Looking for a show-stopping scarf project that feels as good to wear as it looks? The Structured Motif Crochet Scarf Pattern combines colorwork and texture in a modern geometric design.
Best of all, it’s completely free! With clean lines and stepped motifs, it’s the perfect handmade gift or winter accessory to elevate your wardrobe.
Contents
Materials Needed
- Worsted weight yarn (main color) – approx. 4 braids (127 yds/116 m each)
- Worsted weight yarn (contrast color set – 5 colors) – 1 braid
- Size US J/10 (6 mm) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge
- Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving ends
Finished Size: Approx. 10″ (25.5 cm) wide × 60″ (152.5 cm) long
Gauge: 12 sc and 14 rows = 4″ (10 cm)
Abbreviations (US Terms)
- Approx = Approximately
- Ch = Chain(s)
- Cont = Continue(ity)
- Rep = Repeat
- RS = Right side
- Sc = Single crochet
- Sc2tog = Draw up a loop in each of next 2 stitches. Yarn over and draw through all loops on hook.
- Sl st = Slip stitch
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
- Tog = Together
- WS = Wrong side
- Yoh = Yarn over hook
Instructions
Notes:
- Before working with multi-shade yarn braid, separate each color link and wind into 5 separate balls.
- Each color link will be referenced by its Pantone # (see label).
- Designate each different shade of 5 separate yarn balls as Contrast A, B, C, D and E as noted in Materials section (or as desired).
- Due to finite amount of yarn in each shade, pattern gauge must be matched to ensure successful results.
- When joining colors, work to last 2 loops on hook of first color. Draw new color through last 2 loops and proceed.
Top and Bottom (make 2 pieces alike)
Note: Stepping Squares are worked in 5 Strips and joined tog before body is worked on the bias.
First Strip
Stripe Pat 1
- With MC, work 8 rows.
- With A, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 1 row.
- With B, work 7 rows.
- These 23 rows form Stripe Pat 1.
With MC, ch 2.
1st row (RS): 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Turn. 1 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc. Turn. 2 sc.
3rd row: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc. 1 sc in next sc. Turn. 3 sc.
4th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. 2 sc in last sc. Turn. 4 sc.
5th row: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn. 5 sc.
6th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
7th row: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn. 6 sc.
8th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Join A. Break MC. Turn.
9th row: With A, ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
10th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
First 10 rows of Stripe Pat 1 are complete.
Keeping cont of Stripe Pat 1 proceed as follows:
11th to 17th rows: Rep 10th row 7 times more.
18th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 4 sc. Sc2tog. Turn. 5 sc.
19th row: Ch 1. Skip first sc. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn. 4 sc.
20th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. Sc2tog. Turn. 3 sc.
21st row: Ch 1. Skip first sc. 1 sc in next sc. Turn. 2 sc.
22nd row: Ch 1. Sc2tog. Turn. 1 sc.
23rd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc. Fasten off.
Second Strip
Stripe Pat 2
- With MC, work 8 rows.
- With A, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 1 row.
- With B, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 1 row.
- With C, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 1 row.
- With D, work 7 rows.
- These 39 rows form Stripe Pat 2.
With MC, ch 2.
1st to 10th rows: Work from ** to ** as given for First Strip.
First 10 rows of Stripe Pat 2 are complete.
Keeping cont of Stripe Pat 2 proceed as follows:
11th to 33rd rows: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn. 6 sc.
34th to 39th rows: Work from *** to *** as given for First Strip.
Third Strip
Stripe Pat 3
- With MC, work 6 rows.
- With A, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 1 row.
- With B, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 1 row.
- With C, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 1 row.
- With D, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 1 row.
- With E, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 8 rows.
- These 53 rows form Stripe Pat 3.
With MC, ch 2.
1st row (RS): 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Turn. 1 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc. Turn. 2 sc.
3rd row: Ch 1. 2 sc in each of next 2 sc. Turn. 4 sc.
4th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
5th row: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. 2 sc in last sc. Turn. 6 sc.
6th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Join A. Break MC. Turn.
7th row: With A, ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
First 7 rows of Stripe Pat 3 are complete.
