Free Pattern – Darkness
Sometimes you just want to wrap yourself up in darkness. Unfortunately, black or dark colored yarns can be difficult to work with, because it’s hard to see the stitches. The softer and fuzzier the black yarn is, the harder it is to see. Well now you can get your softest, snuggliest, blackest yarns out, because this hooded scarf pattern was designed just for them!
Why does this pattern work well for black yarn? First, the construction is different from most hooded scarves. With this design, there’s no need to work into the edge of the scarf to create the hood. Second, except for the foundation row and the edge stitches, you’ll always be working into chain spaces. This makes it much easier to find where to put your hook. Even with all the chain spaces, it’s not an open and lacy design. The stitch pattern creates a soft, squishy fabric with an interesting texture, and the spaces are hardly visible once finished. It would of course work up easily in other colors too.
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Darkness
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Materials:
- 720 yds worsted weight, black yarn (see Size for more info)
- Size J / 10 (6 mm) hook or size needed to obtain gauge
- Yarn or Tapestry needle
- 2 Locking stitch markers
- Small scrap of white or light colored yarn or thread
- Optional – 4-5 yds of light colored scrap yarn or dental floss to use as a running stitch marker.
Difficulty:
Easy – almost all single crochet and chains, and almost all worked into chain spaces instead of stitches.
Sizes:
Adult – one size fits most. Hood is approximately 12 inches tall (top to bottom) and 9 inches deep (front to back). Scarf can be made to any length desired. Yardage listed made a scarf of 157 rows on each side (including the hood), for a total length of about 86 inches.
Gauge:
13 sc x 14 rows = 4 inches. You can use the first few rows as a swatch – after row 14, work should measure approximately 20.5 x 4 inches.
Abbreviations used:
- ch = chain
- sc = single crochet
- hdc = half double crochet
- sl st = slip stitch
- st(s) = stitch(es)
- sp(s) = space(s)
Recommended Resources:
- Tutorial – Continuous rounds and running stitch markers
- How to Read a Crochet Chart – Part 1, by Yarn Obsession
Notes:
- To avoid having to work into the sides of rows, which can be hard to see on black yarn, this scarf has a unique construction. It starts in the middle, at the back of the hood. First you work in one direction all the way to the end of the scarf, then come back to the middle again and work in the other direction.
- Weaving a scrap piece of yarn back and forth as a running stitch marker can be helpful for counting the rows. See the tutorial here: Tutorial – Continuous rounds and running stitch markers
- The pattern is provided in both written and charted formats. These are the same pattern, you only need to work one or the other.
- Until you actually sew the hood together, there is no right or wrong side.
Instructions:
First Half:
Note: Be sure to count your rows, so you can make the other side of the scarf the same length. Weaving a scrap piece of yarn back and forth as a running stitch marker can be helpful for counting the rows. See the tutorial here: Tutorial – Continuous rounds and running stitch markers
Hood:
Ch 70 loosely.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in 2nd ch from hook, (ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next 2 chs) across to last 2 chains, ch 1, sk next ch, sc in last ch. Place marker in the last ch you worked into, for later joining. (46 sts, 23 sps).
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, sc in next sp, (ch 1, sk next 2 sts, 2 sc in next sp) across to last st, ch 1, hdc in last st. (47 sts, 23 sps)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, ch 1, 2 sc in next sp, (ch 1, sk next 2 sts, 2 sc in next sp) across to last 2 sts, ch 1, sk next st, sc in last st. (48 sts, 24 sps)
Row 4: Repeat row 2 (49 sts, 24 sps)
Row 5: Repeat Row 3 (50 sts, 25 sps)
Row 6: Repeat row 2 (51 sts, 25 sps)
Row 7: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, sc in next sp, (ch 1, sk next 2 sts, 2 sc in next sp) across to last 2 sts, ch 1, sk next st, sc in last st (51 sts, 25 sps)
Rows 8-31: Repeat Row 7.
Row 32: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, sc in next sp, (ch 1, sk next 2 sts, 2 sc in next sp) 10 times, place marker in last sp made, (ch 1, sk next 2 sts, 2 sc in next sp) across to last 2 sts, ch 1, sk next st, sc in last st (51 sts, 25 sps).
Fasten off.
Work should now measure about 20″ x 9″
Scarf:
Join yarn with sl st in marked sp from Row 32, remove this marker.
