Croteching a scarf! HELPP!!

[Park123me]

Well this is my second post asking the same question because I didn't recieve alot of help.
I'm thinking of knitting/crocheting a scarf for my girlfriend who is living in North Carolina. I am completely new at this and am seeking help.
1. Should I knit or crochet? Could you also explain to me the difference in the two...
2. Needle sizes? Please dont say anything...
3. What yarn? What blend? ( she HATES the fizzy itchy feeling. She likes a soft cuddly warm and smooth feeling)
4. Pattern suggestion?

Thanks!

[suzeeq]

Your questions are sort of general....

First off, do you have any experience at all in either knitting or crochet, or is this just an idea you have? For the yarn, pick out one in a medium weight that feels soft and is smooth. Then you'd use a needle or hook about a size larger than the gauge on the label mentions. If you do have some experience, have you looked through any patterns yet?

[Jan in CA]

Asking questions in multiple threads makes it harder to help you and for you to find our answers so try to keep one topic in one thread and give us time to help.

Be as specific as you can when you ask questions and be sure to answer our questions when we respond so we can help you better.

It sounds like you do not have any experience with either crochet or knitting. They both produce a fabric, but they look different from each other and the pattern stitch can can change the appearance. Knitting is done with two needles and crochet is done with one hook.

I don't understand your second question. What do you mean by "don't answer"?

A good yarn to start with is Caron Simply Soft or maybe Red Heart SOFT.

We can't suggest patterns till we know what you want to do or your experience.

[Park123me]

Ok I am literally 0 experience with both knitting and crocheting. From what I have found out, cashmere or merino is a good choice.... Do you guys recommend anything different? (Price isnt really a big deal for me because this is going to be a Christmas/Birthday present)

[Park123me]

Also what would be the better choice for a winter scarf? Crochet or knit?

[salmonmac]

Either will work. It's a matter of personal preference. Take a look at the sites that Sue recommended and see which of the patterns appeals to you. Once you have a few patterns to consider, this will all become clearer. Then look at the Free Videos at the top of the page for directions on Getting Started for knitting or try Crochetville for crochet.

[Park123me]

I was going through some at Raverly and found these.... do you suggest any as a winter scarf?

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/falling-water
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...fication-scarf
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...ngthwise-scarf
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...infinity-scarf
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cerus-scarf
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...unchable-scarf

[fatoldladyinpjs]

Of the patterns, I think the Instant Gratification Scarf might be the best one to use since you're a beginner. You really don't need a pattern to knit or crochet a scarf. Decide how wide you want it to be. Skinny scarves can be four inches wide. Fatter scarves can be six or eight inches wide. Cast on (for knitting) or chain (crochet) enough stitches to reach the width you've selected. In knitting, the simplest way is just to knit every stitch and do the whole thing in garter. For crochet, it's probably best to do this in single crochet. The holes are smaller and it ends up being a warmer scarf. You would knit or crochet the scarf until it is 6 or 7 feet long. What I like to use for something like this is Lion brand Wool ease yarn. You might also try it in the thicker bulky weight. The scarf would knit faster, especially with larger needles.

[suzeeq]

Anything will work really, whethrer knit or crochet. The needle size depends on the yarn, but if you use a medium thickness yarn and larger needles it doesn't take as long. The problem with a scarf for a first project is that it can take a long time and gets boring so you need something to keep your interest, whether it's learning new stitches or varigated yarn.

I think first you need to learn the stitches - get some inexpensive yarn that's labelled a '4' at the store, and a size J hook or 10 needles. Then practice the stitches by following a video along. See which you like better, because a pattern as well as which craft is mostly personal preference.

[Jan in CA]

Crochet tends to be a more open stitch and knitting less so unless you needles larger than suggested for your yarn. It's personal choice. My choice is knitting although I can do both if I have to.

This is an excellent scarf to start with and is only knit and purl and can really use any yarn with an appropriate size needle. I suggest worsted weight and size 8 needles.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...unchable-scarf

Cashmere and merino are good, but if she's extremely sensitive skinned even some of those may be itchy. I've been searching for one I can wear and so far it's a no go. I tend to stay with a very good acrylic,
Cotton, bamboo, and silk. Usually one or more of them blended rather than alone.