This rainbow crochet scarf is perfect for any child (or adult!) who loves color! This free crochet scarf pattern is super easy – it only uses one stitch the so it is an absolutely perfect crochet pattern for beginners.
I made this colorful crochet scarf for my little girl who loves pretty much anything rainbow-related! But the stripe sequence is completely customizable so you can crochet a scarf to suit any age or taste.
Color Palette for your Crochet Scarf
The changing blocks of color help keep your interest even though the pattern itself consists of only one row repeat. I don’t know about you, but I really find that changing colors regularly gives me small little milestones to aim for, and before I know it I am finished!
For this project I used Stylecraft Yarns Special DK which is available in over 80 shades so you can really get creative with your stripe sequence on this scarf!
A perfect crochet couch project
This crochet scarf is a perfect couch project to work on with the TV (or a good crochet podcast!) on in the background. Once you keep an eye on your row counts you can just crochet away mindlessly until it’s time to change color. And sometimes a bit of mindless crochet is just what we need 🙂
Since I used a DK weight yarn, the scarf does take a little longer than with a thicker yarn. (If you’re looking for a crochet scarf that you can make in a single evening, you might want to check out my Chunky Color Block Scarf pattern.)
How to get this pattern:
Option 1: Scroll on down to get this pattern for free!
Option 2: Purchase the easy-to-read, print-friendly PDF:
Notes
Please read through the entire pattern before beginning.
- The scarf is crocheted in the round to create a long tube.
- Instructions are given for the Child Size, with the Adult Size given in ().
- The stitch count for each round is given in [] at the end of the round. If no stitch count is given then the count is the same as for the previous round.
- At the end of each round do not join to the previous round, continue working in a spiral.
- Use a stitch marker to keep track of the first stitch of each round.
- When changing colors, change to the new color on the last yarn over at the end of the round. Cut the yarn for the previous color.
Finished Measurements
Child: Length: 46-48”, Width: 4
Adult: Length: 64-66”, Width: 5″
Gauge
20 stitches x 17 rows = 4” x 4” measured over sc (blo)
Materials
Hook: 4mm (G/6)
Yarn: Any DK/#3/Light weight yarn
The amounts and colors given here are for Stylecraft Yarns Special DK (295m/323yds per 100g skein; DK/#3/Light; 100% Acrylic)
Child: 310 yds/280m (100g) – 62 yds/56m (20g) of each color
Adult: 510 yds/466m (165g) – 102 yds/93m (33g) of each color
Colorways in Stylecraft Yarns Special DK
COLOR 1: Wisteria (Purple)
COLOR 2: Sherbet (Blue)
COLOR 3: Spring Green
COLOR 5: Apricot (Orange)
COLOR 4: Lemon (Yellow)
Misc:
Yarn Needle
Stitch Markers
2 Pom Poms
Adjusting the Pattern
Width
To make the scarf wider, adjust your starting chain by any number. Every 4 or 5 extra stitches will add about half an inch to the finished width. (Remember that the scarf is crocheted as a tube so your starting chain will be folded in half).
Length
To make the scarf longer or shorter simply crochet more or less rounds as required. If adjusting the number of rounds remember to factor in this into your stripe sequence.
Stripe Sequence
To achieve a color block effect, this pattern has you changing colors every 20 rounds for the Child size and every 18 rounds for the Adult Size.
However, once you know your target number of rounds (see Finished Measurements above) you can do any stripe sequence that you wish.
Written Pattern
Abbreviations (US Terms)
ch = chain
st = stitch
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet
blo = back loop only
pm = place marker
Both Sizes: Child (Adult)
With C1, make a slip knot and leave a long tail.
Ch 44 (54). Being careful not to twist the chain, join to the starting ch with a sl st to form a loop.
ROUND 1: Ch 1 (does not count as a st, here and throughout), sc (blo) in same ch as sl st (pm in sc just made to mark start of round), sc (blo) in each ch around, do not join. [44 (54)]
Note: on each round, remember to move the stitch marker up to mark the first stitch.
ROUND 2: Sc (blo) in first st and in each st around, do not join. [44 (54)]
ROUNDS 3 – 20 (18): Repeat Round 2
On the last st of Round 20 (18), change to C2.
ROUNDS 21 – 200 (270): Repeat Round 2 until desired scarf length is reached.
Child size: changing color every 20 rounds will give you 10 color blocks i.e. 2 blocks of each of your 5 colors
Adult size: changing color every 18 rounds will give you 15 color blocks i.e. 3 blocks of each of your 5 colors
Feel free to adjust the stripe sequence any way you like!
Fasten off and leave a long tail.
Finishing
At both ends of the scarf, weave the tail in and out between the stitches of the first/last rounds. I weaved in and out approx. every 4 stitches.
Pull tail to close up the gap and add a couple of whip stitches to secure each end.
Sew on a pom pom at each end.
All done!
If you wish, you can purchase an inexpensive, ad-free PDF version of this pattern through Ravelry, Etsy or LoveCrafts.
I hope you have enjoyed this pattern, if you have questions at all, please don't hesitate to contact me. And be sure to tag your finished project on Instagram or Facebook using @nedandmimi or #nedandmimi!
Happy crocheting!
Sarah
