This is a free crochet pattern and video tutorial showing how to crochet the Shay Scarf, an easy single crochet scarf in bold and fun color blocks. 4 sizes included so you can make one for everybody in the family.
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Find the free crochet pattern instructions below, or purchase a printer-friendly, ad-free PDF on Ravelry by clicking here.
In a hurry? Pin this for later when you have more time!
I found myself one evening looking for a fun, easy project that I could do while cuddling with my cats and watching TV. I knew I wanted it to be a scarf, so I looked at my yarn stash to see what colorway/s I had that would be enough, and the purple section caught my eye. I love working color blocked patterns, and I really liked the idea of an ombre effect, especially since the darker color is a harder one to photograph in an entire project by itself, so it worked out perfectly! I grabbed the 3 purples I had, and went to work.
Shay is an easy crochet line that features simple single crochet stitches. This is a beginner friendly series, and this scarf is great project to pair with watching your favorite TV show or movie. Use a soft tape measure to measure as you go, and stop at the length desired. Working in a color block pattern, you’ll want to count once you’ve reached this measurement just to make sure the blocks are of even rows.
Find more Shay accessory and home decor crochet patterns on EyeLoveKnots, and Shay accessory and wearables crochet patterns here on Cre8tion Crochet.
Make a matching Shay Clutch, also worked in simple single crochet stitches.
Looking for another easy scarf crochet pattern? Try out the Brett Haylee Scarf!
What is the best yarn to use to crochet a scarf?
I’ve used Red Heart Super Saver for my scarf, but you can use any worsted weight yarn from your stash – pick your favorite! If the finished size is essential to you, then check your gauge, but if not, then just start crocheting – you can even go up to a #5 chunky weight yarn for an oversized, cozy scarf.
I picked Red Heart Super Saver because I wanted to use yarn that I had in my stash already, and after the first wash, it gets softer and cozier. Some of my other favorite worsted weight yarns for scarves, especially against the wind, are Lion Brand Wool Ease (wool and acrylic blend) and WeCrochet Swish (100% superwash merino wool). They’re soft, squishy, warm and hold up so well to wear and tear and machine washing and drying.
Do I have to work in a color block pattern?
You can work this scarf in a solid color, in the color blocks shown, or in stripes! Perfect project for stashbusting.
Do I need to work a border around my scarf?
I did add a border to my scarf for a more finished edging, but you do not need to add one. If you opt not to work a border, add two chains to the beginning to add two stitches to the width. The height can stay the same. This way the scarf comes out to about the same finished size.
If you would like to grab a free copy of the PDF for this pattern, make sure to check out the Pattern Notes section below.
Behind the Scenes of Cre8tion Crochet:
With my two biggest fans, Callie and Shiloh <3
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What Supplies Do I Need to Crochet a Single Crochet Scarf?
- 135 (270, 390, 600) Yards of Worsted Weight Yarn – I used Red Heart Super Saver in the Dark Orchid, Medium Purple and Orchid (I think) colorways for the Adult Small size; Respectively, it’s 45 (90, 130, 200) yards per block
- H8/5mm Crochet Hook – I love my ergonomic hooks from SiennasBowtique on Etsy
- Tapestry Needle
- Optional: Soft Tape Measure (if gauge is essential or to measure as you go)
Material Notes:
Similar Yarns: Bernat’s Super Value, Premier Yarns Everyday Soft, Lion Brand’s Heartland, WeCrochet Brava
Cozier Yarns (Wool Blends): Lion Brand Wool Ease, Berroco Vintage, Emma’s Washable Worsted, WeCrochet Swish
If you have concerns about using Red Heart Super Saver and similar because of the roughness and stiffness of the fabric, I have a couple tips!
- If the yarn is too rough for your hands to crochet with, remove the skein wrapper, place the skein into a mesh lingerie bag (I bought mine at JoAnn’s), then machine wash it by itself on the gentle cycle in cold water with a mild detergent. Once it’s finished, toss it into the dryer on low heat – you may need to run it through 2 – 3 times to get the center dry.
- To add softness and better drape to the finished piece, crochet in it’s entirety and weave in the ends, then wash and dry in the same manner (with or without the lingerie bag) or simply dry once with a dryer sheet.
How Long Does it Take to Crochet a Single Crochet Scarf?
I worked up the adult small size in just over five and a half hours.
Measurements:
- Toddler: 4 1/8″ by 31″
- Child: 5 3/4″ by 45 3/4″
- Adult Small: 6 1/4″ by 60 1/2″
- Adult Large: 7 1/8″ by 70 5/8″
Gauge (Not Essential):
Measure width of scarf after about 6 rows, and it will equal, respectively about: 3 1/2″, 5 1/4″, 5 3/4″, 6 1/2″.
Abbreviations (US Terms):
- SC – Single Crochet (Photo Tutorial)
- CA – Color A (Mine: Dark Orchid)
- CB – Color B (Mine: Medium Purple)
- CC – Color C (Mine: Orchid)
Pattern Notes:
Beginning chain 1 does not count as a stitch.
Working in the color block pattern, change colors in the last yarn over of the previous stitch to match the next color section.
As you work the border, if it begins to ruffle (caused from a change in tension), then you can go down a crochet hook size (to a G6/4.25mm) to work the border, or block the finished scarf.
Through 10/19/23 at 11:59pm EST, you can grab a free copy of the PDF for the Color Block Shay Scarf on Ravelry using code FREECROCHET202324. I earn my income from the number of pageviews my blog sees, so please do not share the code, but instead share the link to this post so others can find it. Thank you!
Color Block Shay Scarf, Video Tutorial:
Color Block Shay Scarf, Written Crochet Pattern:
In CA, chain 14 (20, 22, 25). SC into the 2nd chain, and each chain across. [13 (19, 21, 24) SC]
R2 – 43 (64, 85, 99): Chain 1, turn. SC into the 1st SC, and each SC across. Switch to CB. [13 (19, 21, 24) SC]
R44 – 86 (65 – 128, 86 – 170, 100 – 198): In CB, chain 1, and turn. SC into the 1st SC, and each SC across. Switch to CC. [13 (19, 21, 24) SC]
R87 – 129 (129 – 192, 171 – 255, 199 – 298): In CC, chain 1, and turn. SC into the 1st SC, and each SC across. [13 (19, 21, 24) SC]
Border – Work in a solid color, or change yarn colors to match the color blocks:
Chain 1, turn. SC into the first stitch, and each stitch across, (SC, chain 2, SC) into the last stitch to form a corner, evenly SC (that’s 1 stitch per row) down the side of the scarf to the last stitch, (SC, chain 2, SC) into the last stitch to form a corner, SC across the opposite side of the foundation chain over to the last stitch, (SC, chain 2, SC) into the last stitch to form a corner, evenly SC (that’s 1 stitch per row) up the side of the scarf to the first stitch. SC into the same stitch as the first, then slip stitch join to the 1st SC.
Fasten off, and weave in ends.
Feel free to use this information to make and sell your own items. When sharing, designer credit is appreciated, but not required. All Cre8tion Crochet Patterns, Photos and PDF’s are protected under copyright. They are not to be copied, distributed or sold – doing so is copyright infringement and stealing! DO NOT copy and paste my pattern anywhere, and DO NOT share the written pattern with others, share the link to the pattern instead so others can find it themselves.
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