How to Crochet a Scarf for Beginners – Free Pattern

Do you want to learn how to crochet a scarf? If so, this free pattern is a perfect choice – especially for beginners. It’s a simple and easy ribbed scarf pattern that will teach you all the basics of crocheting.

The best part about this simple pattern is that it’s completely customizable; use your favorite color of yarn, add fringe, or double it up to create your own unique look! So what are you waiting for? Grab your hooks, and let’s start crocheting!

Design Notes

• The scarf is made with a large size crochet hook and super bulky yarn, so it works up quickly! Most people say it takes about 2-3 hours to make, so it’s great for a weekend project or a last-minute gift.
• The pattern is designed to use up every bit of two skeins of Wool-Ease Thick and Quick. (If playing yarn chicken stresses you out, go ahead and pick up that extra third skein.)
• The chunky yarn and ribbed texture make this scarf super warm and cozy. It’s perfect for winter days and chilly nights.

Pattern Stitches: HDC Ribbing

The body of the scarf is made with a crochet ribbing stitch, called “half double crochet in the back loops only” (abbreviated HDC BLO).

This ribbing stitch is very similar to regular half-double crochet – the only thing that changes is where you’ll insert your hook. Instead of inserting the hook under both the front and back loops of each stitch, you’ll insert the hook under the back loop only. 

Making the hdc through the back loop only makes a stretchy crochet ribbing that’s perfect for scarves. It creates a warm and cozy texture that looks like knitting.

If you’ve never done HDC BLO before, don’t worry. I’ll show you how to make this crochet stitch in the pattern below.

Scarf Pattern Variations

Here are a few ways you can customize this pattern to suit your style.

Size: The pattern is easy to adjust to make longer or shorter scarves. To make a shorter scarf, make a starting chain with fewer stitches. To make a longer scarf, make a starting chain with more stitches.

Fringe: You can add fringe to the short ends of the scarf. If you choose to add fringe, you may need a 3rd skein of yarn.

Infinity Scarf Variation: To make a crochet infinity scarf, you can seam the two short ends of the scarf. Seaming the scarf will create a large loop of fabric that you can double up and wear around your neck.

How Long Should a Crochet Scarf Be?

A crochet scarf can be as long as you want! Depending on how many times you prefer to wrap a scarf around your neck, you can make a longer or shorter scarf.

On average, crochet scarves are between 60″ and 70″ long. The old rule of thumb is that a crochet scarf should be as long as the wearer is tall. This ensures that the wearer can wrap the scarf around their neck at least once.

I designed this pattern to be 66″ long – that’s five and a half feet. 

Chunky Scarf Crochet Pattern

Pattern Description

• Skill Level: Beginner/Easy
• Finished Size: 66″ long and 6″ wide for an Adult size scarf.
• Gauge: 7.5 sts per 4″ in HDC BLO

Materials

• Yarn: 2 skeins Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick (Category 6), or another super bulky weight yarn. Grab an extra skein if you want to make a longer scarf or if you want to add fringe to your scarf.
• Crochet Hook: N/M 9 mm hook, or whichever size hook you need to meet gauge

You’ll also need: 

• yarn needle or tapestry needle
• scissors
• stitch markers, if desired
• ruler or tape measure, if desired

Stitches and Abbreviations

• st/sts – stitch/stitches
• ch – chain
• hdc – half double crochet
• BLO – back loops only

Special Stitches

Almost all stitches will be made in the Back Loops Only. You will see this abbreviated in the pattern as BLO.

What does “back loop only” mean?

If you look at the top of a row of crochet stitches, you’ll see that the stitches form little V shapes. Hold a piece of crochet fabric with the V’s on top – the part of the V closest to you is called the front loop, and the part of the V furthest from you is called the back loop.

Usually, you would insert your hook under both the front and back loops to make a new stitch. In most of the stitches in this pattern, you’ll skip the front loops and insert the hook only under the back loops.

Pattern Notes

• This pattern is written in US terminology.
• The scarf is worked flat, back and forth in lengthwise rows.
• The turning ch-2 does not count as a stitch.
• Although almost all hdc stitches will be worked through the back loop, I find that working the first and last hdc stitches of each row under both loops can give you a cleaner edge.

How to Tie a Slip Knot

1. Make a loop of yarn, leaving a 6″ yarn tail. 
2. Insert the crochet hook through the center of the loop, from front to back.
3. Grab the ball-end yarn, and pull up a loop.
4. Tighten the slip knot by pulling on both yarn ends.

Alternate Start: More experienced crocheters may want to start with foundation hdc stitches, instead of a long starting chain. If you prefer to start with foundation stitches, make 124 fhdc.

Looking for More Crochet Ideas?

What’s Next?

Pin this post: Save this tutorial to your Pinterest boards so that you can come back to it later.

Leave a comment: We love to hear your feedback. Tell me in the comments below!

Share on Instagram or Facebook: When you make this project, share it on social media and tag me @sarahmaker_. We love to see what you make!

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