How To Use A Scarf Loom

Learn how to make a loom knit scarf with this simple step-by-step tutorial. All you need is some yarn and a loom kit to get started. This easy pattern comes together in just a few hours, so you can make it while you watch tv.

blue and white loom knit scarf on a white background

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, Keri Houchin earns a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost for you.

This post was originally published in 2015 and has been updated many times to answer reader questions. It was last updated in 2020.

Making a loom knit scarf is pretty simple. You need only a few supplies and this tutorial to help you get started. Once you've learned the pattern, you just repeat it until your scarf is the length you desire.

Loom knit scarf video tutorial

I put together this video to help illustrate each of the steps below.

How to make a loom knit scarf

Supplies

beginning loom knitting kit
yarn – I used 100 percent cotton in this tutorial (Bernat Handicrafter yarn in Anchors Away). It isn't soft or stretchy at all, so the finished scarf has a loose-weave look. If you want something more snuggly, a stretchy acrylic (I have used Loops & Threads Charisma on several scarves and hats) will give you a tighter weave.
scissors
crochet hook, optional but very convenient

Quick shopping tip: A rectangle loom is good for flat things, like scarves and blankets. A round loom is good for hats, but can also be used to make scarves that are tube-shaped (and double-thick when flat).

loom knit scarf supplies including yarn, a loom, scissors, and a hook

Instructions

Step 1: Anchor the yarn

Start by unwinding a bit of the yarn. Tie one end in a casual slipknot over the peg on the end. This keeps your scarf from unraveling while you're making the first few rows.

yarn tied in a knot on the end of a loom

Step 2: Knit the first row.

Next, start weaving a figure eight down the pegs on top of the loom. It can be as wide or narrow as you like, but keep in mind that the finished scarf will be more narrow after it comes off of the loom. In general, I aim for six pegs on each side for a scarf.

Once you get to the end, you're going to follow the same figure eight pattern back to the beginning. The last peg you wrapped around will only have one loop on it. The other pegs should have two loops, following the same path.

weaving yarn in a reverse figure-8 on a loom

two rows of yarn in a figure-8 on a loom

Step 3: Pull up the bottom loops over the top ones.

Now, grab the metal hook that came with the loom and pull up the lower loop on every peg that has two. That should be all of them except the one.

In these photos, my loops are a bit loose so you can easily see what I'm doing. When making a scarf, you want them to be pretty snug, but not so snug that they are difficult to move.

using a hook to pull loops up from the bottom of the loom

Step 4: Repeat to add more rows.

Now you're going to do the same thing again, almost. Wind a figure eight back down to the end again. You will have two loops on every peg except for one. This time it is the peg back at the beginning.

weaving additional rows of yarn on the loom

Use the metal hook to pull up the bottom loop on every peg that has two loops like you did before. You can now go back and forth making figure eights and pulling up the loops on every turn.

After you have done a few rows, you will need to untie the slipknot loop you make on the end peg. It can just hang down for now.

a blue and white yarn scarf started on a knitting loom

Repeat the figure eight process until the scarf is as long as you want it to be. I usually make my scarves five or six feet long. It takes me about an hour for every foot, so it takes me five or six hours all together. Time to marathon your favorite show on Netflix.

Step 5: Finishing the scarf at the end.

When you reach the desired length, it is time to take the scarf off of the loom. This part was, for some reason, the hardest thing for me to learn.

It gets easier with practice. If you know how to crochet, this is basically a chain stitch.

Get a crochet hook or the metal hook from your kit. Start at the end that doesn't have the tail of yarn. (I often do this backward!) Hook the loop onto your hook up from the bottom, then hook the next one on.

Pull the second loop through the first loop. The second loop stays on your hook; the first one goes off over it.

loop B on a crochet hook with loop A pulled over B

Repeat, following the direction your yarn goes in a zigzag until you get to the end. Hook the tail of yarn and pull it through the last loop. Pull it through so that it is a few inches long, then cut it off.

a knitting loom with pegs labeled A through I

Step 6: Hide the yarn ends.

Now you have a nice, long scarf. Probably with a tail of yarn on either end. You can just weave those into the scarf so that they blend in. No need to tie a knot.

finishing a scarf by looping in the ends

How to add tassels (optional)

Tassels aren't essential, but they make your scarf look fancy and cover any unevenness.

Cut several sections of yarn in eight-inch lengths. For the scarf pictured here, each bundle has three pieces of yarn and there are five bundles on each end. That's a total of 30 pieces.

For each bundle, fold the yarn in half and slip the folded end through the edge of the scarf. Poke the loose ends through the loop and pull gently.

You can see more pictures for the tassels at the end of my crochet scarf tutorial.

a blue and white loom knit scarf with tassels

Now when people compliment you on your loom knit scarf, you can proudly say "I made that!" You might also want to learn how to loom knit a hat.

If any part of this is confusing or you just need more help, leave a comment or send me an email and I'll do my best to explain.

Check out these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama's Daily Drama:

Chunky Crochet Scarf Tutorial
How to Crochet a Big Red Bow
Crochet and Knit Christmas Gift Ideas