Bow Tie Scarf Knitting Pattern: Sizes for Kids Too

There is something undeniably charming about a bow tie scarf. It sits at the crossroads of playful and polished, making it one of those rare accessories that looks equally adorable on a toddler headed to a birthday party and on an adult stepping out for a winter evening. Best of all, it is a project that knitters of nearly every skill level can tackle, since the construction is more straightforward than the finished look suggests. Whether you are knitting for a child in your life or treating yourself to something a little whimsical, this pattern walks you through every step from casting on to the final bow.

This guide includes sizing for children and adults, yarn and needle recommendations, full stitch instructions, and plenty of tips to help you get a clean, professional result even if this is one of your earlier projects.

Why Knit a Bow Tie Scarf?

The bow tie scarf, sometimes called a neck bow or a knitted bow collar, has been a beloved cold-weather accessory for decades. Unlike a traditional long scarf that you wind around your neck multiple times, this style sits neatly at the front of the collar, providing warmth where you need it without extra bulk. For children especially, this is a huge practical advantage. Kids tend to lose long scarves, trip over them, or tug them loose within minutes of having them tied. A bow tie scarf fastens snugly and stays put, which is a gift for every parent trying to get a wriggling five-year-old bundled up for school.

From a knitting perspective, the project is also very satisfying because you see results quickly. There is no years-long commitment to an endless length of fabric. You knit a few rectangles, shape them, and assemble them into something that looks genuinely impressive on the hanger. It also makes an excellent gift, since it is small enough to finish in a weekend but thoughtful enough to feel special.

Materials You Will Need

Before you cast on, gather your supplies. The list is short, which is part of what makes this pattern so appealing.

Yarn: For adults and older children (ages 8 and up), a worsted weight yarn works beautifully. It knits up quickly, holds its shape well, and offers plenty of warmth. For smaller children, a DK or light worsted weight yarn gives a softer drape that suits a smaller neck. Look for a yarn with some wool content if possible, since wool has natural elasticity that helps the bow keep its shape. If the scarf is for a child with sensitive skin, a superwash merino or a soft acrylic blend will be gentler against the neck. You will need approximately 100 to 150 yards for the adult size and 60 to 100 yards for the child size, depending on how full you want the bow to appear.

Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm) straight or circular needles work well for worsted weight yarn. For DK weight, drop down to US size 5 or 6 (3.75mm to 4mm). Always knit a gauge swatch before you begin, especially if you are knitting the child size where a small difference in tension can affect fit noticeably.

Additional supplies: You will need a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, a ruler or tape measure, scissors, and a few stitch markers if you like to mark your center stitches. Some knitters also find it helpful to have a few locking stitch markers or safety pins on hand for assembling the bow.

Gauge

Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch using worsted weight yarn on US size 7 needles.

If your gauge is slightly off, adjust your needle size rather than trying to alter the stitch counts. Going up a needle size will give you a looser, drapier fabric. Going down will give you a firmer, more structured bow, which can actually be quite attractive if that is the look you want.

Size Chart and Finished Measurements

This pattern comes in four sizes to accommodate everyone from toddlers to adults.

Toddler (ages 1 to 3): Bow width 5 inches, bow height 3 inches, band circumference 14 to 15 inches.

Child Small (ages 4 to 7): Bow width 6 inches, bow height 3.5 inches, band circumference 16 to 17 inches.

Child Large / Tween (ages 8 to 12): Bow width 7 inches, bow height 4 inches, band circumference 18 to 19 inches.

Adult: Bow width 9 inches, bow height 5 inches, band circumference 20 to 22 inches.

All measurements are given after blocking and light pressing with a damp cloth.

Pattern Notes

This bow tie scarf is knitted in three separate pieces: the main bow piece, the center band that cinches the bow, and the neck band that holds everything in place at the back of the neck. The pieces are then seamed and assembled. Some knitters prefer to knit the bow piece in two halves and seam them at the center, which gives a neater fold line, and that option is noted in the instructions below.

The pattern is written in stockinette stitch for a smooth, classic look. If you prefer a more textured appearance, seed stitch or a simple rib works equally well and has the added advantage of lying flat without curling at the edges, which can save you a step when finishing.

