Hiding in Infinity

Hmmm, with a blog title like that this should perhaps be a Dr. Who episode.  Instead I'll just share a quick tutorial that some of you requested on how I constructed two infinity scarves with a security pocket for our recent travels abroad.  
Our travels are rather casual, active life trips,not really that much sightseeing going on so this scarf is something I was only going to use when I wanted some hands free time while still having my most important things like my passport and credit card on my person.  

Infinity scarf with security pocket

 They worked perfectly for that.  I wore the ITY knit one for a night at the theater and traveling by tube in London and the plain beige knit one while we were taking train travel and I wanted my hands free to carry my rolling suitcase and smaller travel bag up and down stairs and train platforms.  

ITY knit infinity scarf with security pocket

But I don't think I would ever use these scarves full time as my security travel accessory as the Sholdit is touted. Sholdit on Amazon A little too bulky at my shoulder neckline area for all day every day.  Your mileage, of course, may differ.
It is not necessary to put this pocket in an infinity scarf; I just happen to like the style particularly with a tunic top where it looks like a cowl but is de-tachable.  
First step, then, is to cut a scarf the length and width you prefer.  In knits, I usually cut a scarf the width of my fabric...from 54 to 58" long.  I make my knit scarves 18" wide.

Next I had to plan how large to make the actual pocket and where to place it.  I decided that I wanted the pocket to hold my passport at the largest (and maybe my cell phone and credit card) so my pocket measures:

Sample pocket to test the size I wanted

Chalk lines for finished pocket size

I also decided that I wanted the pocket to lay across my breastbone in the hollow of my upper chest.  I wear my infinity scarves with the center seam at the back of my neck.  That meant I would sew this zippered pocket approximately six inches from that back seam.
After cutting out the scarf fabric, it is time to sew a 9" invisible zipper starting six inches from the back neck seam edge.  I hope you are not afraid of invisible zippers.  Ever since I bought the invisible zipper foot for my Viking machine they are my favorite type to install.  Lightly interface the two seam allowances where the zipper will go then sew in the zipper in that area. (These pictures are slightly misleading since they are my first sample pictures.  The zipper area starts several inches further down on my actual scarves.)

Interface the zipper area with 3/4 inch strips of lightweight interfacing

The invisible zipper foot has a grove that guides the zipper teeth away from the needle

Invisible zipper sewn into the seam 

Opened zipper on my sample

But this is not a pocket yet. Don't sew the pocket right now.  Instead just sew up your infinity scarf as usual.  "As usual" for means sewing the long scarf tube then adding the "twist" that makes it an infinity scarf and not just a round tube.  
I pull the long tube so that the ends are facing right sides together inside one another.

Long tube pulled so that right sides are together....note the pin marking the mid-point to the left.

Now I keep right sides facing one another but twist this the inside tube so that the seam faces that pin and the other seam faces its opposite side.  You are creating a mobius-like twist for the scarf.
Sew that shorter seam allowance, leaving two inches unsewn to pull the scarf right side out.

Slipstitch those last two inches closed and you have an infinity scarf.....and now you need to sew the pocket area.
Go back to that invisible zipper section of your seam and chalk mark that rectangle size pocket that you decided you liked.  Sew that rectangle through both layers, using a jean seam jig to get over the zipper section at the beginning and end of the pocket.

The pocket outline was marked with chalk then I stitched over it to create the pocket.

Your security pocket infinity scarf is now done.

Now you see it.

Now you don't

Some of these RTW scarves are designed without that stitched pocket and the items inside your scarf float loosely all around.  I only wanted temporary use of this device so I have found the pocket much handier.  
Overall I am glad I made the scarves for my particular purpose but would not use them on a daily
 basis.  But isn't that the nicest thing about sewing new things?  It lets me try ideas for fashion and accessories without the major investment of buying them and then being disappointed and wasteful.  Here's hoping you find a way to create something handy in your life soon.