Beginner Double Crochet Scarf (or Wrap) Crochet Pattern

This beginner double crochet scarf pattern uses straight, rhythmic back-and-forth rows of standard double crochet (dc) to create a soft, reversible winter scarf—or, by simply adding chains to your starting row, a wide, cozy shoulder wrap. Because it is worked widthwise in short 22-stitch rows (Ch 24 → 22 dc across), you never have to wrestle with a 200-stitch foundation chain, and you can customize the length as you go. Below you'll find the complete step-by-step pattern, a 5-size Scarf-to-Wrap chart, color-blocking ideas, and how to finish the ends with knotted fringe.

This pattern is written in US crochet terms (where US double crochet dc is called treble crochet tr in UK terms).

Pattern At a Glance & Skill Notes

Why Widthwise Short Rows Are Best for Beginners

When making your first scarf, you can crochet either widthwise (short rows across the 6.5-inch width) or lengthwise (long rows along the 66-inch length):

• Why We Use Widthwise Construction (Ch 24 → 22 dc): Counting to 22 stitches takes seconds, each row finishes in under two minutes, and if you run low on yarn you simply stop when the scarf reaches a comfortable length.
• Why Lengthwise Chains Frustrate Beginners: Chaining 180 to 220 stitches for a lengthwise scarf almost always results in a tight, curling foundation edge that bows the entire scarf into a crescent.

Materials and Gauge

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted-Weight (#4 Medium) Yarn (such as a soft 80% acrylic / 20% wool blend, 100% merino wool, or brushed acrylic-alpaca).
  • Classic Adult Scarf (6.5" × 66"): Approx. 320–360 yds (293–329 m / 2 standard 100 g skeins), plus ~30 yds if adding knotted fringe (estimate).
  • Cozy Shawl Wrap (18" × 72"): Approx. 950–1,050 yds (869–960 m / 5 standard 100 g skeins) (estimate). To check yardage for a custom width, length, or yarn weight, use our yarn yardage calculator.
• Crochet Hook: 5.5 mm (US I-9) crochet hook. (Going up 0.5 mm from a standard 5.0 mm hook relaxes the double crochet posts so the scarf drapes softly around your neck instead of feeling stiff.)
• Notions: 2 locking stitch markers (for marking the 1st and last stitch of each row), blunt tapestry needle, tape measure, and a 6-inch (15 cm) piece of sturdy cardboard or book (optional, for cutting fringe).

Gauge

• Target Gauge: 13 dc × 7 rows = 4" × 4" (10 cm × 10 cm) in double crochet using a 5.5 mm (I-9) hook (estimate).

Scarf & Wrap Sizing Chart (5 Sizes)

Because solid double crochet uses any chain count (Desired dc count + 2 extra chains for the Row 1 turning height), you can make any size from a child's neck warmer to a full evening wrap:

Stitches and Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch — chain
• dc — double crochet (UK: treble crochet tr)
• rep — repeat
• sc — single crochet (UK: double crochet dc)
• st(s) — stitch(es)
• yo — yarn over

Pattern Notes (Keeping Scarf Edges Straight)

1. Ch 3 Counts as the First dc of Every Row:
   • On Row 1, you work your first dc into the 4th chain from your hook. The 3 skipped chains count as Stitch #1, and the dc in the 4th chain is Stitch #2 (1 + 1 + 20 remaining chains = 22 dc).
   • On Row 2 and all following rows, chain 3 and turn (or chain 2 if your chains are loose). Because that turning chain counts as Stitch #1, skip the very first stitch at the base of the chain and work your first full dc into the 2nd stitch.
2. Use Two Stitch Markers so Your Scarf Never Narrows:
   • Each time you chain 3 to turn, clip a stitch marker into the 3rd (top) chain of that turning chain. When you return to that edge at the end of the next row, work your 22nd dc right into the marked chain! For more edge techniques (including chainless standing stitches), see our guide on how to get straight edges.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Option 1: Classic Adult Scarf (6.5" × 66" — Ch 24 → 22 dc × 116 Rows)

Foundation Chain: With worsted-weight (#4) yarn and a 5.5 mm (I-9) hook, make a slip knot and ch 24 loosely.

