Scarves make beautiful accessories for any style, and they can be made in a number of ways. Whether you want a needlecraft, sew, or no-sew project, there are plenty of fashionable DIY scarf ideas to go around.
We've collected a number of DIY scarf tutorials that work well for beginners or advanced crafters. No matter your skill level, you'll be able to complete one of these projects and elevate your wardrobe in the process.
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Use the Faux Shibori Dye Technique
Shibori is a popular resist technique that uses a traditional indigo color. Instead of needing to spend a ton of time making the classic indigo dye used in shibori, this tutorial uses tie-dye supplies instead. The process is so simple, that anyone can complete it in an afternoon.
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Mix Flannel and Leather Together
If you want to learn how to sew a scarf with a sewing machine, this tutorial is a good place to start. The sewing is easy enough for beginners and the end result looks like something out of a high-end boutique.
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Add Polka Dots to a Plain Infinity Scarf
This no-sew infinity scarf is made using an old black t-shirt and fabric paint. When cutting the t-shirt, try to keep the edges as smooth as possible. To help with the process, you can use a rotary cutter instead of scissors.
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Crochet a DIY Infinity Scarf With Shell Stitches
There are many crochet scarf patterns on the internet, but many of them are simple and straightforward. The addition of the shell stitch edging on this design makes the final result much more feminine and flattering.
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Tie Knots in a Piece of Remnant Fabric
This no-sew scarf tutorial is a clever way to use up extra fabric or fabric that has been put on clearance. To complete this scarf, all you need to do is cut slits at the end of the scarf about every two inches. Then, tie small knots at the end of each piece of fringe.
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Braid Two T-Shirts Together
Before you bring that box of old clothing to the donation center, see if you have any old t-shirts that would work well for this scarf tutorial. The main component of the project is braiding the two shirts together, but you will need to sew two ends together. You can hand sew or use a sewing machine to complete the project.
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Make This T-Shirt Infinity Scarf in 15 Minutes
Instead of using thread, this infinity scarf is made using hot glue and painter's tape. The even better part is that this style scarf can be made in less than twenty minutes once you know what you're doing.
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French Braid Some Fleece Fabric
One way to make fleece fabric look chic and elegant is to French braid pieces together. The majority of this tutorial is no-sew, but you will need a needle and thread if you want to add on an accent button at the end.
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Wrap Yourself in a Large No Sew Blanket Scarf
The large scale of a blanket scarf makes it so versatile. Not only are they easy to make, you can wear them tons of different ways. The hardest part for this particular tutorial will be picking the fabric you want to use. We suggest something soft, warm, and luxurious.
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Recycle an Old Sweater for a Cowl Neck Scarf
To make this upcycled scarf, all you need to do is make one straight out of an old sweater with a pair of fabric scissors. The design works best with button down sweaters because then you can unbutton them and drape that side of the cowl neck down one arm.
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Update an Existing Scarf With Paint
If you have a ton of plain colored scarves and want to add a bit more to one of them, consider using fabric paint. Think of the scarf as a blank canvas and paint on patterns in different colors and sizes. You can use this scarf as inspiration or do something completely original.
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Turn a Cozy Sweatshirt Into a Cute Cowl Neck Scarf
While this tutorial does require the use of a sewing machine, you'll still save tons of time because there is no knitting required. Due to this time savings, you can make a handful of these for gifts very easily. The end result can be worn like a plain scarf or it can be snapped into place like you see here.
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Use Brightly Colored Yarn to Make a Fringe Edge
This DIY scarf is one of the easiest on the list to complete and would coordinate with a number of styles. The tutorial involves cutting a piece of fleece to size then adding on a yarn fringe on the ends. Experiment with different colors and thicknesses of yarn for varying results.
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Sew a Triangle to Make a Bandana Scarf
Bandana scarves are a great option if you want a look that is very polished and put together. You'll need to learn how to do a straight stitch to complete this scarf, but it shouldn't take you more than 10 minutes to complete.
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Make Fringe Using a Seam Ripper
It's easy to create great looking fringe on flannel fabric. All you need is a seam ripper and the proper technique to add fringe that makes the scarf look good enough to be store-bought. Once you have created the fringe, a straight stitch will finish up the hem on the long sides of the scarf.
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Line the Edge of a Scarf With Pom Poms
To replicate this look, you can start from scratch with a piece of fabric or you can upgrade an existing scarf. Either way, follow the tutorial so you're able to get your version to lay on your neck with the pom poms framing your face.
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Combine Multiple Fabrics for a Patchwork Scarf
If you're looking to infuse more boho-inspired accessories into your wardrobe, try out this simple patchwork scarf tutorial. You will need a sewing machine, but the crafter that made this funky scarf promises that the end result is easy to achieve.
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Convert a Men's T-shirt Into a Feminine Ruffle Scarf
This no-sew scarf tutorial can be completed in about an hour, and it won't cost you a ton of money. Invest in a sharp pair of fabric scissors for this project, which will make the process a lot easier.
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Add a Pocket Without a Sewing Machine
Usually, scarves with compartments and other features require a sewing machine to make successfully. This tutorial will show you how to add a pocket using hemming tape. For this project to work, you'll need to pick a heavy duty fabric, like sweatshirt or sweater material, to hold the weight of the pocket and its contents.
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Arm Knit a Scarf in 30 Minutes
By using your arm when knitting, you can create larger stitches and make much chunkier looking scarves and accessories. The technique is easy to master and will allow you to make a scarf in half the time because you won't need as many stitches, since arm-knit stitches take up more space.
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Craft This Simple Tiered Felt Tassel Scarf
if you're looking for no-sew scarf tutorials, you'll find that a lot of them use felt. Felt is an ideal fabric because it can be cut straight and doesn't require hems. By transforming strips of felt into tassels, you'll be making a scarf that is whimsical and conversation-worthy.
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Start Trends With This Funky No-Knit Scarf
To complete this project, you'll need one skein of soft yarn, some leather straps, and velcro. The look is inspired by designer Rike Feurstein, who created a deconstructed yarn scarf for their collection. Not only is this the easiest scarf to create on this list, but it will also make the largest statement even though it is so minimal.
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Learn to Knit With Your Hands
The cool thing about this scarf design is that it looks knitted, but it can be made in minutes without knitting or crochet needles. The pattern will teach you how to make a loop chain using your hands.