How to Make an Infinity Scarf

Co-authored by Jessica Gibson

Last Updated: February 12, 2022 References Tested

Infinity scarves are one of the coziest trends around. These long scarves are connected at the ends so you can loop them into an infinity symbol or figure 8 shape before you pop the loops onto your head. Sewing an infinity scarf is a great beginner project since you're only stitching a few seams, but you can also turn an existing scarf into a no-sew infinity scarf. If you're more comfortable working with yarn, try crocheting or knitting your own infinity scarf.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Basic Infinity Scarf

1
Choose stylish fabric to make your infinity scarf. Buy a 2 yd (1.8 m) length of fabric from a 36 or 45 inches (91 or 114 cm) wide bolt. Look for a comfortable fabric in a color that you like. If you plan on washing the scarf, read the care label to learn if you can toss it in the washing machine and dryer.
- If you'll be wearing the infinity scarf during chillier weather, pick a heavy, textured fabric. For lighter weather, choose a softer, lightweight fabric like cotton.
- If you're using cotton fabric, wash and dry it to preshrink the material before you cut it.
2
Cut the fabric so it's 1 yard (0.91 m) long. Use a sharp pair of scissors to cut a piece of fabric so it's a long rectangle that's 1 yard (0.91 m) long. If your fabric is wider than 45 inches (110 cm) cut it until it's 36 or 45 inches (91 or 114 cm) wide, which is the standard width of fabric bolts.^{[1]
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- To make a fuller infinity scarf, wrap the fabric around your neck a few times and trim 1 end until the scarf is as short as you want.
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3
Fold the fabric in half lengthwise and pin the raw edges together. Lay the strip of fabric flat so the pattern faces up. Then, fold the raw edges over and line them up with the bottom layer of fabric. Push sewing pins through the fabric edges every few inches to keep the material in place.^{[2]
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- The wrong side of the fabric should be facing up, which means that the right sides with the pattern are touching.
4
Use a sewing machine to straight stitch along the length of the scarf. Start sewing at 1 end of the pinned edge and sew across to the other end. Leave a ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) seam allowance as you sew. The seam allowance is the space between the edge of your fabric and the seam line you're stitching.^{[3]
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- If you're using a stretchy fabric, set your machine to make zigzag stitches instead of straight stitches. The zigzag stitches are more flexible so they won't break if you pull on the scarf.
5
Pull the ends of the tube together and pin the edges. Reach your hand down through the fabric tube you just made and grab the end. Pull it up towards the other end of the tube. Then, line up the short ends so the seams are touching and insert sewing pins around the edge of the tube.^{[4]
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- Don't flip all of the tube right side out or the seams on the short ends of the tube will be visible on your finished scarf. This is why it's important to leave a gap when you sew the short ends; you'll reach in and completely turn the fabric right side out.
6
Straight stitch around the end of the tube and leave a 3 in (7.6 cm) gap. Straight stitch around the edge you just pinned and leave a ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) seam allowance. Keep sewing around the edge of the tube until you're 3 inches (7.6 cm) away from where you started sewing.^{[5]
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- Remove the pins as you work so you don't accidentally sew over them and damage your machine.
7
Pull the scarf right side out and slip stitch the gap closed. Reach into the gap you left and flip the patterned side of the fabric out. Then, thread a sewing needle with matching thread and insert the needle through 1 edge of the gap. To slip stitch, sew back and forth between the seam allowance until you reach the stitches that you sewed with the machine.^{[6]
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- To wear your new infinity scarf, twist the scarf in the middle to make 2 loops and stack the loops. Stick your head through them and fluff the scarf around your neck.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

No-Sew Infinity Scarf

1
Lay a T-shirt flat and cut off the bottom seam. Use an old or new T-shirt that's the color you'd like your infinity scarf to be. Spread it flat and smooth out any wrinkles. Then, take a pair of sharp scissors and carefully cut across the bottom hem to remove about 1 inch (2.5 cm) of fabric.^{[7]
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- Check to see that you're cutting through both layers of the shirt. If your scissors aren't sharp enough to cut through 2 layers of material, cut across the top layer and turn the shirt over so you can keep cutting.
2
Cut across the middle of the shirt just below the armpits. You don't need the sleeves or neckline for your scarf, so cut across the shirt at the armpit level. If you'd like a narrow scarf, cut lower towards the bottom.^{[8]
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- The higher you cut, the wider or thicker your scarf will be. For a really skinny infinity scarf, cut across the shirt closer to the belly.
3
Stretch the tube of fabric and twist it into a figure 8. Take the tube between both of your hands and pull it apart. Keep pulling so you see the fabric stretch and curl slightly at the edges. Then, twist it in the center to make a figure 8 or infinity shape that you can fold in half and slip over your head.^{[9]
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- If you made a skinny infinity scarf, you could pair it with another skinny infinity scarf in a complementary color.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Yarn Infinity Scarf

1
Choose a bulky yarn and get out a crochet hook or needle. Most infinity scarves are full and thick, so pick a bulky yarn in any color you like. Read the yarn label to see which hook or needle sizes to use with the yarn.^{[10]
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- If you'd like to make a multicolored infinity scarf, get 2 different colors or find yarn that's multicolored.
2
Knit or crochet a scarf that's at least 7 in (18 cm) wide and 58 in (150 cm) long. You can follow any pattern you like or repeat a simple stitch to make a scarf that's at least 7 inches (18 cm) wide. For example, knit a simple garter stitch or work double crochet to make the scarf. Then, bind off the edge.^{[11]
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- If you want to make a large, loose infinity scarf, try knitting it with your arm!
3
Twist the scarf in the middle and line up the ends. Spread your finished scarf flat on a work surface and twist it in the center. Fold half of the scarf over so the scarf has both the right side and wrong side facing up. Then, carefully bring the ends together and line up the edges.^{[12]
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- Twisting the tube gives your infinity scarf a little more volume and texture. If you want the infinity scarf to simply be a tube that you twist when you wear, don't twist the scarf before you join the ends.
4
Whipstitch the 2 ends together to join the scarf. Thread a large tapestry or yarn needle with at least 2 feet (24 in) of the same yarn as your scarf. Bring it up through the bottom stitch on 1 edge and pull to leave a 3 inches (7.6 cm) yarn tail. Insert the needle through the bottom stitch on the opposite edge of the scarf. Then, sew across the edges into the next stitch from the bottom. Whipstitch until you reach the other end of the scarf.^{[13]
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- Keep your stitches slightly loose since you'll be pulling them once you've finished seaming.
5
Pull both ends of the yarn to hide the stitches and weave in the tails. Once you've sewn stitches back and forth across the edges, hold the yarn tail in 1 hand and the working yarn in your other hand. Pull them in opposite directions so the edges of the scarf come together to hide the stitches. Then, thread a tail onto a tapestry needle and sew the tail into the edge of the scarf.^{[14]
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- Stop pulling as soon as the edges meet. If you pull too hard and the fabric puckers, just tug the fabric edges in opposite directions until they loosen.