Crochet scarf size chart: length and width by age

Scarf length and width, with cowls and infinity scarves

Scroll the table sideways to see every column.

Scarf for	Length	Width	Who the charts mean
younger child	36 to 44 in (91 to 112 cm)	3 to 4.5 in (8 to 11 cm)	4 to 5 years on one chart, 4 to 7 years on the other
older child	50 to 60 in (127 to 152 cm)	4 to 6 in (10 to 15 cm)	6 to 10 years on one chart, 8 to 12 years on the other
teen or adult	60 to 70 in (152 to 178 cm)	6 to 8 in (15 to 20 cm)	an adult; the charts by age end their child bands at 10 and at 12 years
cowl	22 to 35 in (56 to 89 cm) around	no figure on two charts	not listed
infinity scarf	48 to 60 in (122 to 152 cm) around	6 to 10 in (15 to 25 cm)	not listed

Each row runs from the smallest to the largest figure that the charts we read give for it. A cowl and an infinity scarf are loops, so their length is the distance around.
The two charts that split children by age draw the line at different ages: a child of 6 or 7 is in the younger row on one chart and in the older row on the other. Go by the height of the child.
Centimeters are worked out from the inches and rounded to a whole centimeter.
The charts of straight scarves by age that we read start at 4 years. Sizes that only one chart gives are left out, and so are the short and long styles, which the charts name and size differently.

The usual rule is to make a scarf about as long as its wearer is tall, for a child as for an adult.
Another measure for the length is the arm span: the distance from fingertip to fingertip with the arms held out to the sides.
For the width, some makers go by the hand span of the wearer: from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger with the hand spread.
A cowl is the shorter loop, worn once around the neck. An infinity scarf is a longer loop that wraps around the neck more than once.

How long should a crochet scarf be for an adult?: About 60 to 70 inches (152 to 178 cm) long and 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) wide. Or make it as long as the wearer is tall.
How long is a crochet scarf for a child?: For a younger child, 36 to 44 inches (91 to 112 cm). For an older child, 50 to 60 inches (127 to 152 cm). The charts of straight scarves by age start at 4 years.
What size is a crochet cowl?: A cowl is 22 to 35 inches (56 to 89 cm) around on the charts we read. An infinity scarf is 48 to 60 inches (122 to 152 cm) around.
How long is a scarf for someone 5 feet 6 inches tall?: About 66 inches (168 cm): as long as the wearer is tall.

How wide should a crochet scarf be?: For an adult, 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) on the charts we read. For a child, 3 to 6 inches (8 to 15 cm): the narrower end for a younger child.
How long is an extra long scarf?: The charts of straight scarves that list one give 120 inches (305 cm).
Why is there no row for a baby or a toddler?: The charts of straight scarves by age that we read start at 4 years, and this chart prints only rows that two charts give. Our suggestion
How many chains do I start a scarf with?: That depends on your gauge and on which way the scarf is worked. The starting chain calculator works out the chain for a width or a length that you give it. Our suggestion

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