Baktus ai ferri: il piccolo scialle per ogni stagione

Baktus with knitting needles: the small shawl for all seasons

If you love to knit and are looking for a simple but rewarding project, a knitted baktus could be the perfect choice for you! Easy to make even for beginners, this versatile accessory is ideal for any season and a great gift idea.

What is a baktus and how does it differ from a shawl?

A baktus is a triangular scarf of Scandinavian origin, characterized by an elongated and tapered shape. Unlike a classic shawl, which often has a wider triangular or semicircular shape, a baktus is narrower and longer, allowing it to be easily wrapped around the neck without being bulky. Its construction is generally very simple: you start with a few stitches and progressively increase until the middle of the work, then decrease symmetrically.

Why knit a baktus?

Perfect for all skill levels – If you're a beginner, a baktus is a great way to practice increases and decreases without having to worry about complex patterns. If you're more experienced, you can personalize it with decorative stitches, lace patterns, or contrasting borders.
Versatile and comfortable – You can make it with light yarns for spring and autumn or with warmer wools for winter. Furthermore, thanks to its shape, it adapts well to different styles and can be worn in many ways.
Great gift idea – A handmade baktus is a special and unique gift, perfect for friends and family.
Perfect for using gradient or leftover yarns – If you have single skeins or gradient yarns, this project allows you to make the most of them without waste.

How to make it?

To create a knitted baktus you will need:

Needles appropriate for your chosen yarn (usually between 3.5 and 5 mm)
Approximately 100-150 grams of yarn (wool, cotton, or blend)
A tapestry needle to weave in ends

The simplest method involves casting on a few stitches (e.g., 4), increasing by 1 stitch every 4 rows until the desired length is reached, then starting to decrease in the same way until returning to the initial number of stitches.

This method is very useful for using up leftover yarn: just weigh the already worked part and the ball of yarn to see if you have reached the halfway point. I love accessories that allow me to use all the yarn I have.

More experienced knitters might start immediately with all the stitches needed for the length and, after 4 rows, begin to decrease, not with the traditional technique, or with the short row technique, leaving the stitches on the needle on hold... Finally, picking up all the stitches to work a nice round border!