This rainbow no-sew fleece scarf is the perfect birthday or holiday gift kids can make! How-to video AND printable instructions below.
no-sew fleece scarf
If I was like Oprah and had a bunch of “Favorite Things” for holiday gift giving, this rainbow no-sew fleece scarf would be at the top.
Last year, my daughter and I made these for all the cousins, grandparents and aunts for Christmas gifts, and they were a huge hit. They are so easy to make, but they look so cool that kids and grown-ups alike will actually wear them.
(Um, no offense to 90 percent of kid hand-made wares.) For a couple of the grown-ups, instead of rainbow colors, we chose different colors, such as two shades of blue. My sister ended up using this same DIY scarf craft for her daughter’s birthday party, with Valentine’s Day colors instead. She pre-cut all of the circles so the girls could weave their own scarves in any pattern they like. And then the girls made pom poms to attach.
video how-tos
Here is a handy video how-to. I would have had my daughter’s 9 year old hands making these, but she was at school. So pretend my hands are more youthful. Written instructions with photo how-tos are below.
where to buy fleece
We got good quality fleece from Jo-Ann’s fabric. It comes in every color imaginable, is super cozy soft, and was on sale for half off. So this project overall is budget-friendly, too.
scarf details
The scarf ends up about 48 to 52 inches long, depending on where you cut the slits (the closer to the edge, the longer the scarf). You can adjust the length by adding more or fewer circles of fleece.
For toddlers, for example, you can use 12 pieces (2 of each rainbow color), for a shorter scarf. Or for grown-ups, add a few more.
And, I’ve also machine washed and dried the scarves, and they hold up well. The pom poms got a little more condensed, but otherwise, smooth sailing.
Here’s my cutie pie modeling hers.
more crafty ideas
Need a billion jillion more awesome ideas? Be sure to follow me on Pinterest and follow me on Facebook. Seriously, I find the best stuff.
Need more fun crafts for kids? Check out this DIY horse necklace or this roundup of 30 pom pom crafts.
Need a printable version? Click this link: PRINT OUT THE NO-SEW RAINBOW FLEECE SCARF INSTRUCTIONS See BELOW FOR DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS.
For an ADULT VERSION with FRINGE instead of pom poms.
NO-SEW RAINBOW FLEECE SCARF
all you need:
anti-pill fleece (sold by the yard) of each rainbow color: Red or pink, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and white*
scissors
ruler
4-inch circle template (like an oatmeal lid)
*If you’re using fewer colors, don’t forget to compensate with extra fleece of the same color.
HOW MUCH FLEECE DO YOU NEED??
It will depend on the width of the bolt, which can vary, the number of colors you are using (you’ll have to do the math), and the length of the scarf.
For toddler scarves, you’ll need: 12 fabric circles and 2 pom poms.
For kid scarves, you’ll need: 18 fabric circles and 2 pom poms.
For adult scarves, you’ll need: 24 to 28 fabric circles and 2 pom poms.
For each color circle, you need 4 x 8 inches of fabric, but allow 4 1/2 inches x 8 1/2 inches so you don’t run short. To determine how many circles you can cut across, divide the width of the bolt by 4 1/2 inches. Each quarter yard (which is 9 inches, or, close enough to 8 1/2 inches for math’s sake) will give you that many circles of that color.
So for example, a quarter yard of one color on a 54″ bolt you can cut out 12 of that color. (If it’s, say, a 46″ bolt, maybe 10 of that color.) If you do the rainbow as shown, you need three of each color, so if you buy red/pink, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple, and the bolt is 54″ wide, you can make 4 scarves. If the bolt is smaller, 3 scarves. Not including the pom poms (see below). If you’re only doing a two-color scarf, for example, you would need 9 of each color, so you could do a quarter yard of each color to make one scarf.
For each pom pom, you need a white rectangle that’s about 5 x 16 plus the strip to tie, so let’s say 6 x 16. Each quarter yard, depending on the width again, will can only make 2 to 3 pom poms. So you will need more of the white if you’re making multiple scarves.
OK, let’s get going!
HOW TO MAKE THE SCARF:
Use a lid or other circle template that measures 4-inches across. Trace the lid on a folded piece of fleece so the circle’s edge is on the fold. I used a piece of chalk for tracing. You can use a pencil or fabric pencil too.
