How to make the Guitar Hero scarf
Our infatuation with the "Guitar Hero scarf" was just too great and we needed to know how to make one. Given the fact that nobody on staff -- well, at least, openly -- knows how to knit or crochet, we had to get to the source for the pattern. We spoke with Domestic Scientist Renée White, who gave us a little more detail about how she came up with the idea, and ends up being kind enough to give us a very detailed explanation of how to make the scarf.
How'd you come up with the idea for the Guitar Hero scarf?
Renée White: In December, I was making scarves for Christmas presents while some friends played Rock Band and I waited for someone to let me have a turn, and I noticed that the scarf I was working on looked a lot like the fret board on the screen. Then I just had a head-smacking epiphany and thought "Why didn't I think of this sooner? It's so OBVIOUS!" Although Rock Band was the inspiration, I decided to go with the Guitar Hero style button though because they were cuter.
How much time did it take you?
RW: It took me about two months to finish, but that's just because I have attention span of a hyper-active gnat. If someone were to sit down and concentrate on just this one project, I think it could be finished in a week or two.
The buttons look like the hardest part. How'd you do that? How do they stay on?
RW: Those buttons were most definitely the hardest part! I originally tried a traditional circular stitch, like the one used in amigurimi dolls that are everywhere nowadays, but I found that stitch wasn't as sturdy as I would like for a garment that's going to be stretched and crumpled and abused the way scarves usually are. So instead of doing research on different stitches, which would have been a good idea, I just improvised. (Beware: Crafty jargon ahead!) I started with a 6 link chain stitch and connected it to itself. Then I started with the second color and went all the way around with a plain chain stitch, adding an extra stitch in when needed to keep the round shape, and repeated with the other colors until it was completed. To keep them on the scarf, I hand-sewed them on with a regular needle and thread. This way, they should stay on even under the worst treatment -- hopefully.
Of course, it depends on the yarn, but what are approximate costs to do this? Can you suggest various types of yarn?
RW: It's wasn't that pricey at all, actually. Besides 2 different crochet needles, you will need two skeins of the main color of yarn (I chose dark gray), and then just one skein of the other colors: Light gray, black, white, green, red, yellow, blue, and orange. If you have yarn scraps around in the right colors, you could even use those for the buttons. I spent less than $15 since I had a couple of the colors needed on hand already. As for suggesting types of yarn, I was worried more about being accurate with color than uniform yarn size, so I used 3 or 4 different brands. I used a medium Bernat Satin for the main body, for that soft, warm feel everyone loves in scarves. For the buttons, I used thinner, microspun yarns, like I Love This Yarn "sport" weight and Lion Brand Baby. I also tried Red Heart, but it was too stiff for this project.
OK, we're definitely going to try and get one of our skilled friends to make this for us. Could you please write us a detailed explanation on how to make this.:
From the desk of Renée White, Domestic Scientist:
This should be interesting since I can barely read crochet patterns. There was a method to my madness, so I will try to convey that. If anyone has a question, though, please feel free to contact me. And if there is a more experienced crocheter out there that can help explain this better, please let me know!
First you will need to find a riff from a song on Guitar Hero or Rock Band to base your design on. That's harder than it sounds. You can use practice mode on some of the newer versions of Guitar Hero, or you can search YouTube for someone that posted a video of themselves rockin' out to the song you want. This scarf was 22 "bars" long and it was over six feet, so keep that in mind when making your design.
For the main body of the Guitar Hero scarf:
Use a 5.5 MM or Size I hook
First do about 40 chain stitches (depending on the width you want and the yarn you are using) with Dark Gray. Then do 13 rows of a Single Crochet stitch with the same color.
Change to Light Gray and do one row of single crochet in that color.
Switch back to Dark Gray and repeat step one. I did this 22 times (for 22 bars), but you will need to adjust your number for the length of the riff you choose.
Finish off the body of the scarf with an edging of Light Gray. I used the single crochet stitch here again.
For the buttons:
Use a 3.5 MM or Size E hook
First chain stitch 6 stitches with a white yarn and then connect them to make a circle, tying the ends together. Cut off the yarn leaving an inch or two trailing (this comes into play later). There will be a little hole in the middle, but it will tighten up once you add the other colors.
Starting with the end of the circle you just made, add on the black yarn. This is where I had to improvise to get the right shape. I chained two stitches off of the first stitch, and then starting on the second stitch, chain stitch all the way around connecting every stitch, adding one stitch every three stitches or so to keep it round. Like I said, you may have to improvise. You want this to be circular, but also shaped like an inverse bowl. Do this with the black yarn all the way around the circle once. Then tie off the ends and cut off the yarn, once again leaving a couple of inches of yarn trailing behind the button.
Starting where you ended with the black yarn, add on the color of yarn for the button you are making (green, red, yellow, blue, or orange). As with step two, on the first stitch, chain stitch two, then one stitch for every stitch all the way around, adding a stitch every 3 or 4 stitches or so to keep it round. Go around in this fashion TWICE and then tie it off.
Starting where you ended with the colored yarn, repeat this process with the white yarn. Chain stitch two and then one stitch all the way around like in steps 2 and 3, tying it off at the end and cutting the yarn, leaving a tail.
This is a completed button! Now to attach the button to the scarf, collect all those little strands of yarn up and tuck them under the button. This will give the button it's 3D effect and keep it from deflating on itself. Position the button on the scarf where you want it and hold it in place with a pin or two.
Get a large needle and a sturdy white thread. Make a large knot in the end of the thread so it doesn't just fall out of the yarn later on. Do shallow stitches all the way around the exterior of the button from the back side of the scarf. If you can, try to hide the thread in the yarn with a slip stitch. You will want to do many small stitches to make sure the button is well attached to the scarf.
Now, sit back and admire your work before realizing you need to repeat this last part a couple dozen times with the other buttons.
Good Luck!
Mucho Internet Love-
Renée
