Click here for my 2008 Resource List, including care tags, wraps, etc.
Criteria for this list: Knitted (that's all I'd be qualified to comment on), Beginner/Easy, Unisex (too many scarf patterns call for Fun Fur (not unisex) or are decidedly feminine*). Honestly, all you have to do is pick out your yarn (for the love of whatever diety you worship, please leave the Fun Fur in the drawer), get the right size needles, cast on enough to get 5-8" width and knit and knit until it's long enough. The following list is for those who'd like to try something different, but don't know where to start.
*We all know that unisex means "stuff guys would consider wearing." If the words fuzzy, lacey, loopy, frilly, etc. could apply, then it's definitely not unisex. If your brother, husband, son might wear it, then it's probably safe. Let's make it easy on the folks putting the packages together by sticking to materials and patterns that either gender could wear comfortably.
Also: Check out the comments for patterns suggested by friends and readers.
Lion Brand offers several free patterns, but does require a one-time registration. I haven't noticed an increase in spam since I signed up, but make no guarantees. Here are a couple examples:
Criteria for this list: Knitted (that's all I'd be qualified to comment on), Beginner/Easy, Unisex (too many scarf patterns call for Fun Fur (not unisex) or are decidedly feminine*). Honestly, all you have to do is pick out your yarn (for the love of whatever diety you worship, please leave the Fun Fur in the drawer), get the right size needles, cast on enough to get 5-8" width and knit and knit until it's long enough. The following list is for those who'd like to try something different, but don't know where to start.
*We all know that unisex means "stuff guys would consider wearing." If the words fuzzy, lacey, loopy, frilly, etc. could apply, then it's definitely not unisex. If your brother, husband, son might wear it, then it's probably safe. Let's make it easy on the folks putting the packages together by sticking to materials and patterns that either gender could wear comfortably.
- Start here, at Martha Stewart's Basic Scarves
- Mistake Rib Scarf - how perfect that I finally found a good overview of this stitch in an entry about the ('06) Red Scarf project! This is a wonderful stitch for any gender, and shows off both plain and self-striping yarns beautifully! (A pic from another source.)
- Sideways Garter Stitch Scarf & Simple Ribbed Scarf - Basic beginner's scarves, with the guesswork (math) taken out of it. I've done a few of the Sideways scarves, not necessarily following the pattern, but maybe if I had followed it, I wouldn't have a 7-foot long scarf and be out of yarn before I cast off.
- Orange Bliss - I'm currently making a scarf just like this, but not in orange. If you aren't going to use Cashmerino Superchunky, the simple ribbed scarf at the link above would be all you need.
- Bulky Sideways Scarf, by our very own
tvini! Calls for Noro Iro (very pretty!), but would work with any bulky yarn that would knit up on size 11s. - Melissa scarf (I like it because of the name). If you don't know crochet (I don't), skip the border, and just do a few contrasting stripes and fringe.
- Ben's Scarf - the yarn choice makes this a "guy's" scarf, but all that means is that if a guy would feel secure wearing it, a girl would be fine with it.
- Kay's scarf - another ribbed scarf. Use a self-striping yarn in gender-neutral colors, and this would be excellent.
- Big Wool Scarf
- Misti Bulky Scarf - Seed stitch with BIG needles. You'd just need to make it a little longer.
- Another sideways-knit scarf: Brother-in-law Racing Stripe Scarf, for a stripe pattern idea.
- Yet another sideways scarf: Cashmerino Superchunky Scarf - if you can afford it, this is just about the squishiest, softest yarn going. Knitpicks has a similar yarn, called Panache that is less expensive.
- Super-Long Ribbed Scarf (from the book Knitting Pretty. Another cool scarf - Ribbed for His Pleasure - is in the book Stitch and Bitch.)
- One-hour scarf (3 or 4 yarns together, knit sideways) - would recommend either adding fringe all along the edges or skipping the tassels.
- Organic Cotton Man Scarf (substitute a slubby worsted-weight wool)
- Tim's Scarf - just make it longer.
- Yarn Harlot's One Row Scarf
Also: Check out the comments for patterns suggested by friends and readers.
Lion Brand offers several free patterns, but does require a one-time registration. I haven't noticed an increase in spam since I signed up, but make no guarantees. Here are a couple examples:
- Bias Stripes - although I'm not sure about the yarn used! Chenille doesn't scream "guy" to me. Would be nice if used with more suitable yarn, maybe in red & black?
- Bright Idea Scarf
- Ripe with Indecision - A little zig-zag, but not at all girly (I don't think so, anyway).
- Irish Hiking Scarf - people that can cable (not me) love this scarf.
- Jute Rope Scarf (whew! Not made from rope!)
- Manly Cable scarf


Comments
http://community.livejournal.com/knitti
I would like to learn how to cable. I think. ... You know how it is... no fear of the unknown. Don't know how difficult it is until you do it.
:-D
You know they sounds so good! Ripe with Indecision.... Wages of sin.
WAIT A MINUTE! Where is my wages of sin scarf?????
{Like I have knitted or anything - to call it *mine*}(Chuckle)
~A
Requires chart skills:
http://cache.lionbrand.com/patterns/k
You could do the orange "skelt" on this page, but make it twice as wide (at least):
http://www.domiknitrix.com/knittingpatt
http://knitty.com/ISSUEwinter04/PATTwav
Does WOTA sub well for Cascade 220? Seems like it should to me.
Anyway, here's another free pattern, and I happen to have 2 balls of Kureyon with some red in them.
http://knitty.com/ISSUEfall05/PATTe