Crochet Scarf or Cowl – Starry Skies

Lacy diamonds sparkle in this crochet scarf or cowl. The lightweight, open design makes it a perfect transitional piece for spring or fall. With three lengths to choose from, you can wear it as a cowl, scarf, or infinity scarf. Complete the set with the matching Starry Skies Boot Cuffs! 

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Recently Updated

This is such a fun crochet scarf pattern that I can’t stop remaking it! I originally published it as a premium (paid only) pattern in 2014. In 2016, I posted it for free on the blog. Now in 2022, I’m re-making it again to give it a fresh new look and update it to my current pattern format.

Yarn choices

The yarn you choose can completely change the feel of a project. I’ve made this crochet scarf in 3 very different yarns now, and each one gives it a completely different feel!

Sleek and shiny

For my first version, I used Caron Simply Soft Party yarn in black sparkle. The sparkles in the yarn are what gave the scarf its name. Between the solid black color and the silvery sparkles, it had a very “dressed up” feel to it.

Cozy and casual

I crocheted just the cowl version again, along with a set of matching boot cuffs. This time, I used Classic Shades from Universal Yarn, which is unfortunately discontinued. It was a self-striping, wool blend, single ply yarn. Singles have a fuzzier look, and the wool content made it warmer and cozier. The self-striping colorway worked up into blocks of color. Overall it made a more wintery and casual effect.

Get the Starry Skies Boot Cuffs pattern for a matching set!

Rustic and Relaxed

For this final version, I used some yarn that I spun myself. I called the yarn “Clouded Glory” and you can read all the details in my Ravelry handspun entry.

This yarn is all wool, with some thin spots, and some lumps. The unevenness gives the crochet scarf an overall rustic feel. You could get the same effect with a homespun type of yarn, or any yarn with some bumps and texture to it.

Joining Options

To make the cowl or infinity scarf, you will need to fold your fabric in half and join the starting and ending edges together. I’ve included 2 options for this join. You can crochet the edges together as you work the last row. Or, you can work the last row and then sew the two edges together at the end. Either option will work, so choose whichever one you like best!

Starry Skies

Add this to your Ravelry Queue

Materials:

• Yarn: 130 [275, 320] yds worsted weight yarn (see Sizes below)
• Hook: Size J /10 6 mm hook or size needed to obtain gauge
• Notions: Yarn needle

Project Level:

Intermediate – Cluster stitches, working in bottoms of stitches and ends of rows.

Sizes:

Cowl [Infinity Scarf, Scarf]

• Cowl: 8” x 12” (24″ folded in half)
• Infinity scarf: 8” x 25” (50″ folded in half)
• Scarf: 8” x 60”

Gauge:

Use pattern as gauge swatch. After row 8, work should measure 8″ x 4″. Exact gauge is not critical.

Abbreviations used:

ch = chain
cl = cluster (see Special Stitches)
dc = double crochet
ecl = ending cluster (see Special Stitches)
RS = right side
sc = single crochet
sk = skip
sl st = slip stitch
sp = space
st(s) = stitch(es)
WS = wrong side
yo = yarn over

Recommended Resources

• Double Crochet Cluster – Lunchtime Live Ep47
• Starry Skies Scarf Crochet Tutorial

Special Stitches:

Cluster (cl) – Worked over 3 ch-1 sps:

(Yo, insert hook in next ch-1 sp, yo and draw up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops on hook, sk next st), 3 times, yo and pull through all 4 loops on hook.

Ending Cluster (ecl) – Worked at end of row, over last ch-1 sp and last 2 sts:

Yo, insert hook in next ch 1 sp, yo and draw up a loop, yo and pull through 2 loops on hook, sk next st, yo, insert hook in last st, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops on hook, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

Instructions:

Main Section

(Scroll down for chart)

Ch 38 (foundation chain)

Row 1: (RS) Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch, (ch 1, sk next ch, sc in next ch) across to last ch, sc in last ch. (20 sc, 17 ch-1 sps)

Row 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a st), turn, sk first 2 sts, dc in next ch-1 sp, (ch 5, sk next st, cl) 5 times, ch 5, ecl. (5 clusters, 1 ecl, 1 dc, 5 ch-5 sps)

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, (ch 5, sc in top of next cl) 5 times, ch 5, sc in last dc. (7 sc, 6 ch-5 sps)

Row 4: Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), turn, dc in same st, ch 1, [sk next ch 5 sp, (dc, ch 1) 3 times in next sc] 5 times, sk last ch 5 sp, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last sc. (19 dc, 18 ch-1 sps)

Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc in first st, sc in first ch 1 sp, (ch 1, sk next st, sc in next ch 1 sp) across to last st, sc in last st. (20 sc, 17 ch-1 sps)

Repeat rows 2-5 of stitch pattern 10 [23, 27] more times, then repeat rows 2-3 once more.

Joining – Cowl & Infinity Scarf only

Option 1 – Crochet join

(Scroll down for chart)

In this method, we are going to join by working row 4 of the pattern, but replacing each ch 1 with a slip stitch into the bottom of the sc stitches on row 1. You won’t need to work into any of the skipped foundation chs.

Fold piece in half lengthwise, with right sides together, so that the current row lines up with the bottom of row 1.

Joining Row (WS): Ch 2, sl st in bottom of each of first 2 sts on row 1, dc in same sc on current row, *sl st in bottom of next sc on row 1, sk next ch 5 sp on current row, dc in next sc on current row, (sl st in bottom of next sc on row 1, dc in same st on current row) twice. Repeat from * 4 times more, sl st in bottom of next sc on row 1, dc in last sc on current row, sl st in bottom of next sc on row 1, dc in same st on current row, sl st in bottom of last sc on row 1.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Option 2 – Sewn Join:

Repeat row 4. Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Fold piece in half lengthwise, with right sides together, so that the current row lines up with the bottom of row 1. Sew these two edges together.

Weave in all ends.

Edging – Scarf only

Ending edge

Repeat row 4. Fasten off.

Starting edge

(Scroll down for chart)

Working along bottom of row 1 of main section, treat skipped chs as ch 1 sps.

Row 1: With right side facing, join yarn with sl st in first st, ch 2 (does not count as a st), sk first 2 sts, dc in next ch 1 sp, sk next st, (ch 5, cl) 5 times, ch 5, ecl. (5 clusters, 1 ecl, 1 dc, 5 ch-5 sps)

Rows 2-3: Repeat rows 3 & 4 of main section.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

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