The Radiant Scarf and Cowl pattern uses one of my favorite combinations – one self-striping yarn and one solid color yarn – plus simple crochet stitches to create a gorgeous gradient effect. I originally made a cowl using this technique but found myself really wishing for a full sized scarf. Thankfully this pattern is incredibly easy to adapt and looks beautiful as a cowl or a scarf. Read on for the full free pattern plus video tutorial below!
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Supplies
- Any worsted weight, one self-striping (250-500y) and one solid (125-250y). I used Juniper Moon Farm Cumulus Rainbow (self-striping) and Cumulus (solid) (251y/100g, 94% cotton, 6% nylon). You can use other weights of yarn, but you will need to adjust the stitch count to achieve your desired width of scarf.
- For Scarf, I used colors 205, Lotus Flower (2 balls) and O2 Stone (1 ball)
- For Cowl, I used colors 221 Misty Dawn (1 ball) and 13 Greyhound (1 ball)
- Size H crochet hook
- Yarn/Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends.
Stitch Abbreviations
- ch chain
- yo yarn over
- st(s) stitch(es)
- sk skip
- dc double crochet
- puff Puff Stitch
Pattern Notes
This scarf can be made using any yarn, any weight, any size by easily adjusting the stitch count in multiples of 2 to adjust to desired width, and simply crochet as long as you want for your desired length of scarf.
Color A is your background color and is the color you start with, usually a solid color yarn.
Color B is your secondary color, which will be your color-changing yarn if you choose the same options that I did. This is the color with which you will make puff stitches.
Gauge is 15 rows and 15 sts in 4″ crocheting in pattern.
Finished size is approximately 7″ wide by 3′ long (cowl) or 6′ long (scarf).
Special Stitches
Puff Stitch:
yo, insert hook in designated stitch, pull up a loop to height of current row (about half to ¾ inch), (yo, pull up a loop in same place) twice more, yo and pull through all loops on hook.
YouTube Video Tutorial
How to Make The Radiant Scarf/Cowl
- With A, ch 28, dc in 6th ch from hook, *ch1, sk1, dc in next st, repeat from * across, do not turn. (13 dc, including turn ch)
2. Join B to starting ch stitch just to the right of first A-color dc, pull up a loop, (yo, pull up a loop) three times, yo and pull through all sts (starting puff created), ch1, (puff, ch1) in each sk st across. You should end with a puff stitch just to the right of the last A-color dc. (12 puffs)
3. Pick up A color loop, ch 4 (counts as first dc, ch1), turn, make sure loop of B color is in front of the work and working strand of B color is in the back of the work. dc in next A color dc of row below (work over B color ch) – the A color yarn should be to the right of this dc. *ch1, dc in next A color dc of row below, repeat from * across. Do not turn.
4. Pick up B color loop, pull loop up to puff st height, make puff in first puff stitch of row below, working over A color yarn so it is hidden in the middle of the puff, ch1, *puff in next puff st of row below, working over A color yarn, ch1, repeat from * across
5. Repeat rows 3-4 to desired length, ending with A-color row. For scarf, begin second ball of color changing yarn from the opposite ends so the colors line up and make a gradual change back to the starting color. For cowl, work until desired length or color B runs out, then sew or crochet ends together to form a loop.
6. Finish off, weave in ends.
If you liked this pattern, you may also like the Block Party Gloves or the Cobblestone Scarf.
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