Row 33: Ch 1, 2 sc in same sp, (ch 1, sk next 2 sts, 2 sc in next sp) 9 times, ch 1, sk next st, sc in last st. (21 sts, 10 sps)
Row 34: Repeat row 7 of hood. (21 sts, 10 sps).
Repeat row 34 until desired length is achieved. Fasten off. Make a note of how many rows you worked.
Second Half:
Hood:
Turn work upside down so you are working into the foundation chain / bottom of row 1. Join yarn with sl st in marked chain. This should be the first chain of the foundation, at the bottom of the hood. If you haven’t woven your tails in yet, this should also be where your starting tail is.
Note: The skipped chains from the foundation chain form chain spaces. These are the spaces you will be working into on row 1.
Row 1 (RS): Sc in first st, sc in next sp, (ch 1, sk next 2 sts, 2 sc in next sp) 22 times, ch 1, hdc in last st. (47 sts, 23 sps)
Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, ch 1, 2 sc in next sp, (ch 1, sk next 2 sts, 2 sc in next sp) across to last 2 sts, ch 1, sk next st, sc in last st. (48 sts, 24 sps)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, sc in next sp, (ch 1, sk next 2 sts, 2sc in next sp) across to last st, ch 1, hdc in last st. (49 sts, 24 sps)
Row 4: Repeat row 2 (50 sts, 25 sps)
Row 5: Repeat Row 3 (51 sts, 25 sps)
Row 6: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, sc in next sp, (ch 1, sk next 2 sts, 2 sc in next sp) across to last 2 sts, ch 1, sk next st, sc in last st (51 sts, 25 sps)
Rows 7-32: Repeat Row 6. Do not fasten off.
Scarf:
Row 33: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, sc in next spc, (ch 1, sk next 2 sts, 2 sc in next sp) 9 times, ch 1, sk next st, sc in last st. (21 sts, 10 sps)
Row 34: Repeat row 6 of hood. (21 sts, 10 sps).
Repeat row 34 for the same number of rows as you worked on the first half.
Fasten off.
Chart:
(Back to Written Instructions)
Finishing:
(for both written and charted versions)
- Fold in half along foundation chain, and sew the top of the hood together.
- Weave in all ends.
- Take the scrap of light colored yarn and weave it into the seam on the inside of the hood, so you can’t see it from the outside. Why? Because in every darkness, there is a little light if you only know where to look.
I hope you enjoy the pattern. Big thanks to wilmaelee for tech editing it!
A downloadable pdf of this pattern is also available in my Craftsy store or on Ravelry, for a fee. The fee for the pdf format is to offset the advertising revenue lost when you print or download the pattern rather than viewing it online.
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34 Comments
Kathryn
Wow! What a cool pattern, thanks for sharing it! I like dark yarns, but sometimes they are difficult to see and work with. I’m going to have to try this one out.
Pia Thadani
Thanks! let me know how it goes 🙂
Amanda Sullivan
I just wanted to say thank you, I really enjoy your site. You are brave and your work is wonderful. I really like this pattern and I believe It’s my next thing to do. Amanda
Pia Thadani
awww thank you! 🙂 I can’t wait to see how yours turns out!
Lynell
What brand of yarn did you use. I was just wondering
Pia Thadani
Universal Uptown worsted 🙂
Dolly
Put a white pillow case on your lap helps to see the stitches better.
Pia Thadani
Normally, yes – but totally not necessary with this pattern 🙂
Joya
Okay question….
when joining for the first scarf section, am I joining into the marked space from the RS or WS? (Fastened off tail on the top left or right?) I think I finally made sense of it
Pia Thadani
Right side – because row 1 of the 2nd half is a right side row. The marker should be on your right, like in the picture. You can’t do it the other way or the marker will be on the left and you’ll be joining at the end of the row 🙂
Joya
Got it, thank you! And thank you for being patient! Blessings ♡
Pia Thadani
Yay 🙂 can’t wait to see how it turns out for you 🙂
Kathy Mueller
I’m sorry I am so fuzzy headed this morning but how many skeins of the Universal yarn did you use?
Thanks this is a beautiful scarf and just what I’m looking for!
Pia Thadani
4 skeins – and I’m glad you like it! Can’t wait to see how yours comes out 🙂
Kathy Mueller
Thank you Pia for your kindness and generous sharing,
Blessings, Kathy
Laura
I don’t understand how to make the increases in the hood. Following the written instructions but my rows are all coming out the same # of stitches. What am I doing wrong?
