The short answer
Hold the scarf by its long edge. Point at the back, ends knotted in front is the front knot, the cozy knit look. Point at the front, knot at the back is the bandana bib. Roll it into a band and knot at the side for a neckerchief. Over the hair, tie at the nape or under the chin.
The diagrams below use a simple figure; the scarf is drawn in the colors of each method. Where a method comes from a maker’s or publisher’s guide, we credit it.
At the neck
The front knot
Works with Knit triangles with ties, winter coats. Method as described by TBCo.
- Find the ends
Hold the scarf with the long edge up and the two ends (or ties) in your hands.
- Point to the back
Drape it over your shoulders from the front so the point hangs down your back.
- Tie in front
Bring the ends round to the front and tie a loose knot, leaving one end a little longer.
- Adjust
Shift the knot slightly off center for an asymmetric finish, as TBCo suggests.
The bandana bib
Works with Bandanas, kerchiefs and small knits.
- Lay it flat
Lay the scarf flat with the long edge at the top. A square bandana gets folded corner to corner first.
- Point to the front
Hold the long edge against your neck with the point hanging down your chest, and take both ends behind your neck.
- Knot at the back
Tie the ends in a double knot at the back of your neck, under your hair or over it.
- Settle the point
Pull the point straight and loosen the neck edge until it sits flat rather than tight.
The neckerchief
Works with Silk triangles, bandanas, thin knits. Method as described by TBCo.
- Start flat
Lay the scarf flat, long edge at the top.
- Roll it up
Roll or fold from the point up toward the long edge until you have a band a few inches deep.
- Wrap and knot
Put the middle of the band at the front of your neck, cross the ends behind, bring them back round and knot.
- Slide to the side
Slide the knot to one side and fan out the ends. Keep it snug, not tight.
The ascot
Works with Silk triangles with an open collar.
- Fold a band
Fold the scarf into a band, leaving the middle a little wider than the ends.
- Wrap the neck
Center the band at the back of your neck and bring the ends to the front, one longer than the other.
- Loop and puff
Cross the long end over the short one, bring it up through the neck loop and let it fall over the knot. Tuck it into an open collar.
Over the shoulders
The classic drape
Works with Large knits and triangle shawls. Method as described by TBCo.
- Point to the back
Hold the long edge and put the scarf over your shoulders with the point at the back.
- Ends to the front
Let both long ends fall down the front of your coat or sweater.
- Arrange
Smooth the ends over your knitwear or tuck them into the lapels of a coat.
The shoulder throw
Works with Longer knits and shawls, over a coat. Method as described by The Zoe Report.
- Point to the front
Hang the scarf from your neck with the point at the front.
- Throw one end
Take one end and toss it over the opposite shoulder so the triangle lies across your chest and shoulder.
- Leave it loose
Leave it unknotted, or pin the end under a coat collar so it stays put. Longer scarves work best for this.
On the hair
The kerchief, tied at the nape
Works with Hair scarves, bandanas, silk. Method as described by American Cancer Society.
- Fold to a triangle
Fold a square scarf corner to corner, or use a true triangle.
- Long edge at the hairline
Put the long edge across your forehead or just behind your hairline, point at the back, ends over your ears.
- Knot over the point
Tie the ends at the nape of your neck over the point. The American Cancer Society notes a kerchief only needs to be tied once.
The old Hollywood
Works with Knit and silk triangles, windy days. Method as described by Harper’s Bazaar via AOL.
- Point to the back
Hold the long edge and lift the scarf over your head, point hanging at the back.
- Frame the face
Pull the long edge forward so it frames your face and covers your hair.
- Tie under the chin
Knot the ends under your chin, or cross them and tie at the nape for a neater line.
The bandana headband
Works with Bandanas and small silk scarves.
- Fold to a triangle
Fold a square bandana corner to corner.
- Fold into a band
Fold from the point toward the long edge until the band is one to two inches wide.
- Tie on top
Place the band at the nape, bring the ends up over the head and knot on top, a little off center.
Which knot for which scarf
Matching the knot to the scarf
| Scarf | Best knots |
|---|---|
| Knit with ties | Front knot, bib, old Hollywood |
| Silk triangle | Neckerchief, ascot, kerchief at the nape |
| Bandana | Bib, headband, neckerchief |
| Shawl | Classic drape, shoulder throw |
For styling the finished knot with outfits, see fall and winter outfits. If your knot will not hold, a scarf ring or clip does the job without one.
Questions people ask
What is the easiest way to tie a triangle scarf?
The bandana bib: point at the front, ends tied at the back of the neck. It works with any size from a bandana up, and you cannot get it wrong.
How do you tie a triangle scarf so it stays warm?
Use the front knot or the bib and pull it close to the neck. The Zoe Report suggests tying close and double knotting in cold, windy weather.
Can I use these with a square scarf?
Yes. Fold the square corner to corner to make a triangle first. A folded square is double thickness, so it makes a bulkier knot than a single layer triangle.
My triangle scarf is too small to knot. What can I do?
Use a scarf ring or clip instead of a knot, or choose the bib and tie the ends at the back where a small knot will not show. Scarves with ties solve this.
Search triangle scarves with ties
Sources
Last reviewed October 12, 2026. Styles, sizes and availability change; check the listing before you buy.