Cut out the circle, but leave 2-inches of the fold’s edge uncut. That way, when you open the fleece circles, they are attached and look a bit like a butterfly.
Cut 1/2 inch slits in each side of the “butterfly,” about 1-inch in from the edges.
For each scarf, you’ll need 18 of the circle pieces, or 3 of each rainbow color. (More for grown-up scarves, between 24 and 28, less for toddlers, about 12.)
Link all the pieces together.
To make the pom pom, cut white fleece 4 1/2 inches across and 16 inches long. Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise, snip fringe, stopping about 3/4-inch from the fold. Snip a piece of white fleece, 12-inches by 1-inch, to make a rope. Unfold the fringed piece and roll it up. Tie the 10-inch rope around the center and knot tightly. Fluff the pom pom.
Use the rope to tie through the slits at the end of each scarf. Note you’ll have to cut a new slit on one end of the scarf, the one that started the chain.
PRINTABLE VERSION:
Lisa W. says
This is so adorable! Thank you for the tutorial!
Cucicucicoo: Eco Sewing and Crafting says
That is such a cute idea! I’m sure kids would love making these! 🙂 Lisa
meaghanmountford says
Thanks so much Lisa!!
Patricia Stephens says
This is so cute and I’m sure my granddaughters will love it.
Thanks,
Meemaw
Maryanna says
This is such a cute idea. I can’t wait to make this with my granddaughter. I think red and white would be cute for Christmas. Thanks for a great idea .
meaghanmountford says
Thank you Maryanna! LOVE the idea of red and white. Like a candy cane scarf!
Sheryll Seidel says
An honest to goodness fun project I can do with my 5 year old granddaughter and 7 year old great niece. They will love giving these as gifts with matching hats!
meaghanmountford says
Thank you Sheryll! Love the idea of matching hats!
bev says
so cute, going to do this with my 7 yr old grand daughter. she wants to make gifts for Christmas. Is there a way to print this out? Tried to highlight, but that isn’t working/
thanks
meaghanmountford says
Hi Bev, let me try and copy and paste the how-tos into my “recipe” thing. Maybe that will work. Hold on!! 🙂
Kim says
Thinking of doing this as the holiday project in my sons 3rd grade class. Is prep work for 20 scarves going to take forever? Thanks for any advice! Will definitely be doing at home with my own children this winter!!
meaghanmountford says
Hi Kim! My sister did something similar for her daughter’s birthday. It was around Valentine’s Day, so she chose all pinks and reds. Then they took the scarf home as favors. She had maybe 10 kids? And she could manage it. I’d say 20 is a good bit of work. But you can also start now cutting stuff out while sitting in front of the TV. When my daughter and I made them for Christmas, we made about 10 and took a couple days. One thing I did to speed things along was, instead of tracing the oatmeal lid on the fleece, I put a piece of blue tape on the back and just held it on each time I cut out circles.
Oh, one more thing, you can also probably shortcut the pom poms. Like just do some white strands instead to tie on the end.
Mandy says
How many scarves does a 1/4 yard make? Is that just enough for one?
meaghanmountford says
Hi Mandy, It will depend on the width of the bolt, which can vary. For each color circle, you need 4 x 8 inches of fabric. So for a quarter yard of one color on, say, a 54″ bolt you can cut out 12 of that color. (If it’s, say, a 46″ bolt, maybe 10 of that color.) If you do the rainbow as shown, you need three of each color, so if you buy red/pink, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple, and the bolt is 54″ wide, you can make 4 scarves. If the bolt is smaller, 3 scarves. Not including the pom poms (see below).
If you’re only doing a two-color scarf, for example, you would need 9 of each color, so you could do a quarter yard of each color to make one scarf.
For each pom pom, you need a white rectangle that’s about 5 x 16 plus the strip to tie, so let’s say 6 x 16. Each quarter yard, depending on the width again, will can only make 2 to 3 pom poms. So you will need more of the white if you’re making multiple scarves.
Sarah says
Would this work with flannel? or too static-y?
meaghanmountford says
Sarah, my worry with flannel is that it will ravel and the ends will fray. The benefit of fleece is that you can cut it without having to sew the edges. Might be worth it to test a small piece of flannel if you already have some that you can spare. But my guess is it won’t work as well as fleece. (But dang, love the idea of plaids for the scarf!)