Pia Thadani
unfortunately without seeing it, I can’t tell you where you’re missing a stitch 🙁 Did you take a look at the chart? that might help you visualize it. The increase works because when you make that chain space at that edge, you are only skipping 1 stitch, but when you work back into it on the next row, you’re working 2 stitches into the space.
I would suggest try again, paying particular attention to how many stitches you are working into the space on the increase edge (for the first half, that’s the first space on right side rows, last space on wrong side rows)
Laura
Thanks so much! I will frog it and try again!
Pia Thadani
ok, let me know if you get stuck again! If you do, and you want to send me pictures, you can message me on my facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/StitchesnScraps/
VeeVee
Do you have a video of this pattern? I do better watching than reading.
Pia Thadani
No sorry, I don’t generally do videos for patterns, only for techniques or stitches.
VeeVee
I marked the space on row 32 after the 10th time and started row 33 but there’s 5 sets of stitches on one side and nine sets on the other. Is it supposed to be even with one side? Is there a way to send you a picture?
Pia Thadani
If you ever want to send a picture, feel free to reach out to me on the StitchesnScraps Facebook page or Scrappy Stitchers Facebook group. But no need here, I think I know what you mean. Yes they are different sizes. The tall side is the hood, the short side is the scarf. If you scroll down a bit you’ll see a picture of the scarf laying flat and you can see the difference. Hope that helps!
Pia Thadani
Amanda Rivett asked:
HI Pia!
I am having a hard time finishing the pattern Darkness. I don’t understand where to sew the hood together. Can you help please? Thank you!
Pia Thadani
Amanda: lay the piece flat, then fold it in half along the foundation chain (the starting chain). When it’s folded, the edges of the scarf and hood sections should line up. The seam you will be sewing is along the top of the hood. You’ll be seaming the edges of rows 1-8 (in each direction) together.
I’ve added a photo to help 🙂
Cara
I have not crocheted anything in over 25 years, since my Gma taught me how to make granny squares. I made crocheted barefoot sandals for my daughter-in-law a few weeks ago and now I don’t want to stop! Thank you for this great pattern. Its so easy to follow and quick so far. I just fastened off the first part and although it’s 32 rows, it measure 20” x 7.5” I’m worried the hood won’t be big enough.. any thoughts?
Pia Thadani
it sounds like, while you’ve achieved the correct stitch gauge (stitches per inch), your row gauge (rows per inch) is off. It’s also possible that the yarn you’re using is more elastic, so it scrunches up more. My recommendation would be to first wash the swatch you’ve made, and lay it flat to dry, stretched out to shape. You may find it grows considerably when you wash it. If it’s still less than 9 inches, then I would simply add a few more rows (repeat row 7 a few more times). Be sure to add an even number of rows though, so you end up on the correct side of your work.
Also write down what you did, so you can make the same adjustment to the other half when you get there 🙂
Beth McC -- Midwest Redhead
Black yarn tends to scare me, as my vision is poor to begin with. However, THIS pattern is very appealing. I inherited a heavy winter coat, but am dismayed that it has no hood, much needed in my area. I have been trying to find a hooded scarf that is interesting to make and looks nice. Your pattern seems to fit my needs. Thank you!! I love the idea of keeping the white running chain as the light in the darkness, much needed in 2020.
Pia Thadani
I’m so glad you like it! I didn’t actually keep the running marker, I just sewed a little scrap of white into the underside of the hood. But keeping the running marker sounds like an interesting work too!
Lori
How long do you crochet the scarf part of this pattern? Typically, what’s a good length? Thank you.
Pia Thadani
Totally up to you. They say a scarf should be at least as long as you are tall, so for an average adult I’d go 6 feet / 72 inches or so (36 on each side). But I like mine a bit longer so I think I did 40 on each side. It’s easy to add more rows later if you try it on and want it longer 🙂
Lori
Thank you so much!
Gabby
I’m currently making this using two strands of yarn: dusty pink and off-white. It will be a gift for a friend who wears headscarves for religious purposes. It’s a shame that I can’t post photos here to show you when I finish but I just wanted to thank you for this awesome pattern! I will probably make matching ones for her daughters as well!
Pia Thadani
Sounds fabulous, and I’d love to see the pictures! If you post them on social media you can tag me, otherwise you could also post them in a Ravelry project and link to the pattern and I’ll see it there 🙂