Not knowing how to tie it is the most common reason a scarf ends up in a drawer after it is bought. Each of the ten knots below has numbered, step-by-step instructions, with no vague steps like "tie a pretty knot."

Here are a few tips so your scarves never stay tucked away again!

Image of a model with two scarves tied around the body against a blue background.

Around the neck

Image of a woman sitting in a chair in an artistic setting with a scarf around her neck.

 

The neck is where most people start, because it is the most intuitive way to wear a scarf. The two knots below range from the most casual to the most structured.

1. Simple knot

Fold the scarf diagonally to form a triangle. Wrap it around your neck with the point of the triangle at the back. Cross the two ends in front and tie a regular knot, adjusting the slack before tightening.

2. Ascot knot

Fold the scarf into a wide band (about 10cm), without using the diagonal. Wrap it around your neck and cross the ends in front, one over the other. Secure it with a brooch or pin beneath the crossover, hiding the fastening.

On the head

Image of a woman wearing a Scarf Me scarf on her head against a neutral background.

Wearing a scarf on your head calls for smaller pieces and a little more practice than the neck knots, but the result usually makes a bigger statement in the look. 

3. Headband

Fold a 50x50cm scarf into a strip about 5cm wide. Place it at the nape of your neck, bring the ends to the front, cross them at the forehead or at the side, and finish with a simple knot.

4. Partial turban

Fold the scarf into a triangle and place it over your head with the center point falling toward the back. Pull the two side ends behind the nape, cross them once, and tie, tucking the leftover point under the knot.

Around the waist

Image of a woman wearing a blue Scarf Me scarf around her waist, holding flowers.

This is the look that dominates the feed the most in 2026, and the one that needs larger scarves to work properly. The difference between the two knots below is the amount of fabric around the body. 

5. Double knot

With a scarf of at least 90x90cm folded into a band, wrap it twice all the way around your waist, over your clothes. Finish by crossing the ends at the side and tying a simple knot, leaving the ends loose as a finishing touch.

6. Side bow

Wrap the scarf around your waist just once. Instead of a simple knot, cross the ends and tie a bow, as if you were tying a sneaker, adjusting the size of the loops for the effect you want.

On a bag

Image of a woman holding a bag with a scarf wrapped around the handle.

It is the quickest option on the list, with no specific folding required, ideal for anyone who wants to start wearing scarves without worrying about technique. 

7. Simple charm

Thread the scarf through the bag handle and tie a regular knot, leaving the loose ends at different lengths for a more relaxed effect.

8. Double loop

Fold the scarf in half before threading it through the handle, creating a loop. Pass the ends through that loop and pull, forming a knot with more volume than the simple charm.

On the wrist

Image of a smiling woman with Scarf Me scarves tied around her wrist.

Less common than the other options, but it works well for anyone who wants to wear a scarf as a subtle accessory, without it becoming the center of attention in the look. 

9. Scarf bracelet

Fold a small scarf (50x50cm) into a thin strip, wrap it two or three times around your wrist like a fabric bracelet, and finish with a simple knot hidden under the wraps.

As a top

Image of a woman wearing a Scarf Me scarf on her torso, turning it into a top or blouse.

The boldest option on the list, and the one that calls for the largest scarf of all the knots shown here.

10. Back knot

Fold the scarf into a triangle (minimum 90x90cm) and place the center point at your back, with the base of the triangle covering the bust. Cross the two side ends at the back, one over the other, and tie them behind your neck, adjusting the slack before the final knot.

To see these ten ties in photos, the complete guide to wearing a scarf from Scarf Me shows each knot visually, step by step.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a large scarf for all of these knots?

No. The headband, the bracelet and the bag knots work best with 50x50cm scarves, while the waist and top styles call for pieces of 90x90cm or more.

What is the easiest knot for someone who has never worn a scarf?

The simple knot at the neck or the charm on the bag handle. Both use just one regular knot, with no double crossovers or specific folds.

Can I use the same scarf for several of these ties?

Yes, as long as the size is right. A 90x90cm scarf works for almost all ten knots, except the bracelet, which calls for a smaller size.

Do I need any extra accessories for these ties?

Only the ascot knot benefits from a pin or brooch to hold it more firmly. The other nine knots need nothing but the scarf itself.