• Row 1: Work 1 dc into the 4th ch from hook (the 3 skipped chains count as your 1st dc; clip a stitch marker into the top of the 3rd skipped chain). Work 1 dc into each of the remaining 20 chains across. Turn. — 22 dc (Math check: 3 skipped chs = 1st dc + 4th ch = 2nd dc + 20 remaining chs = 22 dc total).
• Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc; clip your second stitch marker into the 3rd chain). Skip the first stitch at the base of the ch 3. Work 1 dc under both top loops of the 2nd stitch and in each stitch across, working the 22nd (final) dc into the marked top chain of the previous row's turning chain. Turn. — 22 dc
• Rows 3–116: Repeat Row 2 one hundred fourteen more times until your scarf measures approximately 66 inches (168 cm) long (or reaches from finger-to-finger with your arms outstretched).
• Fasten Off: Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch (15 cm) tail, pull through the last loop, and weave in all ends securely with a tapestry needle.

Option 2: Make It a Cozy Wrap (18" × 72" — Ch 62 → 60 dc × 126 Rows)

To turn this pattern into the wide, blanket-style wrap shown on the left of the featured photo:

1. Ch 62 loosely with a 5.5 mm (I-9) or 6.0 mm (J-10) hook.
2. Row 1: Work 1 dc in the 4th ch from hook and in each remaining ch across. Turn. — 60 dc
3. Rows 2–126: Ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), skip first st, work 1 dc in 2nd st and in each st across to the top of the turning chain (60 dc). Repeat until the wrap measures 72 inches (183 cm) long, then fasten off and weave in ends.

Finishing: Adding Knotted Fringe, Color Blocks, or a Border

1. How to Add Knotted Lark's-Head Fringe (Optional)

For a classic ~5.5-inch (14 cm) fringe along both short ends of the 22-stitch Adult Scarf (using 11 fringe bundles per end = 22 bundles total):

1. Cut the Strands: Wrap your yarn around a 6-inch (15 cm) piece of cardboard (or hardcover book) 88 times and cut along one edge to produce 88 strands measuring 12 inches (30.5 cm) each (~29.5 yards of yarn total). If you want thicker tassels or a different length, calculate your exact strand count and yardage with our fringe calculator.
2. Group & Fold: Gather 4 strands together and fold them in half to form a loop at the center (8 plies hanging down).
3. Tie the Lark's-Head Knot: With the Right Side (RS) of the scarf facing up, insert your crochet hook from back to front through the corner stitch at the bottom edge. Hook the folded loop and pull it halfway through to the back.
4. Lock the Knot: Reach through the loop with your fingers (or hook), grab all 8 hanging tails, and pull them snugly through the loop.
5. Space Evenly: Repeat across every 2nd stitch (11 bundles across 22 stitches) on both ends of the scarf, then lay the scarf flat and trim the fringe ends straight with sharp scissors.

2. Three Modern Color-Block & Stripe Layouts

• Half-and-Half Color Block: Work Rows 1–58 in Camel (1 skein) and Rows 59–116 in Natural Cream (1 skein) for a high-contrast modern scarf with zero extra yarn tails.
• Wide Rugby Stripes: Alternate 10 rows (~5.7") of Color A and 10 rows of Color B up the length of the scarf.
• Self-Striping Cake Yarn: Use 1 large cake of self-striping worsted yarn (~380–400 yds) so the colors transition automatically without weaving in stripe ends.

Troubleshooting Common Beginner Scarf Mistakes

Frequently Asked Questions

About the Author

Claire Vance is a crochet pattern designer, technical editor, and fiber educator at DoubleCrochet.io. She designs approachable wearable patterns and teaches stitch geometry using Craft Yarn Council standards.