Learn to Knit a Scarf- An Absolute Beginner's Lesson Plan
Learn to Knit a Scarf- An Absolute Beginner's Lesson Plan
This is a lesson plan, not a class! To book a class to learn this project, add this lesson plan to your cart along with a class booking.
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Suggested number of classes to book to learn this lesson plan: 3
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Learning to knit by making a scarf is the most classic way to start! You can learn to make a scarf in as many colors as you want, using just the knit stitch, or a combo of knits & purls.
If you're entirely or mostly new to knitting, we suggest you sign up for three two-hour classes with Cleo to learn all the basic techniques. Buy all three classes in a class pack for a bulk discount. We suggest scheduling your first two classes within about 1 week of each other, and waiting to schedule your third class until you're nearly done with your scarf. If buying a 3-class pack, you have up to 3 months to schedule all three of your classes.
LESSON PLAN
Session 1: learn how to cast on, knit, and avoid common mistakes.
Session 2 (within about 1 week of the first session): learn how to add another color (optional), troubleshoot simple mistakes, and how to purl (also optional).
Session 3 (wait to schedule until nearly done with your scarf): learn how to bind off, weave in your ends, and block your finished scarf!
SUGGESTED MATERIALS
available for purchase at your first session
Option 1 (thickest scarf, works up the fastest): 125–200 yards of super bulky weight yarn, and size US 17 (12 mm) straight or circular knitting needles
Option 2: (medium thickness, takes a little longer): 200–400 yards of bulky weight yarn, and US 10.5 (6.5 mm) or US 11 (8 mm) straight or circular knitting needles
Option 3: (lightest fabric, works up the slowest): 400–600 yards of worsted weight yarn, and US 8 (5 mm) or US 9 (5.5 mm) straight or circular knitting needles.
We highly recommend learning to knit with wool yarn! Yarns made from acrylic and most plant-based fibers don't provide the same elasticity that makes wool yarns easy to learn with. However, if you prefer to use non-animal fiber yarn, we do have a 100% organic cotton available in the shop that we've had many beginners have used with great success.
We recommend using wooden knitting needles when you’re learning, the metal ones can be heavy (if they’re vintage) and too slippery, and plastic ones can be too sticky!
We can teach both right- and left-handed people how to knit! For those who are curious, depending on how/if you have been taught any amount of knitting before, we may teach you to knit continental style, or english style. We tailor the style to what works best for each individual student. If you're not sure what that means, that's okay, we'll explain it during class!
Class Policies
Wait Lists
If a class is full we are happy to add you to the wait list in case someone cancels. Send an email with the name and date of the class to hello@cleosyarnshop.com to be added.
Cancellations
We are happy to offer you a refund or store credit for any class sign up as long as you give us notice at least 48 hours before the start time of the class.
We cannot offer refunds or store credit for any late cancellations. However, if the situation was out of your control and you want to come to another class instead, we can sign you up for a future class using our Scholarship Fund which is available to everyone!
Many of our classes have a minimum number of sign ups required to run. If a class doesn't get the required number of sign ups to run and we decide to cancel or post-pone the class we will notify those who did sign up via email between 24–48 hours before the class's start time and offer them a seat in the next class, a refund, or store credit.
Photography
When you attend a class at our shop you agree to be recorded and photographed during the class. If you would like to request that your face, hands, or body not be in any photos or videos that we share on social media please send an email requesting so any time prior to the start time of the class to hello@cleosyarnshop.com. You may still be recorded or photographed during the class but we will respect your request that the videos or images of you not be shared online.
Scholarship Fund
Our Scholarship Fund is contributed to by the shop and our community to help those who need it attend our classes and events. You can read about why we started the fund here.
When signing up for a class or event, anyone is welcome to sign up for a Scholarship Fund ticket at a discount as funds allow. When a Scholarship Fund ticket is purchased, the amount discounted is taken from the Scholarship Fund to pay the shop and it's staff the regular ticket price.
If you are considering requesting a Scholarship Fund ticket but aren't sure whether it's for you or not, it probably is! The folks who have contributed to the Scholarship Fund wanted to contribute and want the funds to be used! And the lovely people putting on this class or event are still getting paid the full amount to do it. Please only pay full price if you feel you have enough to do so.
That said, we also ask that you be mindful of the amount and frequency of requests you take from the fund. Making sure funds are available to as many people as possible is a collaborative effort, so we'll check in with you and you check in with us!
If you'd like to use the Scholarship Fund, you can do so by emailing us (hello@cleosyarnshop.com), or coming into the shop and requesting a Scholarship Ticket. We will ask you how much you are able to pay (zero is an acceptable answer!) and the funds available will cover the rest.