Make a Braided No Knit Scarf

The inspiration for this braided no knit scarf came from Martha Stewart's November 2007 issue of Living Magazine. However, I wanted a cheaper alternative to bulky-weight yarn. I came up with the idea of making a braided no knit scarf from cheap medium worsted sold in large 198 gram skeins. By first weaving thick braids out of the thin wool, I was able to achieve the same thickness of expensive wools without spending the money. In fact, I only used 1.5 cheap "super saver" skeins to make my braided no knit scarf.

Here are the steps for making the braided no knit scarf yourself. Remember that you can always make the braids thicker or thinner, if you want a lighter or heavier scarf. Also, you can make the no knit scarf wider by making more braids for it. So, let's get started.

Measure the Yarn for the Braids

To make the braided no knit scarf, I created braids woven out of 24 lengths of yarn. I made a total of 4 braids that are 2.5 times longer than the no knit scarf I wanted to end up with.

Assemble the Yarn for the Braids

Each braid in my no knit scarf is made of three clusters of yarn. Though there are a total of 24 lengths of yarn in each braid, these are divided into three groups of 8 lengths of yarn each. For thinner braids use 6, or for thicker ones use 10. Be sure to loosely knot the yarn together at one end.

Weave the Braids

Place the three clusters of yarn side by side and place something heavy over one end to keep them from moving. To weave the braids pass the cluster on the left over the middle cluster. Then pass the left cluster over the one you just moved to the center (see picture). Keep the yarn in balls to prevent the long lengths of yarn from getting tangled below as you crisscross them on top. Finish the bottom of each braid with a loose knot. (Later, as we make the no knit scarf, we'll open these loose knots.)

How Many Braids Should You Weave

To make the braided no knit scarf pictured here, I used 4 braids. But you can make a wider no knit scarf by adding more braids. Be sure to always add the braids in groups of 2, as this no knit scarf pattern will only work with an even number of braids.

Prepare the Braids for Making the No Knit Scarf

Instead of knitting, the no knit scarf is tied into knots that connect the braids in a beautiful pattern. Place the four braids side by side on your work surface. Now, untie the loose knot at the top of two adjacent braids and knot them tightly together (see picture). At this point in making the braided no knit scarf you should end up with four braids, two of which are knotted together at the top. Now repeat this step for the other two braids.

What Knots to Use for the No Knit Scarf Pattern

I chose a special knot that allowed me to slide one side of it up and down. The knot was less bulky than a square knot and the movement allowed me to adjust the knot before I tightened it. Here's how to make the no knit scarf knot:

1. Hold the braid on the right between your thumb and forefinger.

2. Pass the right braid over the left braid, keeping your forefinger stuck between the braids.

3. Continue to pass the right braid so that now it will loop under the left braid (with your forefinger still stuck between them).

4. Remove your finger and slip the right braid through the hole that's left behind.

5. Adjust the knot and tighten.

Make the No Knit Scarf

To turn the braids into a no knit scarf, rest the pairs of braids side by side on a work surface and secure their top with something heavy. Knot the two inner braids a little below the top knots on the right and left (the knots that combined the braids into pairs).

Next, tie a knot between the left braid and the middle one next to it, then do the same on the other side with the right braid and the middle one beside it. The knots should be positioned at the same height, and they should copy the distance between the knots above.

By repeating this pattern all down the braids, you'll be making a braided no knit scarf. When you reach the end, knot the left braid with the one adjacent to it, then repeat with the remaining two braids, as you did when starting to make the no knit scarf. Trim the ends to equal length, and you're done.

For more inspiration, here are 50 enchanting craft projects.