Keeping cont of Stripe Pat 3 proceed as follows:
8th to 47th rows: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
48th to 53rd rows: Work from *** to *** as given for First Strip.
Fourth Strip
Stripe Pat 4
- With B, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 1 row.
- With C, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 1 row.
- With D, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 1 row.
- With E, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 24 rows.
- These 55 rows form Stripe Pat 4.
With B, ch 2.
1st row (RS): 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Turn. 1 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc. Turn. 2 sc.
3rd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc. 2 sc in last sc. Turn. 3 sc.
4th row: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. Turn. 4 sc.
5th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 3 sc. 2 sc in last sc. Turn. 5 sc.
6th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
7th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 4 sc. 2 sc in last sc. Join MC. Break B. Turn. 6 sc.
8th row: With MC, ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Join C. Break MC. Turn.
9th row: With C, ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
First 9 rows of Stripe Pat 4 are complete.
Keeping cont of Stripe Pat 4 proceed as follows:
10th to 49th rows: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
50th to 55th rows: Work from *** to *** as given for First Strip.
Fifth Strip
Stripe Pat 5
- With D, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 1 row.
- With E, work 7 rows.
- With MC, work 40 rows.
- These 55 rows form Stripe Pat 5.
With D, ch 2.
1st row (RS): 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Turn. 1 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc. Turn. 2 sc.
3rd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in first sc. 2 sc in last sc. Turn. 3 sc.
4th row: Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. Turn. 4 sc.
5th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 3 sc. 2 sc in last sc. Turn. 5 sc.
6th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
7th row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each of next 4 sc. 2 sc in last sc. Join MC. Break D. Turn. 6 sc.
8th row: With MC, ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Join E. Break MC. Turn.
9th row: With E, ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
First 9 rows of Stripe Pat 5 are complete.
Keeping cont of Stripe Pat 5 proceed as follows:
10th to 49th rows: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
50th to 55th rows: Work from *** to *** as given for First Strip.
Joining Strips
Align each Strip WS together with previous Strip, making sure Stepping Squares and edges are aligned (see Assembly Diagram).
With RS facing, join MC with sl st at corner to work along seam. Working through both thicknesses, sc evenly along seam to create ridge detail between each Strip.
Bottom Corner
Join MC with sl st at corner of A square on First Strip to work corner.
1st row: Ch 1. Work 6 sc evenly along edge of A square on First Strip. Turn. 6 sc.
2nd row: Ch 1. Sc2tog. 1 sc in each of next 2 sc. Sc2tog. Turn. 4 sc.
3rd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc to end of row. Turn.
4th row: Ch 1. (Sc2tog) twice. Turn. 2 sc.
5th row: Ch 1. Sc2tog. Fasten off.
Body
With WS facing, join MC with sl st at corner of Fifth Strip to work along unseamed long edge.
1st row (WS): Ch 1. Work 42 sc evenly across edge. Turn.
2nd row (RS): Ch 1. 2 sc in first sc. 1 sc in each sc to last 2 sts. Sc2tog. Turn.
3rd row: Ch 1. Sc2tog. 1 sc in each sc to last sc. 2 sc in last sc. Turn.
Repeat 2nd and 3rd rows until longest edge from corner measures 35″ [89 cm], ending on a WS row. Fasten off.
Finishing
Joining Top and Bottom
With RS of Top and Bottom facing, rotate Top 180 degrees and align bias edges of both pieces (see Joining Diagram). With RS facing, join MC with sl st at corner of Bottom to work along final row. Continue to sl st Top and Bottom together, through back loops only along final rows to create a sl st seam. Sl st seam will create ridge on RS. Fasten off.
Pin to measurements. Cover with a damp cloth.
Edging
With RS facing, join MC with sl st at any corner to work around Scarf.
Ch 1. Work sc evenly around all 4 sides of Scarf, working 3 sc in each corner. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
You Did It!
You now have a beautifully structured motif scarf that’s perfect for cooler days or thoughtful gifting. The repeating pattern adds visual interest and depth, making it shine in any color choice while staying timeless and versatile.
