Stitches

How many cast- on stitches do I need for a scarf that is around 10 cm wide?

I am using bulky yarn. The size needles on the packaging is 5. Around how many cast on stitches do I need?

Public Comments

1. I am thinking about one stitch to the cm, so about 10 stitches?? The reason for making swatches is to cast on some stitches, work them up in the pattern, then measure to see if the number of stitches and rows match the called for gauge. If you were making a jacket or sweater, this would be crucial. If you don't get the gauge nearly correct, the garment won't fit. So start now making swatches!! Even for your scarf!! Also make a looseleaf notebook with sheets of paper in it. Staple the swatch to it, one of the yarn sleeves, and any notes about what you had to change on the pattern you used. Of course you should note where the pattern is located, what book, page no, and the date you started this and finished it. In 50 years I have about 25 of these binders with my crochet notes in them. It is fun going back to see what I did when I was a teenager and a young mother!! I can amaze my granddaughters with the number of projects I have completed.
2. Look at the label on the yarn. There should be a gauge swatch indicator on there that will tell you how many stitches is needed for 10 cm of width. The needle size you see for bulky yarn is not a US size 5, but a 5 mm needle which is US size 10. In general with bulky yarn you need 16-20 stitches to get 10 cm in width (4 inches).