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Welcome to SCARFTOBER, week 2!

What is Scarftober, you ask? It’s a celebration of all things scarfy, combined with the month of October. Last year, I shared a couple of free scarf patterns with this fun twist on words and you all loved them. Check out the Cozy Clusters Infinity Scarf, the Diamond Scarf and the Stashdown Scarf!

There are 5 Fridays this month, which means 5 cozy scarf patterns coming your way. I tried to include a good variety of shapes, textures and techniques, and most of them can be easily adjusted for size and fit. Last week’s pattern was the first in the series - the Bedford Bandana Cowl.

This week’s pattern is shaping up to be a popular one with just about everyone you can think of who enjoys a good scarf. The Cold Front Scarf is a super versatile pattern that can be either a traditional long scarf or seamed at the short ends to make it an infinity style scarf.

Photos used with permission. Clockwise from top: @cotlynscrochet, @haleyhandcrafted, @thecraftycrochetier

The understated texture on this piece is the result of working simple stitches just a little bit differently - through the front loop only (hence, Cold “Front”!). I’m always on the lookout for ways to use the basics in a new and fun way - if that sounds like fun to you, I invite you to check out my Stitch Exploration Series!

If you can’t get started on this one right away, I understand. Makers always have tons on the go! Add this to your Ravelry queue and fa vourites, or save it to your Pinterest board so that you have quick and easy access once you’re ready to dive in!

The thing I love most about this pattern is that it really works well with any size yarn (and appropriate size hook). You can totally customize it to the width and length you want using the yarn of your dreams! The pattern is written specifically for DK weight yarn, but follow the tips in the Variations section at the end to help you get your perfect scarf.

Aren’t testers just the best?! I’m so grateful for wonderful pattern testers like (clockwise from top left) Julia of @hookedbyjulesz, Heidi of @cotlynscrochet, Mel of @firstcoffee.thencrochet and Emily of @theratrix. Make sure to show them some love on their pages!

Materials

Hook - 4.5mm crochet hook

Yarn - DK weight, approx. 425 yds/389m. I used a combination of two sport-ish weight yarns (super technical, right?!) that resulted in approximately DK weight. Testers also used DK and worsted weight yarns.

Notions - scissors, tape measure, yarn needle

Terminology/Abbreviations

This pattern uses standard US terms as detailed by the Craft Yarn Council, and helpful video tutorials are linked where appropriate:

Ch: chain

Dc: double crochet

FLO: working into the front loop only VIDEO

Sc: single crochet

St(s): stitch(es)

Sizing

Gauge (unblocked): 17 sts x 9 rows = 4”/10cm in pattern repeat (starting with a dc row)

Finished Measurements (unblocked and before seaming for infinity style): 8 x 62”/20.5 x 157.5 cm

Notes

Gauge and finished measurements are not critical for this project, especially if using yarn and hooks other than what is listed above.

The fabric created by this pattern is meant to be fairly solid and closed, as in there should not be a lot of space between the stitches. See the Variations section for helpful tips on hook sizes!

The ch 1 to start Row 2 does not count as a stitch. The ch 3 to start Row 3 does count as a dc.

The last stitch of each row is worked regularly, through both loops.

To adjust the width of your scarf, work fewer or more chain stitches in Row 1.

To adjust the length of your scarf, work fewer or more repeats of Rows 2 and 3.

Pattern Instructions

Row 1. Ch 35 and turn. Dc in 4th ch from hook (first 3 ch sts count as first st) and each ch across and turn. < 33 dc >

Row 2. Ch 1, sc in first st. Sc FLO in each st across until 1 st remains. Sc in last st and turn. < 33 sc >

Row 3. Ch 3, dc FLO in next st and each st across until 1 st remains. Dc in last st and turn. < 33 dc >

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 until your scarf measures approx. 62” long (or desired length). Fasten off and weave in ends. Proceed to Finishing section.

TIP: if you plan to make your scarf into an infinity scarf, end with a repeat of Row 2 (this will help your seam be less visible!) and leave a long tail when you fasten off (for seaming).

Variations

STYLE

For a long scarf, you’re ready to wear it as is! See below for fringe/tassel options if that’s your jam.

For an infinity scarf, match up the short ends, taking care not to twist the scarf. Seam the two ends together using your favourite seaming method (mattress stitch or slip stitch seam works well with this pattern!).

YARN SIZE AND HOOKS

If you’re going to use a different weight yarn than what I’ve used, I recommend trying it out with the hook size that is suggested on the label (common for many store-brand yarns). If your yarn does not list a suggested hook size, start with the following and make adjustments if necessary to get the perfect drape for you:

Fingering/Sock (1): US D/3.25mm - US F/3.75mm

Sport (2): US F/3.75mm - US G/4mm
DK (3): US G/4mm - US H/5mm
Worsted (4): US H/5mm - US K/6.5mm
Bulky (5): US K/6.5mm - US L/8mm
Super Bulky (6): US M/9mm - US N/10mm

Finishing

BLOCKING

I admit, I did not block my scarf (if you’re a devout blocker, please don’t hate me!). One of the yarns I used was a cotton blend, so I found that it had enough structure to help the stitches stand out as is. If you plan to block, I suggest doing it before seaming the infinity scarf. Lay your scarf out flat and gently pass over it with a garment steamer (I like THIS ONE) or an iron on the steam setting. Take care not to touch the hot surface to your yarn - irons and yarn do not play well together!

FRINGE/TASSEL - OPTIONAL

Fringe always adds that extra dynamic detail that can turn your piece into a major statement. If you’re making a long scarf and want to add fringe, cut lengths of yarn that are 2 times the desired length of your fringe, and loop them through each stitch on the short ends of your scarf. You can experiment with using several strands together, or try a different colour altogether!

Alternatively, you could add a tassels. Check out this tutorial that shows you how to make a tassel by hand, if you don’t have a tassel maker.

Save this pattern to your Ravelry queue, or add a project to the pattern page!

Cold front scarf on Ravelry

Congratulations on finishing your Cold Front Scarf! I hope you enjoyed the meditative stitches as much as I did. Share your finished cowl on Instagram using the hashtags #ColdFrontScarf and #CapitalCrochet, and tag me, @capital.crochet!

You may sell finished items made from this pattern, but please credit me as the designer by linking back to this blog post. Please do not use my pictures in your listings, and please do not share, reproduce or repost the content from this page anywhere else on the internet. Please DO share the link to this page!

Thank you so much for your support! If you’d like to be the first to know about new patterns and other blog posts, make sure to subscribe to my newsletter below.

If you love scarves as much as I do, check out some of the other patterns in my scarf repertoire! For free patterns, you’ll love the Diamond Scarf (mustard) and the Cozy Clusters Infinity Scarf (blues) both of which were from 2020’s Scarftober series. If ad-free, paid patterns are more your jam, may I suggest the Coniferous Cowl (blue green with ALLLLLL the fringe!) or the Rachel Super Scarf (neutrals). Click on your favourite below to check out the pattern!

Don’t forget, there are more cozy scarves coming up all this month, so make sure to check back each Friday for a new pattern.