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This textured, modern crochet scarf is a lot easier than it looks! Using different stitches and changing colors for each row creates a beautiful, eye-catching fabric that’s perfect for a statement accessory. Read on to find the inspiration behind this design, or scroll down for the free crochet scarf pattern!

I didn’t have a plan in mind when I originally started this design. I had picked up some pretty skeins of Red Heart Soft Essentials yarn when they were on sale (because who can resist yarn when it’s on sale?) and I wasn’t sure what to make with them at first. This yarn is thick and smooth, and it has great stitch definition, so I knew I wanted to design something that would really showcase it. I loved working with this yarn! I’m sometimes wary of heavier weight acrylic yarns, and especially yarn that’s so sleek and smooth, since it often splits and/or gets fuzzy. But I was pleasantly surprised with this yarn; I didn’t have any trouble with splitting or fraying, and the yarn glided smoothly over the hook (a bamboo hook from one of my favorite sets).

Another thing I was impressed with is that when I goofed up and accidentally switched to a 6.5mm aluminum hook in the middle of the project (always write your project notes down, kids) the yarn didn’t warp or pucker, and while my gauge did tighten, it’s not really that noticeable! I think the sleek nature of the yarn makes the finished scarf more flexible and drapey than you’d think it would be. So that was a big plus! And yes, I eventually realized and switched back to the 8mm hook.

Mixing different crochet stitches is my new jam when it comes to designing patterns, so naturally I wanted to incorporate that into it as well. For this piece, I utilized some of my favorite variations on the basic stitches, like crossed half double crochet and herringbone half double crochet. I love the look of all the different stitches coming together to create a unique texture, and what better way to show off all those pretty stitches than a big ol’ scarf?

I’m still pretty new to colorwork in crochet, so deciding to switch colors for every row seemed like… not such a good idea at first. But it’s not as scary as it seems, especially with all the helpful color-changing tutorials out there, and I love how the colors turned out! I used Biscuit for the main color, and Charcoal and Cream for the accents. Biscuit is such a unique shade of taupe, and it almost has a grayish-lilac cast in certain lighting, so I’m pretty obsessed with it. It pairs so well with the dark Charcoal and the soft Cream! I might be a little biased, though; I’m a big fan of neutral shade combos.

You’re probably thinking “changing colors is all fine and dandy, but why the heck would you want to weave in fifty million ends?”. And that’s where you’re mistaken, my friend. Weaving in ends is my arch nemesis, and with yarn this smooth, I knew it was going to be a Herculean task. So I cheated and fastened off the ends but didn’t weave them all the way through, because ain’t nobody got time for that. Instead I decided to hide it with fringe! I actually love the way the fringe turned out; it’s slightly uneven but it looks intentional, and it gives the finished piece a little bit of eclectic flair, I think. (Not sure if all those unwoven ends are going to like the washing machine, but we’ll cross that bridge later.)

Overall, this was a fun piece to make, and I feel like I really got to flex some of my newfound skills like color changes and fringe-making. It may look intimidating, but once you get going, this project is easy and fast to complete for all skill levels!

Pattern

The Stone Harbor Scarf is a bold, unique statement scarf with striking texture and fringe detailing. This super-sized scarf is solid and warm, yet drapey, and perfect for a windy afternoon in the city. You can find the free crochet pattern below, or click here to get the ad-free printable PDF version! You can also check out my Ravelry store for even more of my original patterns in PDF format. Please read the pattern notes before you begin this pattern.

Finished size: 

Without fringe – 5 1/2′ long x 7″ wide

With fringe – 6 1/2′ long x 7″ wide

Materials:

2 skeins of Red Heart Soft Essentials in Biscuit

1 skein of Red Heart Soft Essentials in Charcoal

1 skein of Red Heart Soft Essentials in Cream

Size US L-11 (8mm) crochet hook (I love these!)