Liz says
Love this.It is A must to do with my grandkids. Thank you so much for sharing your talent
meaghanmountford says
Thank you Liz!
Mary Anne McGrory says
For adults should you use the same size circle?
Thanks,
Mary Anne
meaghanmountford says
Hi Mary Anne, I’m actually working on a video for an adult version now! To be ready in the next couple of days. But to answer your question, YES, same size circle. However, you might want to make it longer. I suggest 24 to 28 circles for adults.
Mary Anne McGrory says
Thanks. My student leadership class is making one for each adult at school.
meaghanmountford says
Love it!! Thanks Mary Anne!
Mary Anne McGrory says
Hi,
We created over 60 scarves and delivered them to all of our staff at our school. They LOVED them!
Ashley Vazquez says
My daughter’s are going to make these as teacher gifts this Christmas. Thank you so much for the idea!
meaghanmountford says
Love the idea for teacher gifts!! Thanks Ashley! (PS. For grown-ups I suggest longer than 18 circles, 24 is a good number.)
Barb Farquhar says
Love these! I am new to crafting and selling so I was wondering if I can use your pattern to make and sell them?
meaghanmountford says
Hi Barb, Sure! These would be great for craft fairs. Good luck!!
Mary says
Great idea I am planning to do this with my 4- H group. Love ❤️ the idea. Thank you for sharing.
meaghanmountford says
Thank you Mary!!
Shanon Bills says
Can you tell me how much fleece to get for 15 kid scarves (kdg age)? If you have any suggestions for making this many at a time, I’d love your advice. Thanks for the great idea.
meaghanmountford says
Hi Shanon, It will depend on the WIDTH of the bolt of fleece you are buying. If you are doing the scarf as shown (rainbow, with 6 colors, and each scarf has 18 of the circle things, or 3 of each color), then for 15 kids you would need 45 circle things of EACH color. If your bolt is 54-inches across, you can get about 12 circle things from each quarter yard. (or, you’re safe buying 1 yard of each of the 6 colors). But you’ll need more if the bold is less than that.
Also note, this does NOT count the pom poms. You’ll need 2 pom poms for each scarf, and you’ll find the yardage above. One tip though, to save on the fleece for making the pom poms, instead of pom poms, you can cut out about 10 skinny strips of felt for each scarf and tie knots. That takes much less fleece! So add those measurements on to the above. For the instructions on how to add fringe instead of pom poms, click the link above to go to the “Adult scarf”. Hope this helps!!!
Deana Barr says
I love this! Your main focus seems to be for kids, but I’m 74 and I can’t wait to make one for myself. It’s a great project. Thanks so much for sharing. Now I have to figure out how much fleece. I’m going to do it in purple & lime – my version of a Red Hat thing. Thanks again.
meaghanmountford says
Love it Deana! We made two-color scarves for grandmoms and aunts last year! For adults, I would use more than 18 circle things. I find between 24 and 28 is a good number. You can probably get away with 1/2 a yard of each color, but it depends on the width of the bolt. Have fun!
Debbie Meares says
My 12 year old grand daughter made this. I made her a template out of a dollar store cutting board, and she cut them out with a 28mm rotary cutter. We used one yard of fleece and she had enough 5 inch circles to make 2 scarves.
meaghanmountford says
That’s fantastic, thank you Debbie! And thanks for sharing the measurements! Those are super-helpful.
Clarissa says
I wonder if you could use t-shirts. I am into recycling t-shirts.
meaghanmountford says
Hi Clarissa, I bet you could (although you might know more than me on this one). The edges would ravel considerably, but that might even work in its favor!
Clarissa says
Thank you for the reply. I will attempt to make one and send you the finished project.
Judi smith says
Thank you Amanda for sharing these beautiful scarfs. My 8 year old granddaughter and I made 3 of them tonight. We love them!
meaghanmountford says
Thanks so much Judi! I’m so glad they worked for you!!
Karla Kensey says
How big is the circle? Is it from a regular oatmeal lid? It is hard to tell in the video. Love the video, so helpful.
meaghanmountford says
Hi Karla, it’s a 4-inch circle! Any comparable circle template would work!