Arctic Scarf + Cowl, FREE Beginner Crochet Patterns

2 scarves, 1 pattern. Even with limited crochet skills, you can make something beautiful and functional. Try out the Arctic Scarf + Cowl, both FREE patterns designed in collaboration with JOANN.

When I first learned to crochet, I could only do a few stitches, like the chain and the single crochet. Who knew you could make something lovely with just a couple of skills?! Equally stylish and practical, the Arctic Scarf and Arctic Cowl are a great introduction to crochet. Once you get all the supplies you need from your local JOANN store, you’ll be done with your first project in no time.

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The Perfect Pattern for Beginners

Even though I’ve been crocheting for nearly 20 years, some of my favorite patterns use the simplest stitches. The Arctic Scarf & Cowl patterns use the chain stitch and single crochet, two of the first crochet stitches most beginners learn. With just these two skills, you can make two completely different accessories.

There are so many yarns available that are great to use, even when you’re just starting out as a crocheter. I picked this lovely Buttercream Roving from my local JOANN store. It’s a bulky weight, single ply, lightly spun roving yarn.

When picking colors for my projects, I made sure each set was slightly contrasted. The light and dark greys play nicely off one another, while the bright mustard pops next to classic cream. There are 12 total colors in the Buttercream Roving collection – shop them all and pick your favorites from JOANN.com!

Same Project, Two Ways

The basis for the Arctic Scarf & Cowl is a rectangle worked widthwise. When you finish the rectangle, you can keep it long and add fringe to the short ends to make the Arctic Scarf. Or you can seam the short ends together to make an infinity scarf, then add fringe along the bottom edge. Both scarves are cozy with a soft, modern look.

Learn the Linen Stitch

Also called the “moss” or “granite” stitch, the crochet linen stitch is one of the most beautiful and easily recognizable stitches. It’s also one of the most basic stitches, using only chains and single crochet stitches.

The body of the Arctic Scarf & Cowl pattern is made using the linen stitch, which is very easy to memorize. The stitches work up quickly and are very therapeutic to make. Here’s the basic pattern:

• Start with a chain of any odd number.
• Single crochet in the third chain from your hook.
• (Chain 1, skip the next chain, single crochet in the following chain) – repeat this set of steps across the entire chain. Then turn your work and chain 2.
• (Single crochet in the next chain-1 space, chain 1) – repeat this set of steps until you get to the end of your row, and place a single crochet in the chain-2 space. Turn your work and chain 2.
• Repeat the last bullet for the length of your project.

How to Make Perfect Fringe

To finish your Arctic Scarf & Cowl project, you’ll want to add some fringe. Fringe is a playful way to add texture and a pop of color to your project. Here are a few tips to make adding fringe easy:

• Pull yarn from the OUTSIDE of the yarn ball instead of from the inside. The yarn on the inside (bottom) is much more wrinkled, while the yarn on the outside (top) is smoother.
• To make lots of fringe, wrap yarn around your hand or a book multiple times (but not too tightly!), then use scissors to cut the strands all at once. You’ll end up with several strands that are the same length instead of having to cut them one-by-one.
• Thread fringe through your project using your crochet hook instead of just with a tapestry needle. The yarn will glide easier and you can work faster.

• When you’re ready to trim your fringe, line up your project on a self-healing mat using the printed gridlines. Use a ruler to create a straight edge, then (carefully!) use a rotary cutter to make perfectly trimmed fringe!

Are you ready to make your Arctic Scarf & Cowl?! Find the FREE crochet pattern below!

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Arctic Scarf & Cowl

DESCRIPTION: The Arctic Scarf & Cowl are two separate patterns made from the same base. To make the base, start with a crochet chain, then do several rows of the linen stitch pattern. You now have a wide and short rectangle. From here, you can add fringe to the short sides to make the Arctic Scarf, or join the short sides and add fringe to the bottom edge to make the Arctic Cowl.

MATERIALS:

–Buttercream Luxe Craft Roving yarn in 2 colors (3 balls for the base of your scarf, and 1 ball for the fringe)

-8mm crochet hook (like this one!)

-Scissors

-Tapestry needle

-Optional: Self-healing mat, rotary cutter, sturdy ruler

FINISHED SIZE:

60″ wide x 8.5″ tall

GAUGE:

4″ = 12 rows x 12 stitches in (sc, ch 1) pattern

ABBREVIATIONS:

• Ch = chain
• Sc = single crochet
• Sk = skip
• Sp = space

Scarf & Cowl

ROW 1: Ch 181, sc in 3rd ch from hook, *ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc in next ch; repeat from * across row, turn.

ROW 2: Ch 2, *sc in the next ch-1 sp, ch 1; repeat from * across row, placing last sc in ch-2 sp, turn.

Repeat Row 2 until you have 26 rows total. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

FINISHING OPTION 1 (SCARF): Cut 52 8″ lengths of yarn for fringe. Holding two strands together, make 14 groups of fringe on each short side of the scarf. Use your preferred method to even out the fringe.

FINISHING OPTION 2 (COWL): Seam the short ends of the scarf together to make a tube scarf. Cute 90 8″ lengths of yarn for fringe. Holding two strands together, make 45 groups of fringe on the bottom edge of the scarf. Fringe should be placed into every other chain-1 space. Use your preferred method to even out the fringe.

I really hope you enjoy making the Arctic Scarf & Cowl, and I hope these patterns encourage you to try even more crochet projects! Find additional FREE patterns I’ve made in collaboration with JOANN on our shared Pinterest board. Then share your scarves with me on Instagram using the hashtag #TLYCMakers.