Sharp scissors

Tapestry needle

Book or cardboard, approximately 6 1/2″ to 7″ wide

Abbreviations:

st – stitch

sl st – slip stitch

sk – skip

ch – chain

sc – single crochet

Special Stitches:

hbdc – herringbone double crochet: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through first loop on hook. Yarn over, pull through two loops on hook. Yarn over, pull through last loop on hook.

chdc – crossed half double crochet: Skip first stitch, yarn over, insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through three loops on hook. Yarn over, insert hook into the previous stitch (the one you skipped) and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through three loops on hook.

sc spike stitch – Single crochet by inserting your hook into the gap made by the previous row’s stitches (in this pattern, those gaps will be the ones made by the previous rows of crossed half double crochets), pulling up a long loop, yarning over, and pulling through two loops on hook.

Skill level: Easy+ This pattern uses different variations on basic stitches and techniques like color changes.

Gauge: Not crucial for this project

Notes:

This pattern uses US crochet terms.

Instructions inside * indicate a repeat.

Ch1 and ch2 at the beginning of each row do not count as stitches.

If you’re adding fringe, don’t weave in all your ends! When changing colors, make sure that you cut the tails at an even length (anywhere from 6″-7″ long depending on how long you want your fringe to be), and simply fasten them off to make sure that they’re secure. Or if you’re forgoing the fringe, take your tapestry needle and weave away!

Stone Harbor Free Crochet Scarf Pattern

Get the ad-free, printable PDF version of this free crochet scarf pattern here, or check out my Ravelry store for even more of my original patterns in a convenient downloadable format!

Scarf

Ch 101.

Row 1: Using color A, sc in 2nd st from hook and across, turn.

Row 2: Using color B, ch2, hbdc (herringbone double crochet – see Special Stitches) in first st and in each st across, turn.

Row 3: Using color A, ch1, sc in first st and in each st across, turn.

Row 4: Using color C, repeat row 2.

Row 5: Using color A, ch 2, chdc (crossed half double crochet – see Special Stitches) in each st across, turn.

Row 6: Using color B, ch1, sc in the 3rd loop of the first st and in each st across, turn.

Row 7: Using color A, repeat row 5.

Row 8: Using color C, repeat row 6.

Row 9: Using color A, ch 1, sc in first st. Sk next st, sc spike stitch (see Special Stitches) in the gap made by the crossed half double crochet stitches in row 7. *Sc in next st, sk next st, sc spike st in chdc gap* Repeat until you reach the last st. Sc in last st, turn.

Row 10-19: Starting with color B and continuing the color pattern (which would now be B, A, C, A, and so on), repeat rows 1-9.

Row 20: Using color A, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across.

If you haven’t already secured the tails of each row, knot them and weave them through a small section to secure them, then leave the rest of the tail loose if you’re adding fringe. If not, weave in the rest of the tails, and you’re finished!

Fringe

To make the fringe, you’ll want to take your scissors and either a book or a piece of sturdy cardboard, measuring around 7 inches wide. Wrap the yarn around the book width-wise, holding the end of the tail even with the edge of the book.

Depending on how much fringe you want, wrap your yarn anywhere from 10 to 20 times around the book, then hold the working yarn under your thumb. Cut one side of the wrapped yarn, making sure you also cut the working yarn, and then you can remove the strands and separate them.

To attach the fringe to your scarf, take a crochet hook and insert it into the space where you want your fringe to hang. Loop 2-3 short strands around the hook, making sure that the ends of the strands line up, and pull the hook through about an inch or two. This makes a loop at the top, which you’ll thread the ends of the strands up through, and pull tight.

You can match the colors of your fringe to the corresponding rows like I did, or mix it up and alternate the colors of fringe. I used 2 strands per section of fringe, and attached a section to the end of each row. This made my fringe nice and fluffy, and it hid all the unwoven tails.

And after all the fringe is added, you’re finished! If you have a garment steamer, you can use it to straighten the fringe, depending on the look you want. I like my fringe to be a little more “untamed”, so I leave it alone (though I don’t have a garment steamer so that’s actually the main reason). I hope you enjoyed this free crochet scarf pattern! If you have any questions or comments about this pattern, leave a comment below.

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More Em’s Fiber Arts crochet patterns you might like to try:

Toasted Marshmallow Throw Blanket

Velvet Dream Super Plush Circle Scarf

Easy Corner To Corner Baby Blanket

Happy crocheting!