Knitted Mini Scarf Pattern Free

My easy Knitted Mini Scarf Pattern is perfect if you're looking for a quick knit that feels special, but doesn’t take weeks to finish. It features a very simple cable pattern repeat, that's really easy to remember.

This easy mini scarf is a short, cosy neck warmer with a simple keyhole fastening. The cast-off end threads through the keyhole gap to hold it neatly in place, therefore there's no bulky fabric around the neck, and no constant adjusting.

It sits comfortably at the collar and adds warmth without feeling heavy, and it's also perfect for an odd ball of yarn from your stash.

Why You’ll Love This Knitted Mini Scarf Pattern

• Quick to knit because you can easily finish it in a weekend.
• Uses around 140m of yarn, which is a 50g ball for lots of double knitting weight yarns.
• Great first cable project, because the simple cable pattern is repeated throughout.
• Practical and wearable.
• Perfect for gifting, because it's quick to make and cosy to wear.
• The cable pattern creates beautiful texture, without being complicated.

Skill Level

Easy – suitable for adventurous beginners. You’ll need to know how to:

• Knit.
• Purl.
• Work a simple cable (C6F).
• Knit flat in rows.

Yarn Stash Ideas

Because the scarf is narrow and textured, it doesn’t need a huge amount of yarn. This makes it ideal for those in-between balls that aren’t quite enough for a hat or cowl. This Easy Cable Mini Scarf works beautifully with:

• A single 50g ball of double knitting yarn (with around 140m on the ball).
• Leftover double knitting yarn from a larger project.
• A special hand-dyed skein you’ve been saving.
• 4ply yarn held double to create a double knitting thickness.

The cable panel really shows off:

• Tonal shades.
• Subtle speckles.
• Tweed yarns.
• Gentle gradients.

If you are holding 4ply yarn double, you can even combine two different colours from your stash for a marled effect.

How To Get Your Knitted Mini Scarf Pattern

Find the full pattern instructions written out below. You don’t need to sign up or log in because it’s free right here on the blog.

Buy the Premium Pattern to download and keep forever

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Copyright

Please read the copyright terms, which apply globally, before using or downloading your pattern:

The contents of this page, including the pattern instructions and images, are published under copyright to me ©Lynne Rowe 2025 under my brand Knit Crochet Create® and are for your own personal use only.

You are welcome to sell items made from this pattern for charity fundraising purposes, or to gift them to family and friends, but selling small numbers for profit is only allowed with permission. Please email lynne@knitcrochetcreate.com for permission.

By downloading or using this pattern, you therefore agree to these terms.

FREE Knitted Mini Scarf Pattern

Materials

• Double knitting yarn (8ply/light worsted weight).
  • Approximately 140m (around 50–60g depending on the yarn)
  • Always check the meterage on your ball band. Some 50g balls may not have 140m, so you may need a small amount from a second ball.
• 4.5mm (US 7) knitting needles; cable needle of a similar size.
• Wool needle; stitch holders.

Gauge/Tension

• Width: Unstretched and with edges naturally curled under, the width is around 8cm (when slightly stretched, width measures approximately 10cm). 
• Length: 27 rows of pattern measures approximately 10cm, using double knitting (light worsted weight) yarn and 4.5mm needles.

Finished Size Of Mini Scarf

• Approximately 8cm (3¼ in) wide (when flat, not stretched) and 76cm (30 in) long.

Abbreviations For Stitches Used

• C6F = cable 6 front (see special stitches below)
• K = knit
• P = purl
• RS = right side
• St(s) = stitch(es)
• WS = wrong side

Special Stitches

• C6F = cable 6 front as follows: Slip next 3 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work. Knit next 3 stitches from left-hand needle, then knit 3 sts from cable needle.

KNITTED MINI SCARF PATTERN BEGINS

Note: The P1 at beginning and end of RS rows, and the K1 at beginning and end of WS rows, help reduce the curl on the edges.

Split For The Keyhole Section

• Now you will work on the right-side half of stitches only, to knit the first half of the keyhole section.
• You can leave the remaining stitches on your left-hand needle whilst you knit, or slip them to a stitch holder if you find this easier.

Right-half of keyhole

• Row 1 (RS): P1, K3, P2, K2, P3, K3, then turn. (14 sts)
• Row 2: P3, K3, P2, K2, P3, K1, then turn.
• Rows 3-17: Repeat Rows 1-2 a further 7 times, then repeat Row 1.
• Cut yarn leaving a long tail-end for weaving in later. Slip these stitches onto a stitch holder.

Left-half of keyhole

• If needed, slip left-hand stitches back onto left-hand needle, and get ready to start knitting for second half of keyhole section. To rejoin yarn, start knitting with main yarn, and weave tail-end in later.
• Row 1 (RS): K3, P3, K2, P2, K3, P1. (14 sts)
• Row 2: K1, P3, K2, P2, K3, P3.
• Rows 3-17: Repeat Rows 1-2 a further 7 times, then repeat Row 1.

Rejoin Stitches

• Rejoin all stitches on next row, by working across both sets of stitches as follows:
• Joining row (WS): K1, P3, K2, P2, K3, P6, K3, P2, K2, P3, K1. (28 sts)

Continue on all 28 sts.

• Next row: Work Rows 5-8 of main pattern.
• Repeat Rows 1-8 of main pattern, a further 18 times.
• Note: If you have more than 140m of yarn - you could work one more pattern repeat, for a slightly longer scarf.
• Cast off. For best results, cast off in pattern, by knitting or purling the stitches as in Row 1, as you cast them off.

To Finish Your Knitted Mini Scarf

Weave in all ends on WS then trim. Block scarf lightly if desired (this is not necessary). When wearing, thread cast-off end through keyhole gap, from underneath, to hold in place.

What Next?

If you enjoyed this pattern, you might also like my similar free patterns that are also enjoyable to knit:

• Easy Garter Stitch Cowl
• Easy Knitted Shawl
• Scrap Yarn Socks

Share your makes from my Knitted Mini Scarf Pattern

If you love this pattern, then I’d love to see your finished projects! Tag me on Instagram [@knitcrochetcreate] so I can admire your creations.