How to add fringe to a scarf
Sometimes a knit or crochet scarf could do with a little something extra, and a classic fringe is an easy addition which suits many different styles of scarf, wrap, or shawl. The method I’m going to take you through below involves making ring hitch knots with a crochet hook, which I’m demonstrating on my cabled Melisma Scarf. This is a simple and secure method with plenty of options for customisation.
Materials needed
Yarn to match the scarf (or contrasting yarn if you wish). I used 51.5yds/47m of worsted weight yarn for my Melisma Scarf fringe, and for the wider version of this scarf you will need an estimated 74.5yds/68m
Scrap or less-precious yarn in a similar thickness, to test out the length of the fringe, the number of strands per bundle, and the spacing between bundles (optional)
A book, chopping board, or piece of sturdy cardboard to wrap the yarn around: its length or width should match the desired length of fringe
Sharp scissors for cutting the yarn into strands
A crochet hook in a size large enough to grab however many strands of yarn you will be using per bundle. I used a US G-6 / 4mm hook, the largest size I had, for 3 strands of worsted weight yarn.
Tips
Before cutting the yarn you intend to use for the fringe, try out a few bundles in scrap or less-precious yarn. You can play with the length of the fringe, the number of strands per bundle, and the spacing between the bundles. Once you’ve found the sweet spot, make a note of these numbers and unpick the scrap fringe from your scarf.
Be consistent with where you place each bundle of fringe, e.g. every X number of stitches, or into the knit stitches of the ribbing only, or lined up with the cable motifs.
If, while you’re adding the final fringe to the scarf, you discover you’re going to run out of yarn, you can go back and reduce the number of strands per bundle or increase the spacing between bundles.
Step 1: Preparing the strands of yarn
Working in batches, wind the yarn around an object with the same measurement as the desired length of fringe (if you want to be precise, add a small amount of extra length to allow for the knot). I went with a 7.5”/19cm length for my Melisma Scarf sample, which is slightly longer than one of its cable repeats.
Snip through the wrapped strands of yarn at one end only, to get strands which are the desired length of the fringe when folded double. Now get your bundles ready: take the desired number of strands per bundle (I used 3 strands per bundle for my Melisma Scarf), make sure the ends are lined up tidily, and fold each bundle in half.
Step 2: Attaching the fringe
Insert the crochet hook from the wrong side to the right side of the scarf, in the spot where the bundle will be attached. I chose to attach my bundles between each pair of knit stitches, one for every repeat of the (k2, p2) ribbing.
Grab the folded end of the bundle with the hook and pull it through an inch or so to the wrong side of the scarf, creating a loop. Then, reaching the hook through the loop, grab the tails of the bundle and pull them through the loop, using your fingers to help if necessary and making sure to get all of the strands at once. Now tighten up the knot with your fingers by gently pulling the tails.
Step 3: Finishing
Check for any long stragglers and trim them. If the fringe isn’t lying as straight as you’d like, you can block it by steaming it or spraying it with water, combing it straight with your fingers, and letting it dry completely.
Find out more about my Melisma Scarf pattern, including Ravelry and Payhip purchase options.