Oh No! Not Another Scarf Tutorial!

Saturday 11 October 2014


Pinterest (no idea of original source)


That's one of my favourite Pinterest looks from last year. I searched high and low for a scarf like that one in the picture and came close but when push came to shove, it didn't quite cut it. Yes it was grey plaid, yes it was cashmere but it was too small and too floppy. I needed a big big scarf to achieve that look above. So  yeah, yeah, back it went.

I'm trying again this year with the big scarf look. Yes I'm going for the plaid but (1) I've given up being so picky about the monochromatic grey tones (2) I'm not hung up about it being cashmere or wool and (3) I just went with something I liked and thought would work when I saw it. This one.

Primark scarf & top


Now the problem with a scarf like this is the size. It's huge. Which is fine if it's a fine woven kind of scarf and wraps round nicely but this is definitely picnic blanket territory. If I just try to wrap it round nilly willy, it looks a bit like this .....



.... which is okay but personally I don't like my scarves like this. I don't like the squared ends - it all looks a bit neat and too symmetrical and sooner or later, I find one end goes off and does it's own thing and takes a walk round the back and then it all starts unravelling. So how do I tie my scarf my way? Well I will take a break from my cleaning (hence the slobs top which doesn't go well with the scarf) and show you.

Fold your blanket, err I mean scarf in half lengthways.


Wrap it round your neck like this making sure the short end is just long enough to reach your ear.


Tuck it up near your ear.


Bring the long end right round the back ..... 


.... and back round to the front.


Take the long end (which is now shorter) 


 .... and tuck the end in to the top of the scarf. Put your hand through the loop and pull it through a little.



Adjust a little so it's comfortable and Bob's your uncle!



It's easy peasy, lemon squeezee isn't it? Anyway, back to the cleaning .....







42 comments

  1. Love this scarf, Sue! I've got a similar one from Accessorize - navy and burgundy, which I can't wait to wear x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Like the Accesorize one too - great colours. I saw it today on your Instagram. I like that both our scarves have a nod to the more traditional plaids.

      Delete
  2. Thanks for the tutorial. I'm completely scarf obsessed this year as much as I am scarf knotting impaired. I'll give this a go and just hope they won't find my body all wrapped up and mummified...that would be embarrassing....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so easy to end up in a mummified state. I'm always playing around with the scarves in Zara trying to get them to work and end up walking out with Albert Einstein hair from all the static. I have quite a few fails so this method isn't full proof but it's great when it does work.

      Delete
  3. Gorgeous scarf Sue & love how you've tied it, I shall definitely be giving this a go with mine.
    Jane xx
    My Midlife Fashion

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ah Jane - you are the Queen of Scarves - I'm sure you have already mastered the art of tying blanket scarves.

      Delete
  4. majory points for the tutorial! Looks fabulous:)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you - I was a little worried that people wouldn't be interested - there are so many scarf tutorials around.

      Delete
  5. Great tip Sue! I have a tartan blanket scarf from last year which I've struggled to tie, so I'm going to give your way a go (love the scarf by the way!) x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Now you have the know how - off you go! It takes a few attempts to really get the feel for it but the principle is simple.

      Delete
  6. Fab tutorial! I'm exactly the same, don't like my scarfs looking too 'neat'. I will definitely be trying this out x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have a friend who does her scarf ends very neat and we were comparing our different scarf tying styles. She has her tried and tested method and I adapt for each individual scarf.

      Delete
  7. So useful! I'm loving the blanket/scarf thing this season, but the square shape is proving a challenge. Will be trying your method tomorrow...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mine is a long rectangle so might not work as well on a square shape. With the square scarves, you need to do the triangle fold for best results I think but it could be difficult if the scarf is quite thick.

      Delete
  8. Well, actually this is a useful tutorial so thanks. :D
    I wanted a similar scarf/blanket since last winter too, but I missed out on Zara one that everyone was wearing and others didn't quite come up to scratch in my opinion so I went without. This season I spied one in Boden I like so....well...I might get it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I just had a look at the Boden ones and they look like they are quite easy to work with - a lot softer and a bit thinner than mine which always helps with the scarf tying. Are you after the beige one with shades of pink in it from last year in Zara? I think Mango are doing a similar one this year.

