DIY: Crochet Scarf

I love scarves, and I have about twenty that I rotate through my wardrobe during the winter. Some of them have been bought, some of them I have made. Crocheting is an easy way to add more scarves to your winter wardrobe. All you need is a crotchet hook, yarn, and some time. Scarves are an inexpensive DIY gift for everyone—after all who does not like scarves? Most patterns are not complicated to learn and after some practice you can create some beautiful pieces for friends and family (and yourself). My babysitter taught me how to knit and crotchet when I was eight and I have been making gifts for my family ever since. Crocheting is as simple as making a knot using the hook and your finger.

I know it seems a bit counterintuitive to make a scarf during the summer since you will not be able to wear it without roasting, but it seems like everyone has more time in summer and crocheting can be a relaxing after work craft to do while you binge-watch your favorite summer shows. Once you get the basics down, creating a scarf is just repeating the pattern.

Here’s what you will need for a scarf:

1. One skein of yarn (they are typically sold in yards, so check that the roll has more than 150 yards or buy two), whatever color you want!

2. The yarn you select will typically tell you what size crochet hook to use, but I find that 6.5mm is a good size for basic scarves, no matter what type of yarn you are using.

3. Another skein of yarn in a different color (optional to add as fringe to the ends of your scarf)

Everything you crochet starts with a slip knot; just take the end of your yarn and wrap it around your left index finger, then pull the end through so there is an opening to slide your hook through. Then pull on both ends to tighten the knot.

Take the end of your yarn and wrap it around your left index finger, then pull the end through so there is an opening to slide your hook through.

Pull on both ends to tighten the knot.

Use your right thumb and index finger to hold the slip knot still on the hook. Use your left hand to wrap the yarn around the hook in front of the slip knot. Slide the knot and yarn towards the hook and pull the knot over the hook—this will create another loop on your hook.

Repeat steps 1-3, until you have fifteen stitches (knots) hanging from the hook. Add one more stitch—this is the lead in for the double stitch, which you will continue for the rest of your scarf.

After you have your chain, write down the amount of stitches in your chain—this is really important going forward because you might drop a stitch or have too many. Knowing the base number means you can undo the mistake. Another reason that looser stitches work better is that it is easier to count the stitches—that way you know if you missed one or need to add one.

I recommend starting with a chain of 15 for your first scarf.

To create a double stitch:

Take your hook and slide it through the middle of the 15th stitch. You should now have two loops on your hook. Use your left hand to wrap the yarn around the hook (in front of the two loops)

Holding the yarn in your left hand, pull the loop closest to your left hand over the yarn. You will now have two loops on your hook.

Use your left hand to wrap the yarn over your hook. Then pull the two loops closest to your right hand over the yarn on the left.

You should now have one loop on your hook.

Repeat steps 1-4, counting down until you have reached the end of the chain.

Now that you have the double stitch down, it is time to continue with the rest of your scarf.

Flip your chain around so that the stitches you just created are in your left hand. Add another stitch and then slide your hook through the middle of the last stitch you created (the 15th stitch).

Be sure that you stick the hook through the middle of the double stitch you created- this means you will have three loops on your hook. Using your left hand, wrap the yarn over the hook and pull the double loop over the yarn in your left hand. You should have two loops on your hook.

You should have two loops on your hook.

Use your left hand again to wrap more yarn over the hook in front of the two loops. Then pull the two loops closest to your right hand over the yarn in your left hand.

Repeat steps 8 through 11 until you reach the end of the end of the chain. Continue to repeat steps 7 through 12 until your scarf is the length you want.

Ending your scarf is very easy. Take a pair of scissors and cut! I prefer to measure out about five inches from my last stitch. Then you are going to pull the loose yarn through the loop on your hook and tighten. Then just double knot the end and cut off the excess yarn!

Crocheting is an easy DIY gift and with this basic scarf pattern you can even make infinity scarves. Just make your starting chain longer, and then double stitch until you reach a width that you like.