XOXO

It depends. What size needles are you using? (A size 8 will take longer than a size 11.) And how often are you working on it? And what stitch are you using? (Certain stitches 'eat yarn' more and feel like they're taking longer. A garter stitch scarf will take longer than one knit in stockinette.) Also, scarves do take a while. If you work consistently at it, you should definately be finished by the summer. (Probably sooner)

Are you purling the whole scarf? It will come out in garter stitch if you do. (The same as if you knit every row.)

You need to check your gauge if your scarf isn't coming out the size you want. The gauge is the number of stitches it takes to make up an inch in your pattern. You are supposed to knit a swatch (in your desired pattern) prior to starting your project to see what your gauge is. If you are off, then you try adjusting your needle size up or down to get the desired size. This is very important when knitting a garment because it won't come out the size you want if you don't have the correct gauge.

For your purpose- Take a scarf that you like. Measure the width. Check the gauge that you are currently knitting in. Rip out what you're working on and start over. Cast on the number of stitches that will come out to the width that you want.

Example: Your gauge = 5 stitches to an inch. You want your scarf to be 20 inches, so you cast on 100 stitches.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks for the advice. I ripped up one and started another. I read the package this time which told me how many stitches to the inch. It's coming out much better and i am knitting much faster. I am doing the whole thing in the purl stitch because it is the easiest one for me. It looks good so far but i'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks again!!!

I would also love, once i'm better, to make one of those hand bags that is knitted and has the round wooden handle. Any advice on making those??? Where to a buy the handle from??

I haven't made any bags. I mostly made sweaters. (With the occasional hat or scarf thrown in. I made them with the yarn that I have left over.)

If you want to make one, I would check out some knitting books. Borders has a scarf section. One of the books might have pattern. Or you can ask in a knitting store. The women that work there generally know a lot about patterns and were to find them.

I'm not really sure about the handle. That might be a hard item to find. Certain things are. My mom and I are having a lot of trouble finding a zipper for a sweater that I made. Not very many places carry them. And I want a really nice brass color one.

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Posted by thiadora
Knitters are notorious for ripping out projects if they aren't coming out right. So don't feel bad if you have to start something over. We all do some times.

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Absolutely! Just close your eyes and pull. It will unravel faster than you realize and it won't hurt as much. LOL!

I'm sure I don't have to tell you that the style is very narrow and long. The girls fold them in half and loop them through - much like a noose. I made one for my daughter in a bulky yarn and a 10 1/2 needle. It was only 4 inches wide but very long. She LOVED it and it went really fast. I just started one for my granddaughter last night and I'm going to put it in with her Christmas presents. She's only 3, so it will go fast.

I finished my 1st scarf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But.....it's alittle short. I used up all the yarn and didn't buy extra since i had no idea how long a scarf the yarn would make. Now i know for next time.

Any other tips????

I always buy much more than I anticipate - even two skeins. You can always return yarn but you won't always find the same dye lot #. Plus you may want to make something to match it. They do have no match yarns now that have consistent colors without dye lots. I would need to check the softness and feel though, before I recommend it.

OH - congratulations! What a nice feeling to finish your first one.

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Posted by KL805

I finished my 1st scarf!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

But.....it's alittle short. I used up all the yarn and didn't buy extra since i had no idea how long a scarf the yarn would make. Now i know for next time.

Any other tips????

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Congratulations.

I use a lot of my left over yarn to make scarves and hats. If you don't have enough yarn and can't get the same die lot, you can also add another color. Or you could also add fringe. It will make it seem longer. If the die lot is different, it probably won't matter.

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Or you could also add fringe. It will make it seem longer. If the die lot is different, it probably won't matter.

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How do you make your fringe? How many strands do you tie together and how long do you make them?

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Posted by LImom

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Or you could also add fringe. It will make it seem longer. If the die lot is different, it probably won't matter.

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How do you make your fringe? How many strands do you tie together and how long do you make them?

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Fringe is very easy. There is really no set way to do it. The number of strands I use depends on how thick the yarn is.

It's kind-of hard to explain in works, but I'll try. This link will give you an idea of how it is done.

Link to fringe

Thanks for the link to the fringe. It doesn't seem hard at all. I will definitely try it on my next scarf.
Do you have any ideas on making the Sideways garter stitch scarf on that same page. It says to use a circular needle (have been wanting to try that!), but it doesn't tell how to change colors. There must be an easier way than cutting and tying three colors of yard on each row. Imagine doing that? LOL!!!