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This easy pocket scarf knitting pattern is made on a circular knitting machine for extra warmth. I made giant pockets that are big enough to hold a phone (or maybe even a book!) but you can make yours smaller if you like.
Supplies
When I had the idea to make this pocket scarf, I decided I wanted to use the yarn left over from my Ozark Tweed baby blanket. There was almost a full skein of each of the three main colors I used (the orange had long since been turned into pumpkins) so I decided I would use as much of it as I could.
In all I used about 585 yards of worsted weight (aka medium, yarn weight 4) yarn in three colors. This is Lion Brand Heartland in Carlsbad Caverns (color A), Voyageurs (color B) and Congaree (color C).
I used slightly more of color A than the others. It came out to about 209 yards of color A and about 188 yards each of the other two colors. This is because I was trying to be clever but math wasn’t on my side, as I will explain below.
You’ll also need a circular knitting machine. I used my Addi Express King size because it has a round counter, which I definitely needed. If you have a Sentro you can use that, too.
In addition you’ll need scissors, a yarn needle, a bit of waste yarn, and whatever supplies you need for the finishing method of your choice for closing up the ends of the tube.
Size
My scarf is 6.5 inches/16.5 cm wide and 74 inches/1.88 meters long, not counting the length of the pockets. They are a delightful 10 inches/25.4 cm deep, but you don’t have to make yours that big if you don’t want to. But why would you not want to?
Pocket Scarf Knitting Pattern Notes
You can of course knit this all in one color if you like. I was trying to use what I had so I started with the yarn I had the least of. I cranked out 50 rounds in the hope I had enough to do 100 rounds of that color on each side (so both sides of the pocket would be the same color).
But when I weighed the remaining yarn I realized I didn’t have enough so I did 75 rounds instead. That makes my pockets 50 rounds deep. The next color section and the one before the pocket on the other side are both 75 rounds as well, so when the pocket is folded you see 50 rounds of that color. Then the sections in the middle are 50 rounds each as well.
If you want a scrappier look you can change colors whenever you want, and of course if you want a longer or shorter scarf (or deeper or shallower pockets) you can adjust how many rounds you work as well.
How to Knit a Pocket Scarf
That pretty much explained the whole pocket scarf knitting pattern, but here it is a bit more pattern like.
Using waste yarn, cast on and work about three rounds before switching to your main color. Adjust your round counter to 0 and start working with color A.
Work 75 rounds in color A.
Switch to color B and work 75 rounds.
Then switch to color C and work 50 rounds. Next you’ll do 50 rounds in color B, then 75 rounds in color C and finally 75 rounds in color A. (Note: you can weave in ends as you go or tie the two yarn ends together and just leave long tails inside the scarf. I promise not to tell.)
I used a circular knitting needle to pick up all the stitches off the machine when I was done. Depending on how you plan to close up the ends you may finish yours in another way. Leave a long tail of yarn for finishing, and if there’s any left you can sew one side of your pocket with it.
I decided to do a three-needle bind off because it makes a nice firm edge that I thought would look good as the top of my pocket.
Finishing the Pocket Scarf
Because of how I did my stripes, I knew that the top of the pocket should be 25 rounds up on the second color, so I counted those rounds and then began to sew my pocket side.
I just worked the yarn needle under one stitch on the side of the scarf and one stitch on the side of the pocket, working my way down to the fold.
Take a couple of stitches at the bottom to reinforce it and bury the yarn end inside the scarf.
Add new yarn on the other side of the pocket and sew up that side.
Repeat with the other pocket, making sure they open on the same side of the scarf.
My scarf ended up longer than I intended, so I can wrap it around my neck once and comfortably reach the pockets. If yours is a little shorter, you may just drape it over your shoulders instead. Once you’ve made one pocket scarf knitting pattern you can see how you like it and adjust if needed.
Also, you can do the same thing knitting with needles if you’d rather. Pick your yarn and a corresponding size of circular knitting needle. Cast on 46 stitches and join to work in the round. Make your tube as long as you want, then work a three-needle bind off (or a regular bind off and then sew the ends closed). Fold the ends up to make the pockets as described above.
