Figure 1.--This traditional Catholic French Scout has rolled his kerchief so there is almpst no back triangle. Click on the image to see how a tightly rolled kerchief looks at the front.

Although not readily apparent, there are may ways in which a kerchief or scarve can be worn. One difference to begin with is the size of the kerchief. They come in different sizes and thus affecting how they are worn. The boy has to decide to wear it under or over his collar and wether to button the collar. Some Scout shirts came without collars, but most scout and other youth organization shirts had collars. The boy or group then has to decide on how much of a triangle to show at his back. These are some of the basic decissions affecting hpw the scarfe is worn. Variations exist between organizations, and countries as wella as over time. There have also been differenes between units of the same organization.

Wearing It Right

Some groups had very definite opinions about how the kerchief was worn. James E. West, Chief Scout Executive, says: "We are anxious to have the co-operation of every Scout and Scout Official in making effective the regulations covering the Official Uniform, Insignia and Badges. To tolerate a conscious disregard for requirements, even in simple matters, breeds disrespect for law and order. When I have found boys wearing the neckerchief under instead of over the shirt collar, it developed that invariably the Scouts, and indeed their own Scoutmaster, did not understand the correct way of wearing the neckerchief. I am anxious that every Scout and Scout Official study the diagram, wear the neckerchief in the right way, and that he invite the attention of other fellows to the right way when he finds them wearing it wrong."

Organizations

Some organizations have definite ways in which they wanted the kerchief worn. But this has varoed among cpuntries, groups, and even units as well as over time. Usually this was a group decission and some groups were strict about it. Other groups and units did not give great attention to it.

Boy Scout kerchiefs

Scouting organizations have established very specific guidelines for wearing the kefchief. "Here is the proper way for a Scout to fold and wear his neckerchief. First, fold the neckerchief once to get the triangle. According to the size of the boy, turn the long edge over about three inches, smoothly once or twice, or even three times, to insure the neckerchief lying smoothly at the back and hanging correctly in front." the number of cross-folds--if any--governed by the size of the Scout, in order to assure smooth set at back. The half-neckerchief, when used, takes the same folds. Place around the neck over the collar of the shirt, insert the slide up over the ends to the point where the knot would be if tied as a four-in-hand necktie. Then tie the two loose ends in an overhand knot, as if it were one piece of material. This lower knot is a constant reminder of the Daily Good Turn.

Sea Scouts

The Sea Scout method of wearing the neckerchief differs from the method used in shore Scouting. The sea-going Scout will prepare his kerchief as do the sailors in the Navy, finishing with a flat knot on the tails. This type of neckerchief does not look well unless covered by a wide collar; consequently it is not used with the khaki uniform but only with the sailor collar. In connection with the preparation of your own Turk's head knot for a home-made slip-on, the Sea Scout Manual gives a description of the way to make a Turk's head, as follows: Take two round turns around the rope on which you intend working the knot, or around the index finger of your left hand. Pass the upper bight down through the lower, and reeve the upper end down through it; then pass the bight up again, and reeve the end over the lower bight and up between it and the upper one; dip the upper down through the lower bight again, reeve the end down over what is now the upper bight, and between it and the lower; and so proceed, working round to your right until you meet the other end when you pass through the same bight and follow the other end round and round until you have completed a plait of two, three or more lays, along the three strands of the Turk's head.

Hitler Youth

Natioanlist Groups

Different Approaches

Although not readily apparent, there are may ways in which a kerchief or scarve can be worn. One difference to begin with is the size of the kerchief. They come in different sizes and thus affecting how they are worn. The boy has to decide to wear it under or over his collar and wether to button the collar. Some Scout shirts came without collars, but most scout and other youth organization shirts had collars. The boy or group then has to decide on how much of a triangle to show at his back.

Collar buttoning

The organization member had to decided wether to button his collar or not. A buttoned collar gabe a much more formal look. American Scouts often buttoned their cpllats. Some Scout shirts came without collars, but most Scout and other youth organization shirts had collars. Hitler Youth boys often had unbuttoned collars.

Collar position

The boy has to decide to wear it under or over his collar. When worn overr the collar the kerchief was much more prominent. Wearing it under the collar gave much more emphasis to the shirt. Some of the larger scarves were difficult top sear under the collar.

Back triangle

The boy or group then has to decide on how much of a triangle to show at his back. Often Scout groups wanted a large lerchief trangle to show at back. Some organizations and units, however, would roll the lerchief so there was virtyally no trinagle at tde back. Most of the groups rolling their kerchiefs were Scouts. The most common approach in Scouting, however, was to shosw a large kerchief at the back. Other groups chose a middle ground between these two extreems.