How to save money and acquire bragging rights
As can be seen around campus on any given day – the circle scarf is a trend that isn’t going anywhere. Part of me is happy about this, because as much as my boyfriend mocks me for wearing scarves indoors, I freaking love circle scarves. However, another part of me dies a bit inside every time one of my friends mentions dropping 40 dollars or more on one of these things. When I was four years old, my grandma taught me to knit, and I have to say, it has been the most useful of the hobbies I’ve picked up over the years. If I ever find myself wanting a scarf that would cost me the equivalent of a full day’s work, I just grab some yarn and some needles and knit one for a tenth of the cost.
I recognize that not everyone is crafty, and I also recognize that some people are not yet comfortable embracing their inner 80-year-old. However, I also recognize that (hopefully) everyone loves saving money. So, before you write this off completely, think about all of the money that could remain in your bank account if you just put down the debit card and picked up some grandma skills.
To learn the actual knitting part, I recommend you look up the awesome videos that exist on YouTube. In the interim, here is my best attempt at explaining the process,
K – Knit Stitch
1. Put RH needle through the loop (stitch) to the back. Your needles will now be crossed, with the RH needle in the back, and the stitch will be around both needles.
2. Take the yarn in your right hand; bring it around the RH needle, then pull it in-between the RH and LH needles.
3. With the back RH needle, go over the yarn that is now in-between the RH and LH needles, and then under and through the stitch. This should bring the stitch over the RH needle. Continue for all stitches.
CO – Cast On:
1. A cast on stitch is the same as a knit stitch, save the ending. Instead of allowing the stitch to move from the LH needle to the RH needle, you pull the stitch from the RH needle and place it on the LH needle to add a stitch.
BO – Bind Off:
1. Knit two stitches.
2. Bring the first stitch over the second and off of the needle.
3. Knit one more stitch.
4. Repeat step two.
5. Repeat until one stitch remains; cut yarn and thread end through final stitch, and pull tightly to finish.
I’m sure that looks really complicated, but I promise, once you actually get the hang of knitting, this will seem ridiculously easy. Now, for the actual pattern.
Knit Circle Scarf Pattern
You will need:
Two balls of any yarn from any place
One pair of knitting needles, preferably US size 8 or above (the bigger the needle, the faster the process)
1. CO 45 stitches.
2. K until pieces measures approximately 48 inches. (*Note: you can have a shorter scarf than this. This length simply allows for maximum comfy factor)
3. BO all stitches.
4. With a needle and thread, sew the ends of the piece together, being careful not twist the piece in the process.
5. Voila! A circle scarf! Money has been saved, and bragging rights have been acquired. Enjoy!