Abbreviations used in this pattern: CO (cast on), BO (bind off), k (knit), p (purl), st/sts (stitch/stitches), RS (right side), WS (wrong side), rep (repeat).

Instructions: The Bow Piece

The bow is the centerpiece of the entire project, so it is worth taking your time here.

Toddler size: CO 26 sts.

Child Small: CO 30 sts.

Child Large / Tween: CO 34 sts.

Adult: CO 44 sts.

Row 1 (RS): Knit across.
Row 2 (WS): Purl across.

Repeat these two rows (stockinette stitch) until your piece measures the following from the cast on edge:

Toddler: 6 inches.
Child Small: 7 inches.
Child Large: 8 inches.
Adult: 10 inches.

Bind off all stitches loosely. Weave in your ends but do not cut them too short, since you will be using these tails to help seam later if needed.

Fold the bow piece in half lengthwise, bringing the cast on edge to meet the bind off edge. With your tapestry needle and a short length of matching yarn, seam the long side closed to create a tube. Turn the tube right side out so the seam runs along the back center of the bow. Position the seam at the center back and press lightly with a damp cloth to help it lie flat.

Pinch the center of the tube together to form the bow shape. The fabric should gather naturally in the middle, creating the two rounded lobes of the bow on either side. Hold the center pinch in place with a locking stitch marker or a safety pin while you move on to the next piece.

Instructions: The Center Band

The center band is the small rectangle that wraps around the middle of the bow, holding it in its bow shape. It is a quick knit and also the piece that hides any gathering or slight unevenness at the center of the bow.

All sizes: CO 8 sts.

Row 1 (RS): Knit across.
Row 2 (WS): Purl across.

Repeat until the piece measures:

Toddler: 2 inches.
Child Small: 2.25 inches.
Child Large: 2.5 inches.
Adult: 3 inches.

Bind off all stitches. Do not weave in ends yet, as you will use them for seaming.

Wrap the center band snugly around the pinched center of the bow. The two short ends of the band should meet at the back. Using your tapestry needle and the yarn tails, sew the ends together securely. Give the bow a gentle tug and reshape it with your fingers. If the center band feels loose, you can add an extra stitch or two to cinch it tighter before seaming.

Instructions: The Neck Band

The neck band is what makes this a wearable accessory rather than simply a decorative bow. It wraps around the back of the neck and fastens, holding the bow in position at the front of the collar.

Toddler: CO 8 sts, work in 1×1 rib (k1, p1 across every row) until piece measures 13 inches.

Child Small: CO 8 sts, work in 1×1 rib until piece measures 15 inches.

Child Large: CO 8 sts, work in 1×1 rib until piece measures 17 inches.

Adult: CO 10 sts, work in 1×1 rib until piece measures 19 inches.

Using a ribbed stitch for the neck band serves two purposes. First, rib is naturally stretchy, which means the band will accommodate a range of neck sizes comfortably and fasten without pulling. Second, rib lies flat on both sides, giving the band a neat appearance even at the back where it is visible when the bow is being worn.

Bind off in rib pattern. Weave in all ends.

Assembling the Bow Tie Scarf

Now comes the satisfying part: putting everything together.

Lay the neck band flat on your work surface. Find the center of the band and mark it with a stitch marker or a small piece of contrasting yarn. Center the bow (with its center band already attached) on top of this midpoint, with the back of the bow facing down toward the neck band. Using your tapestry needle and a length of matching yarn, sew the back of the bow securely to the neck band. Take several passes through the fabric to make sure the connection is firm. The bow should not wobble or slide along the neck band when you give it a gentle tug.

For the fastening, you have several options depending on the wearer’s age and your own preference. For toddlers and young children, the simplest approach is to sew a single button and make a corresponding loop from a small crochet chain or a twisted cord. Choose a button with no sharp edges and make sure it is large enough that it cannot be swallowed if it were to come loose, following standard toy safety guidelines. For older children and adults, a small hook and eye closure gives a very neat result. Alternatively, you can simply leave the ends of the neck band long and tie them in a knot at the back of the neck, which has a charmingly casual feel.

