How to End a Scarf: An Easy Step-By-Step Guide

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Shaleena Quinlan

Shaleena is a freelance writer and avid crafter. She knows how to work with her hands and enjoys seeing her beautiful creations. Her goal is to get more supplies for her crafting station. She wants to help you work on your next project, from crocheting to painting or even sewing. In her spare time, she enjoys farming and gardening.

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Whether you knit or crochet, scarves are an easy and classic project that both beginner and experienced crafters enjoy working on. The only problem that arises with this sort of project is how exactly to end a scarf.

It is not as though the sources on how to end a scarf are rare or difficult to find, it is much rather that there are dizzying amounts of tutorials and that teach how to end a scarf. Plus, there are ways to add extra little flourishes to the ends of scarves.

Because there are so many wonderful extras to add to the ends of scarves, we are going to have a lot of fun learning about each one and how to select one that will work for your specific project.

With all this excitement building, it’s time to venture into the world of scarves. Let’s learn how to start and finish the best scarf you’ve ever made.

Back to Basics

The first step to ending a scarf is to make either a final stitch or a final knit. Which one you do will depend on which type of yarn art you have selected for your project, ie, crochet or knit. Let’s get into the basic steps of how to end a scarf using each type of yarn art.

Crocheted Scarf

Choose any crochet scarf pattern that you want to create and when you get the final stitch, from the following:

1. Complete the final stitch as directed in your pattern
2. chain one
3. Pull up the chain loop so that it is approximately six inches long
4. Cut the chain loop in the middle
5. Pull the yarn tail tight so that a knot forms at the end of the pattern’s final stitch
6. Weave in the yarn tail

For those who are visual learners, watch this short video to make sure you fully understand how this process works.

knitted scarf

Choose any knit scarf pattern that you want to create and when you complete the final row, from the following:

1. Knit two stitches onto your right knitting needle
2. Grab the first of those two stitches with the left knitting needle and pull it over the second stitch (you should have only one stitch on your right knitting needles while the left knitting needle is still attached to the project)
3. Knit one stitch onto your right knitting needle
4. Grab the first of those two stitches with the left knitting needle and pull it over the second stitch (you should have only one stitch on your right knitting needles while the left knitting needle is still attached to the project)
5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 until all the stitches have been removed from your left knitting needle and you have one stitch remaining on your right knitting needle
6. Cut the yarn attached to the final stitch so that it is approximately ten inches long
7. Wrap the yarn tail around the tip of the knitting needle but above the final stitch
8. Pull the yarn tail loop through the final stitch
9. Pull and tighten the yarn tail loop so that it forms a knot at the end of the final stitch
10. Weave in the yarn tail

For those who are visual learners, watch this short video to make sure you fully understand how this process works.

Ending with Embellishment

You could very simply end your scarf by weaving in the yarn tail and letting the beauty of the scarf pattern speak for itself. Or, you could add some extra flourishes, add touches of embellishment if you will. 

Let’s look at some really fun and attractive ways to spice up the end of a scarf. By the way, these extras are not partial to crochet or knit; they love both yarn arts equally.

Tassels

These pieces of extra fringe are going to enhance the beauty of your scarf, especially if you play around with color. This embellishment allows you to be creative because it doesn’t have you into one color or length. When you consider how to use tassels to make your scarf uniquely yours, try one of the following options:

• Use colors for the tassel that are not in the scarf but complement the colors of the scarf
• Use a different color for each tassel
• Use two colors and combine them into each tassel
• Use two colors and make every other tassel a different color (example: the first tassel is red, second tassel is blue, third tassel is red, fourth tassel is blue and so on)
• Place tassels only on the corner stitches

If embellishing your scarf with tassels is interesting to you, get out a crochet hook (even if the scarf is knitted) and get ready to work some yarn magic. Here are the steps for creating amazing tassels:

1. Cut the yarn to the length you would like the tassels to be (keep in mind that the tassels will be approximately half the length of the yarn strands that you cut
2. Fold the yarn strands in half so that the touch ends and there is a loop in the middle
3. Place the middle of the yarn strand loop next to a stitch on the end of your scarf
4. Put the crochet hook into the stitch and grab the yarn strand loop
5. Pull the yarn strand loop through the stitch until there is a decent amount on one side of the stitch but the ends of the yarn are still on the other side of the stitch
6. Place the ends of the yarn into the loop on the other side of the stitch
7. Pull the ends of the yarn through the loop and tighten the loop so that it forms a knot
8. Repeat these steps until all the end stitches have a tassel tied to them
9. Trim the ends of the tassels as needed

For those who are visual learners, watch this short video to make sure you fully understand how this process works.

https://www.google.com/search?q=how+to+add+tassels+to+knitted+scarf&rlz=1C1NHXL_enUS957US957&oq=how+to+add+tassels+to+kni&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0i22i30j0i20id02i20i2630j12i5 =UTF-8#kpvalbx=_D38dYerjCpyHxc8PnLiroAg40

Beads

Another great way to add a little flare to a scarf is to attach beads to the tassels or fringe hanging on the ends of the scarf. This is a fun project and it is very simple to do. Here are the steps:

1. Select beads that look nice alongside the scarf
2. Twist the end of the fringe so that it is tight and it is easier to slide through the hole in the bead
3. Slide the fringe through the bead
4. Secure the bead onto the fringe by tying a knot

For those who are visual learners, watch this short video to make sure you fully understand how this process works.

pom poms

If you like scarves that are fun and playful, consider creating and attaching some pompoms to the end of yours. This is another very fun and simple project. Here are the steps:

1. Cut a very long strand of yarn and place it between two prongs of a fork
2. Wrap yarn around the fork until you reach your preferred thickness
3. Cut off the yarn tail
4. Tie the middle of the yarn loop with the strand of yarn that is between the two fork prongs (make sure to knot it so that stays secure and keep one end of the strand this strand long throughout the rest of this process)
5. Use a crochet hook to chain five in the long strand of yarn that is tied around the pom-pom and pull up a loop on the end of the five chains (this step is optional; if you prefer your pom pom to be attached without a chain, skip this step)
6. Cut the two yarn loops that you just created by tying yarn around the first yarn loop (yarn ends should be sticking out and there should not be any yarn loops left)
7. Trim the ends of the yarn and shape it into a round pom pom
8. Use the long yarn strand that is tied around the pom pom to attach the pom-pom to the end of the scarf
9. Weave in the ends

For those who are visual learners, watch this short video to make sure you fully understand how this process works.

Embroidery

Even if you don’t know a lot about embroidery, there is no need to fret because there are plenty of simple embroidery patterns and ideas that anyone can do. This is a beautiful craft that will look amazing on crochet or knit scarves, so start planning your projects now.  

To give you a little inspiration, consider using one of these awesome ideas:

• Frida Shawl
• The Alphabet
• Foxes & Flowers
• garden of flowers

FAQs

In Conclusion

Scarf making is a fun project that allows crafters to show their style with color, pattern, and embellishment. These make great gifts, items to sell, or items to keep for yourself. Whether you prefer to craft a scarf by knitting or by crocheting, you can be guaranteed a beautiful and useful item.  

Research Citations

Knots & Kneedles

Sheep & Stitch

Knotions

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