How to Use a Scarf Ring
A scarf ring is a simple yet elegant accessory designed to hold your scarf, shawl, or wrap securely in place while adding a polished finishing touch to your outfit.
Whether you're wearing a delicate silk scarf or a chunky handmade knit creation, a scarf ring keeps your fabric exactly where you want it, with no need for adjusting, retying, or wrestling with complicated knots. These rings come in various sizes to accommodate different fabric weights and textures, making them versatile enough to work with everything from lightweight bandana-shaped shawls to thicker crochet wraps.
3 Ways to Style Handmade Accessories with a Scarf Ring
- Classic Cross - Cross the ends of a short scarf in front of you and secure them with the ring.
- The Shoulder Drape - Wrap the shawl around your shoulders and secure the ends together in the front or at the shoulder for an asymmetric look.
- Wrap and Cross - Like the Classic Cross style but for a longer scarf. Wrap the scarf once before crossing the ends in front and securing with the ring.
This type of accessory is not new, in fact, my search for fasteners began with a humble scarf ring that belonged to my grandmother. This simple steel ring looked like the perfect way to style the very small, skinny scarves that are so popular with knitters right now. I began searching for similar cheap scarf rings, trying them out with micro scarves, but everything I bought was just slightly too small for my knits. That's because most of the scarf rings that you'll find are designed for silk scarves - a much thinner fabric than anything made from yarn.
After some searching, I was able to find some images of other styles of fastener without a cross bar. A versatile ring shape would be much easier to find in a range of sizes and materials. With a little bit of experimentation involving household materials, I was able to find the ideal size range of rings to fit thicker fabrics that are made from yarn. A rush shipment of rings arrived just in time for me to bring a few along on my trip to H&H in Cologne.
While in Europe, I quietly gathered feedback on the rings and some of the knitting patterns that I've designed to go along with them. I also wanted to know whether these small scarves were going to be around for long enough to get their own special accessories - If you read my trend report, you know that people still love making them. I picked up a few styles from European suppliers, and continued searching for similar hardware once returning home.
Beyond functionality, a scarf ring elevates the way you style your accessories. It transforms a simple scarf into a statement piece, allowing you to create polished, intentional looks that feel effortless and put-together. Whether you're draping a shawl across your shoulders, securing a short scarf at your neck, or wrapping a longer piece around yourself, a scarf ring gives you the control and confidence to wear your handmade accessories exactly as you envision them.
Sized For Your Needs
What makes these scarf rings particularly special for knit and crochet enthusiasts is that they're specifically sized to handle thicker, more textured fabrics. While silk scarves have long had dedicated ring options, finding the right fastener for handmade knit and crochet pieces used to be a challenge. Our scarf rings solve that problem by offering multiple size ranges, each carefully selected to work best with specific fabric weights and types. The product listings detail exactly which ring size works best for your particular scarf or shawl, taking the guesswork out of your purchase.
Small 25-40mm:
- Silk scarves
- Small (or has narrow ends) projects in light weight yarn
- Very skinny midweight projects
Medium 40-55mm:
- Large silk scarves
- Products knit in lightweight yarn of any size
- Small projects knit and medium weight yarn
- Very skinny scarves in worsted weight yarn
Large 55-70mm: (Hint: bangle size)
- Medium to large projects in lightweight yarn
- Any projects in mid weight to heavy yarn
- Very small projects in bulky weight yarn
- Silk scarves are too small
Jumbo 70-130mm:
- Very wide projects in lightweight or mid weight
- most projects in worsted yarn, but not super wide scarves
- regular scarves in bulky weight yarn
- Silk scarves are too small
Step-by-Step Guide for using an O-ring style fastener
Step 1: Position your scarf or shawl where you want to wear it — around your neck, across your shoulders, or as a wrap. The ring can secure the fabric where the ends cross.
Step 2: Place the ring over one end of the fabric, about 8"/20cm from the end.
Step 3: Poke a loop of fabric up through the ring.
Step 4: Pull the other end of the scarf through the loop so that the fabric crosses in the ring.
Step 5: Adjust the fabric on both sides of the ring so it drapes evenly and sits at your desired height.
The style shown in these images is the Tortoiseshell Ring, 40mm
I've been able to pick up all sorts of rings to create a nice range for you in the shop. There are metal tones, bright colors, beige and brown neutrals, and some sparkly options. In terms of materials, I've currently got metal, plastic, and various types of wood available. Some of the most exciting styles haven't even gone up yet. If you're interested in seeing shop updates, remember to subscribe to the newsletter below.
Look out for more future posts about styling and accessories like shawl buckles coming soon.