      Delete
  9. Wow! I used my grey zara scarf as a blanket on my sofa. May have to remove and wear- fab tutorial. Thank you. Hx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha ha - well you can but try again and if it doesn't work out, back on the sofa it goes!

      Delete
  10. Totally trying this today! Fab scarf - just the colours I'm looking for so I'm heading to Primark this week xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think this one was definitely my favourite in terms of colour and pattern in Primarni this season. For £5, I thought it couldn't hurt even if it's acrylic. Heck nearly every scarf I pick up these days are acrylic (yes, I 'm looking at you Zara).

      Delete
  11. Stunning scarf Sue and I love how you are wearing it! I shall be getting myself to Primark pronto to steal your style! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The colours would work fab with your winter wardrobe I have to say. I wasn't 100% convinced as I struggled tying it originally in the store so I thought I'd have a play at home to see what I could do with it and I think it turned out okay.

      Delete
  12. Oh, I LOVE a good scarf tutorial Sue! I have a really long, really chunky scarf that I adore and snagged in the dregs of the White Company winter sale, having lusted after it all season, but cannot make it look good on me for love nor money. Any tips would be most gratefully received!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh gosh - every scarf is different. I have some which I bought purely because I fell in love with the pattern but find a real struggle to work with so they get relegated to the back of the wardrobe. But since I buy a lot fewer scarves these days, I only keep the ones I know really do work. Chunky ones are a different ball game altogether - I had one the other year - it's a pure fling it over the shoulder affair and pray it stays there.

      Delete
  13. This looks fabulous, Sue. Love the colours in it too. I'll definitely be trying this technique! Lynne x

    ReplyDelete
  14. Love, love, love this - I have a few big scarves that I am looking forward to wearing this winter - though I doubt I'll look as cool as you :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well it's definitely time for the big scarves again - it was definitely a bit brrrr in old Blighty today. The heattech is on!

      Delete
  15. Thanks for this! I've got a giant Zara one I really can't get to look right, I'll try this. I've asked people on blogs to do scarf tutorials before, but they never do, probably think how can anyone not sort a scarf out. Haha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There's a lot of tutorials out there on Pinterest but they seem to be for the long finer woven scarves but not so much for big scarves - I guess it's quite limiting what you can actually do with them. Glad this is off some use to someone - I wasn't sure if it was a bit like teaching people to suck eggs.

      Delete
  16. I'm hoping to be able to steal your style. I will follow your very useful blog diligently but first I need the right scarf and l haven't yet settled.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've put scarves back because they don't tie well. They're too floppy, they're not long enough, they're too unyielding etc etc and I almost gave up with this one too but I was drawn to the colours and knew they would work with my wardrobe. I certainly gave it a try with this one and it worked out quite well - though I was a bit of a nonny trying to tie the scarf one handed - other hand was holding the camera. Why I didn't put it down, tie a bit, take a pic and start the next step, I don't know!

      Delete
  17. Always good to find the perfect way to wrap your scarf. For my big blankety ones I like to start in the middle, lay it across the front of my neck, and then drape it over my shoulders, cross it behind me and pull the corners forward.... and wow, that makes zero sense! May have to resurrect the blog and do this one with pictures like you did. So, excuse the nonsensical comment. I will say though, that Zara is doing some amazing huge blanket-like scarves this year, and they also have some that they're selling at Zara Home that were super attractive, in case you're on the lookout for another one.

    www.nomadicd.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I totally get what you mean actually. I make some lariat necklaces and the best way to put them on is to start off with the middle at the front and work back - sounds mental but it works. And I haven't looked at Zara home for a little while - thanks for the heads up on that one - I'm definitely going to take a nosey over there. I love a good scarf.

      Delete
  18. Oooh, so that's how it's done? Thank you *scurries off to have a go*

    ReplyDelete
  19. Bob's your uncle, Fanny is my aunt - EPIC Sue!

    ReplyDelete
  20. I tried, but it didnt look as good as your's Sue! Loving the big check scarf look though! Helen xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Probably needs a little practice and it does depend on the scarf as well. Make sure it's a rectangle and not a square too!

      Delete
  21. Perfect, I was actually asking how to tie these scarves yesterday, and now voila, than you
    A x

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thanks for the tutorial and scarfs colour is very nice

    Wholesale shawl pashmina online

    ReplyDelete

Susie So So