Beginner's Easy Single Crochet Scarf Free Pattern

With Added Explanation For Every Part Of Each Row, by Sandi Marshall

The multicolor yarn Red Heart Multicolor Color No. 0940 Plum Pudding (shown in the photo above) resulted in diagonal stripes in this scarf pattern. There is also a subtle zig-zag color design that you can see when you focus on seeing the dark purple in the color pattern. Wider rows or different stitches crocheted in this same multicolor yarn will result in a different color pattern than the color pattern shown on this scarf, making a bit of mystery and anticipation surround the crocheting of a new item using multicolor yarn. What fun!

I have added a full explanation of the instructions for each row. By following this pattern, you can learn about the most basic crochet abbreviations, beginning pattern reading and understand how to do some of the most common instructions that you will find in every pattern.

Materials Used In This Example
U.S. Worsted Weight Yarn:
5 oz. Red Heart Multicolor Color No. 0940 Plum Pudding
For (optional) fringe: Small amount of Red Heart Color No. 0776 Dk. Orchid
U.S. size I hook

Finished Size: 4 inches wide

Gauge: 9 sc rows = 2 inches, 7 sc = 2 inches

Gauge is not important in this pattern because scarves come in many different widths and any width you end up with is fine. The length is determined by the number of rows that you crochet. Scarves vary greatly in length, from about 55 inches long to super long scarves that are over 100 inches long. Decide for yourself what length you want your own scarf to be.

More of this Feature • Printer-Friendly Page     Related Resources • Single Crochet How To • How To Add Fringe • How To Weave In Ends • More How To Pages • Free Patterns A-Z Links

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
chs = chains
ea = each
sc = single crochet
st = stitch

See the Related Resources box on the right for links to how-to pages for these stitches.

If you've never crocheted before or, if it has been a long time, this step-by-step photo tutorial for the starting chain can help you get started: Starting Chain

To Begin: Chain 15.
Row 1, Abbreviated Instructions: sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in ea of next 13 chs, ch 1 (to turn). (14 sc)
Further explanation for Row 1: When you single crochet in the second chain from the hook, do not count the chain that is already on the hook. Count the first chain that is not on the hook as the first chain and single crochet in the next chain. It is easier to do each single crochet for this first row in one loop only of each chain and you can use the remaining loop of each chain for adding fringe to the end, when you have finished crocheting the scarf. At the end of the Row 1 directions, where it says (14 sc), that means that you should have 14 single crochet altogether when you have finished the row. The chain 1 at the end of the row makes it possible to turn the crocheted piece around so you can start the next row (a chain 1 is used to turn when the next row will start with a single crochet stitch).
Row 2, Abbreviated Instructions: sc in ea sc across, then ch 1, to turn. (14 sc)
Further explanation for Row 2: Single crochet in each single crochet across. When a pattern doesn't say to work in one loop only of a stitch, it is assumed that you will be working (crocheting) in both loops of the stitch (you will insert the hook under both top loops of the stitch to begin making the next single crochet). In this pattern, you will crochet in both loops of each single crochet for row 2 and all additional rows. If you are confused about which parts of a stitch would be one loop or both loops, see the photos on this page: http://crochet.about.com/library/blbackfrontloop.htm. At the end of the Row 2 directions, where it says (14 sc), that means that you should have 14 single crochet altogether in the row when you have finished that row.
Additional Rows: Repeat row 2, until the scarf is as long as you want it to be.
Very Last Row, Abbreviated Instructions: sc in ea sc across. (14 sc)
Further explanation for Very Last Row: Single crochet in each single crochet across. Do not chain 1 at the end of the row (as in the other rows) because no turning chain is needed on the last row.
End off: Leaving a length of yarn to weave in (to secure the end), cut the yarn. Pull the cut end of the yarn through the final loop that is left on the hook. Weave in ends.
Finishing: Add fringe to the ends, if you wish to.

Copyright: My example photo and my written instructions on this page are copyright 2005 by Sandi Marshall, licensed to About.com, Inc. Free for your own personal use only. You are welcome to link to this page but, per copyright law, do not place the actual content of the page on your own website; do not redistribute in any form! If others would like to have the instructions, please give them the URL of this page, so that they may come here for themselves. Thank you!
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