How To Tie A Scarf (2)

Woman who is wearing a neck knot scarf — Photo: Denis Galushka/Shutterstock

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Uses for the Kerchief Fold:

Among the uses for the kerchief fold are the neckerchief and cowl/bandana, which are worn around the neck. To create the neckerchief, take the folded scarf with the border-side down and loosely wrap it around the neck. Tie the ends so that the knot falls along the sternum (breastbone) of the chest. The remaining triangular portion of the scarf will drape along the shoulders and down the upper back, resembling a mini-cape.

The cowl/bandana is tied in a similar manner, except that the scarf is tied so that the knot is at the back, and the triangle of material covers the upper chest and loosely drapes around the neck. Both of these looks are useful for dressing up a simple top and adding a touch of interest and color to an otherwise plain outfit.

As a hair accessory, you can take the kerchief fold and place the border-edge along the forehead or the front of the hairline, then bring the corners around to be tied at the nape of the neck. This is the traditional "kerchief" look from which the fold gets its name. The rear point can be left loose, as is traditional, or tucked under the knot at the back to create a skullcap look, which is sometimes desired for better control and coverage of short hair.

How to use kerchief fold scarves for a neckerchief or snood

Cowl fold to make a silk scarf cover the upper chest — Photo: Pixelshot/Canva

And just like the neckerchief/cowl looks, this one can also be reversed. By taking the kerchief fold scarf and placing the border edge along the nape of the neck, then tying the ends at the top of the head, you can tuck the point under the knot and create a snood. This is great for keeping the hair covered while doing chores or for hiding rollers and styling tools that need to be worn while the hair dries.

Furthermore, depending on the type of scarf you use, it can also serve as an accessory to hold a nest of curls for a quick and easy up-style. By adding decorative hairpins to secure the scarf, you can create a lovely look.

Bias Fold:

How to tie a scarf with the bias fold or roll

The bias fold is the final one among our basic scarf folds, and it is just as versatile as the linear fold. It adds a touch more sophistication to the same uses as the linear fold scarves, thanks to its pointed ends resulting from the specific folding technique.

To execute the bias fold, take your square scarf and lay it on a flat surface. Then, fold opposing corners over so that the points meet in the middle of the scarf. Crease these folds and bring the folded edges over to meet along the center of the scarf. Continue in this way until you’ve made the scarf as narrow as you wish it to be when you fold it along the center line where the initial points met.

Alternatively, you can opt to roll the scarf. To do this, take the square scarf, fold it at an angle by bringing two opposing points together, and crease the center fold. Roll the folded edge of the scarf and continue until you have completely wound the scarf. This creates a spiral effect along the length of the rolled scarf, adding a decorative touch when worn. If you want the scarf to look smooth, just roll the it by starting with the point opposite the folded edge.

Uses for the Bias Fold/Rolled Scarf:

The uses for this fold of a scarf are the same as with the linear fold. You can wear it as an Alice band, pony tie, or neck knot. The difference is that when folded or rolled on the bias, you achieve pointed ends or decorative spirals along the loose ends of the scarf.

Experiment with different folds and uses of scarves to see how the variety works for you. It can make a significant difference when it comes to adding just the right pop of color or interest to your look.

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