Your step-by-step guide to knitting the Rachel Scarf
Hey there, stitch superstar! You’ve just unlocked the secret sauce to making your very own Rachel Scarf — and we’re excited to be stitching it out with you.
This guide will be your BFF through the entire journey. Whether you’re brand new to knitting or just here for a refresh, we’ll take you from “how do I hold these sticks?” to “look what I made!” — one cozy row at a time.
Firstly, let's look at what's covered in this blog.
INCLUDED IN YOUR KIT
Your kit comes with everything you need to make your masterpiece. Inside your drawstring bag you'll find:
🕺 15mm needles |
We'll use 15mm needles (or sticks as we like to say!) for this pattern. |
🧶 2 x balls Cardigang Chunky Yarn in colour 1 and 1 x ball in colour 2 |
In either Everyday or Premium depending on your order. |
👆 A darning needle |
To sew your masterpiece together. |
🤓 Your printed pattern |
We assume you've got that since you made it here! |
🫶 A 'Made By Me' tag |
You can sew into your finished knit. |
You'll also want to have a pair of scissors, a pen and a tape measure handy.
Let’s Start with Some Practise
Before we dive into the good stuff, let’s warm up those hands and needles. Think of this like stretching before a workout — except comfier, cuter, and way more fun.
Grab some of the yarn from your kit (just a little, you’ve got enough to spare!), and get familiar with the motions. Try out the stitches you’ll be using in this pattern. This is your time to mess it up, try again, and feel things out — no pressure, no judgement, just you and your new fave hobby.
Bonus: practising now = fewer headaches later (trust us on this one).
Here’s what you’ll need to know for this pattern — we’ve linked each tutorial so you can follow along step-by-step:
Take your time, replay the videos as many times as you need, and don’t stress if it feels a little awkward at first — every knitter starts here 💖
Time to Test Your Gauge
Once you’re feeling comfy with the stitches, it’s time to check your gauge. We know, we know — it sounds technical, but it’s really just about making sure your tension matches the pattern.
Why? Because different knitters = different stitch tightness. And we want your finished masterpiece to end up just the right size.
So grab your measuring tape, knit up a little swatch (there’s a guide for that at the link below!), and let’s make sure you’re on track before the main event begins.
THE RACHEL SCARF
If done correctly, your 10x10cm knitted swatch should be 7 stitches wide and 11 rows high when knitted in garter stitch on your 15mm needles.
FAQs A.K.A. Fast Answers, Quick!
⚡ No time to purl? We got speedy support for you over on our FAQs page. No gatekeeping, no silly questions — just fast, friendly help to keep you stitching with confidence. It's the best place to go to get answers quick-smart so you'll be knitting again in a flash.
Ready to take your knitting and crochet game to the next level?
Join The Cardigang Click on Facebook. It’s THE place to share your creations, ask for advice, and get inspired by fellow yarn lovers. Whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, you’ll find a supportive and fun community eager to help and cheer you on.
Stitch out in style.
Whether you’re deep in a knitflix binge or vibing with your needles on a Sunday arvo, we’ve curated the ultimate Spotify playlists to match your mood and your project. From mellow loops to main-character anthems, it’s the soundtrack to your next DIY moment.
Let's Knit Up A storm
SCARF
STEP 1:
Using your 15mm needles cast on the correct number of stitches.
💭 You can use straight or circular needles to knit this scarf - either way the technique won't change. If you're using circular needles, the stitches will run down onto the tube connecting your needles.
STEP 2:
We start with a 1x1 rib stitch. To create a rib stitch pattern, we knit 1 stitch, then purl the next, then knit the next, then purl the next and repeat.
🧶 Make sure you’re moving your yarn tail from the back to the front of your work between each stitch (bring the yarn in through the middle of the needles) to ensure the rib is executed correctly.
STEP 3:
We'll knit the majority of our scarf in seed stitch. Seed stitch is a bouncy, textured stitch pattern that looks like tiny little seeds scattered across your fabric (cute, right?). It’s created by alternating knit and purl stitches—so it’s perfect if you’ve already nailed your basics and want to try something a little more textured.
💭 Unlike rib stitch (which stacks knits on top of knits), seed stitch switches it up each row, creating a lovely bumpy texture that’s great for scarves, trims, or even full jumpers if you’re feeling bold.
STEP 4:
Time to do our first colour change! We do these at the end of the row so make sure you've got enough yarn left in the first ball to complete a row before changing.
STEP 5:
For this last third of our scarf we'll start counting our rows to ensure we've got enough yarn left for our rib stitch and cast off row.
💭 One of the things we found the hardest when we were learning to knit was keeping track of our rows. Before we were able to easily identify a row of stitches we used a pen and paper to keep track. That's why we've included handy circles in our patterns - you can tick them off as you go.
STEP 6:
We'll finish with another 4 rows of rib stitch.
STEP 7:
Cast off your stitches!
When you've got just one stitch left on your right needle, simply cut your yarn from the ball (leaving about 20cm) and thread it back through your last stitch to secure it.
The last thing we do is weave in any loose ends in the scarf - from where a new ball was joined mid-way through a row or where you encountered a knot in the yarn. You use your darning needle and weave those ends back into the scarf so they are nicely hidden away.
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.
WEAR, SHARE AND FLAUNT YOUR MASTERPIECE
You stitched it. You slayed it. Now it’s time to share it! 💖 Tag us @cardigang_knits so we can lose our minds over your masterpiece. Compliments guaranteed. 💅🧶
