I started thinking about the design of this scarf by going back to when I was taught to knit by my mother. I thought it should be something that anyone could do (I hate those craft projects that look fabulous in photographs but when you follow the instructions, you give up halfway through because they are just too complicated). So, here it is... the simplest of all knitting stitches - the one that everyone starts with: plain.

In essence, this piece is two very easy straight scarves held together by a knit loop (tube). Then, by threading both scarves through the loop, you create a fantastic bow. This is also one of those pieces that an experienced knitter can adapt and make more complex, while retaining the basic idea.

The scarf is quick to knit (you can finish it in a few hours if experienced, or over a weekend if teaching a child). It is also versatile, as you can embroider beads on to it, add a fringe, make it longer, shorter or multicoloured. The possibilities are endless.

For buying yarns, I recommend the knitting departments at Liberty or Peter Jones/John Lewis. They have fabulous colours and give good advice to beginners. I used the Rowan wool-cashmere blend with a finer Lurex doubled up.

This scarf is the perfect winter warmer and I Iove it worn with a chunky hand-knit, a pair of jeans and a fabulous cashmere hat. Wrap up and enjoy!

To make the Pringle bow scarf, you will use the “garter” stitch. This is created by knitting rows of plain stitch.

What you need:

2 x balls cashsoft chunky yarn in black (SH712) - 57% wool, 33% acrylic, 10% cashmere

1 x ball cashsoft Aran in grey (SH016) - 57% wool, 33% acrylic, 10% cashmere

1 x ball shimmer in silver (SH92) - 60% cupro, 40% polyester

All yarns are Rowan hand-knit yarns, which can be bought at John Lewis or most haberdashery shops.

2 x needles (in different sizes) - we used: (UK size) 4 and 000

1. You will be knitting three separate pieces on very unequal-sized needles in garter stitch, one row per colour (this is the tidy way to get single-row stripes)

2. Start with the loop - the centre of the bow - just in black yarn. Cast on eight stitches (on a small needle), knit garter. Stitch 18 rows and then cast off.

3. The Bow. Cast on 16 stitches, knitting one row per colour (eg, black, black, grey) in garter stitch. Stitch 56 rows and then cast off. Fold the oblong over twice and sew together with a simple back stitch, flat.

4. The Scarf. Cast on 16 stitches and 125 rows (or until the black yarn runs out). We mixed Lurex with the grey for extra festive fun!

5. Sew the loop together to make it look like a napkin ring; insert the bow. Secure bow and loop at the front with a few stitches. Insert scarf through back of loop from each side. Place round neck, tighten and enjoy!

Times recommends

• Live chat: Thrifty ways to update your winter wardrobe
• Is anybody out there really listening?
• Nutrition Q&A: Will eating late make me fat?