How to Knit a Multi-Colored Scarf

New knitters can learn basic skills such as casting on, binding off, changing yarns and controlling yarn tension by knitting a multi-colored scarf. Scarves with multi-colored stripes lend themselves well to any stitch pattern you want to try. A few examples of stitch patterns that work well for multi-colored scarves include garter stitch, stockinette stitch and rib stitch. Garter stitch is the result of knitting every row, while stockinette comes from alternating knit and purl rows. Rib stitch is stretchy and is made by alternating knit and purl stitches in the same row.

Cast on the number of stitches you need for the width of scarf you want. 20 stitches will make a scarf that is approximately 5 inches wide. Ten stitches will give you a 2 1/2-inch scarf, and 30 will give you a 7 1/2-inch scarf. These measurements will vary slightly based on your individual tension control.

Knit 10 rows using whatever stitch pattern you like. Turn your knitting every time you finish a row by switching the needle with the stitches on it to your left hand and the empty needle to your right.

Cut the yarn at the end of the tenth row. Leave a 4-inch yarn tail. Turn the work so that the yarn tail hangs from the right side of your work. Pick up the end of the second skein of yarn.

Wrap the right needle with the new yarn when you insert it into the first stitch on the left needle. Knit the first four stitches of the row with the new yarn.

Tug on the tail of the new yarn to tighten the first four stitches. Tie the old and new yarn tails in a square knot and continue knitting the row with the new yarn.

Switch to a new yarn color every 10 rows. When your scarf is as long as you want it to be, bind off the stitches.

Weave the yarn tails along the edges of the scarf with a darning needle. Weave each tail into the block of color to which it corresponds.