece. In your kit you'll find;
- 15mm needles
- 4 balls of Cardigang Chunky Merino Wool
- A darning needle
- Made by me tag
You also want to have a pair of scissors handy.
📏 Measurements
Your finished scarf will measure approximately 205cm long and 48cm wide.
🧶 Let's knit our way to cosy-town!
Time to get click-clacking and whip up your warm-as-toast scarf.
Remember learning a new skill can be a little challenging at first, and you’re bound to find yourself making some mistakes along the way. But as with learning anything, your brain and your hands slowly start to get the hang of it, muscle memory is created, and soon the thing you found tricky/daunting/scary is like second nature! 💪
Follow the instructions in your pattern to make sure you're casting on the right number of stitches and then you'll knit, knit, knit your scarf.
If you need a reminder of the techniques, just head back up the page and watch the videos again.
Tassel Time!
Once you've knitted your scarf you'll use the remaining yarn to add tassels. These are optional and feel free to rock your scarf tassel-free if you wish 😁
To make the tassels you'll need to cut 64 lengths all 30cm in length. We're then going to thread a single length into the end of each stitch. Let's get to work!
Fold the length in half and push it (loop first) through the middle of the first stitch on the cast-off end of the scarf. Open the loop and pull the ends of the length back through it, then pull the secure. That's one tassel done!
Now repeat for every stitch on both ends of your scarf.
D.O.N.E! You've finished your scarf, well done! Epic work 🤩 If this was your first-ever knitting project or one of many, we hope you had a blast click-clacking and making your masterpiece 💥❤️
Make it a set with the Grace beanie!
Make it a cosy set by pairing your Kennedy Scarf with the Grace Beanie. You've got the knitting skills, let's put them to the test!
In a bind and need a little more help?
Email us at stitchup@cardigang.com.au and we'll be able to help! Whether you're just starting out, or you've got a specific question or problem (dropped a stitch, no stress!), we're here to get you out of a bind.