Finishing and Blocking

Once your bow tie scarf is assembled, wet blocking will make an enormous difference in the final appearance. Soak the entire piece in lukewarm water for about fifteen minutes, gently squeeze out excess water without wringing, and lay it flat on a clean towel. Shape the bow lobes with your fingers, making sure they are even and full, and allow the piece to dry completely before wearing or gifting.

If you have knitted in a yarn that contains acrylic, steam blocking (holding a steam iron a few centimeters above the surface without touching) works better than wet blocking, since acrylic fibers can be permanently distorted by heat if you are not careful.

Color and Yarn Ideas

One of the most enjoyable aspects of this pattern is how dramatically the finished look changes depending on your yarn choice. A deep burgundy or forest green in a smooth merino gives a classic, almost vintage feel that suits both adults and older children beautifully. For toddlers, bright primary colors or soft pastels are perennially popular, and a yarn with a hint of sparkle adds a festive touch for holiday wear.

Variegated or self-striping yarns can produce unexpected and delightful results in the bow, since the color changes fall in different places across the width and length of the piece. Hand-dyed yarns in tonal or semi-solid colorways tend to look particularly luxurious in this pattern.

If you want to knit the bow and the neck band in contrasting colors, the effect can be quite striking. A navy bow with a cream neck band, or a red bow with a black band, are combinations that photograph beautifully and work well as gifts.

Tips for Knitting for Kids

Knitting for children comes with a few considerations that are worth keeping in mind throughout the project. First, always prioritize softness. Children’s skin, especially around the neck, is sensitive, and a scratchy yarn will mean the scarf never gets worn regardless of how lovely it looks. Do a simple scratch test by holding the yarn against the inside of your wrist for a few seconds. If it feels rough to you, it will feel rough to a child.

Second, think about durability. Children’s accessories take a beating. Machine washable yarns are enormously practical for parents, and many superwash wool blends offer the best of both worlds: the warmth and structure of wool with the easy-care properties of washable fiber.

Third, size matters more than you might expect. A bow that is proportioned for an adult neck can look overwhelming on a small child, while a toddler-sized bow on a tween looks babyish. The size chart in this pattern is designed to keep the bow in proportion to the neck band and the wearer’s overall frame, but do not hesitate to adjust based on the specific child you are knitting for.

Variations to Try

Once you have knitted the basic pattern, there are many ways to make it your own. Adding a delicate picot bind off to the edges of the bow gives it a more feminine, decorative quality. Knitting the bow in a cable stitch rather than stockinette creates beautiful texture and makes the bow look far more complex than the knitting actually is. A simple 4-stitch cable running down the center of each bow lobe is a particularly effective choice.

For a more structured bow that holds its shape even without blocking, you can insert a small piece of lightweight interfacing fabric inside the bow piece before seaming it closed. This technique is commonly used in sewn bow ties and transfers wonderfully to knitting. It is especially useful if you are using a softer, drapier yarn that might otherwise go limp with wear.

Gifting This Pattern

The bow tie scarf makes one of the loveliest handmade gifts you can give, partly because it is unexpected and partly because it is genuinely useful. A set knitted in a child’s favorite color, tucked into a gift box with a matching hair clip or a small toy, makes a memorable birthday or holiday gift. For adults, a bow tie scarf paired with a coordinating hat in the same yarn makes a cohesive, thoughtful set that looks as though it came from a boutique.

If you are knitting multiple sizes for different family members, consider using the same colorway across all the sizes. The effect of seeing a toddler, a school-aged child, and an adult all wearing matching bow tie scarves is genuinely charming and makes for wonderful photographs.

Final Thoughts

The bow tie scarf is one of those projects that proves knitting does not need to be complicated to be beautiful. Three simple rectangles, a bit of assembly, and a good yarn choice are all it takes to create something that people will genuinely reach for on cold mornings. The fact that it works in sizes from toddler all the way through adult makes it endlessly useful for every knitter who has a family or a circle of friends to knit for.

Take your time with the finishing, trust your gauge swatch, and do not skip the blocking step. Those small efforts are what transform a pleasant knitting project into something that looks and feels truly professional. And once you have knitted your first bow tie scarf, you will almost certainly find yourself reaching for this pattern again and again, each time in a new color or a new yarn, because the result is simply too satisfying to knit just once.

Happy knitting.