Roman Rib Pom-Pom Scarf for Kids

Free Scarf Knitting Pattern

Bundle up your favorite adventurer with the Roman Rib Pom-Pom Scarf for Kids! This playful scarf showcases a bouncy Roman rib stitch that forms soft, vertical ridges, giving the fabric a plush, squishy feel while beautifully displaying the shifting hues of a self-striping yarn. Gently tapered end finish with a clean point, and a single ready-made pom-pom—fluffy and fuss-free—dangles from one tip for instant charm.

Written for a child-friendly size, the pattern scales effortlessly: cast on extra stitches in multiples of 2 for a wider wrap or continue the repeat for grown-up length. With simple garter-stitch borders and an easy 8-row pattern, it’s a satisfyingly quick knit—perfect for beginners, last-minute gifts, or using up that special skein. All you need is DK or worsted-weight yarn, basic needles, and one store-bought pom-pom to stitch on at the end. Let the colors flow and the pom-pom bounce!

Skills Required/Techniques Used:
---Knit & purl, cast on & bind off
--Decreasing: knit 2 together (k2tog), slip-slip-knit (ssk)

Size: length 48” (122 cm), width 7” (18 cm)

Materials: Targhee Wool, 8 oz/ 460 yds DK weight from AutumnHillLlamas.

Needles: straight needle US #6 (4.00 mm), OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE

Gauge: 22 sts x 28 rows = 4" x 4" (10cm x 10cm) in Roman Rib pattern.

Notions:
yarn needle, a fur pom-pom

Abbreviations:
k - knit
p - purl
k2tog - knit 2 together
ssk (slip, slip, knit) - Slip next 2 sts as if to knit, one at a time, to right needle; insert left needle into fronts of these 2 sts and knit them tog – 1 st decreased.
St, sts – stitch, stitches
RS – right side
WS – wrong side


Pattern Notes:

Roman Rib:

Even number of stitches
Row 1 (RS): knit
Row 2: purl
Rows 3 and 4: * k1, p1 – repeat from *
Row 5: knit
Row 6: purl
Rows 7 and 8: * p1, k1 – repeat from *

Garter Stitch: All rows knit.

The selvedge/edge stitches are worked as follows: knit the first stitch and purl the last one.


Short Overview of the Pattern:

The scarf is knitted from a straight short end and worked to desired length as a strip. Then the decreases start and go on for another 7-8 inches to make a pointed end. The remaining stitches are pulled on a yarn and a pom-pom sewn to the end.

Scarf

Cast on 41 sts: 8 sts for selvedge and borders and 33 sts for the pattern, one st is added for symmetry.

Work 6 rows in garter stitch – all rows knit.

Row 7 (RS): knit 40, p 1

Row 8: k4, p33, k3, p1

Row 9: k4, *k1, p1 – repeat from * till last 5 sts, k4, p1

Row 10: k4, p1, *k1, p1 – repeat from * till last 4 sts, k3, p1

Row 11 (RS): k40, p1

Row 12: k4, p33, k3, p1

Row 13: k4, *p1, k1 – repeat from * till last 5 sts, p1, k3, p1.

Row 14: k5, *p1, k1 – repeat from till last 4 sts, k3, p1

Repeat rows 7-14 to desired length.

If you want a straight end of the scarf, work 6 rows in garter stitch and bind off.

For the triangular end, start decreases.

Decreases are made in every RS knit row in the following way: k4, ssk, knit till last 6 sts, k2tog, k3, p1. Work the next rows as established.

Work decreases until only 8 border stitches remain. Cut yarn, leaving a 10" (25 cm) tail. Pull through all the sts and secure.


Finishing:

Use the tail to stitch a pom-pom in place. Weave in all yarn ends.

Have fun!