Cosy Crochet Winter Scarf Patterns To Keep You Warm This Season

Winter is properly here now and I’ve been pulling out all my scarves from last year. Half of them have mysteriously developed holes, and the rest just feel a bit tired. So I’ve been crocheting up a storm making new scarves for this season.

There’s something brilliant about making your own winter scarves. You can choose exactly the colours you want, make them as long or as chunky as you like, and they work up surprisingly quickly. Plus, they make wonderful gifts if you’re organised enough to start before Christmas Eve.

I’ve put together this guide to my favourite crochet winter scarf patterns, from dead-simple beginner projects to more interesting textured designs. Whether you’ve got leftover yarn to use up or want to splash out on something really soft and cosy, there’s a pattern here that’ll work for you.

Cosy Crochet Winter Scarf Patterns

Why Crochet Your Own Winter Scarves?

Before we get into the actual patterns, let me tell you why I think crocheting scarves is brilliant, especially in winter.

Firstly, they’re quick projects. Unlike jumpers that take weeks, you can finish a chunky scarf in a weekend. Sometimes even in an evening if you’re using really bulky yarn and a big hook (my favourite yarn is Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick n Quick with a 8mm or 9mm hook).

Secondly, they’re perfect for using up leftover yarn. I’ve got bags of random balls from other projects, and scarves are ideal for finally using them up. You can do stripes, colour blocks, or just make a rainbow scarf using all your odds and ends.

Thirdly, they’re genuinely useful. I wear scarves constantly from October through March. Having handmade ones in exactly the colours that match my coat is lovely, and they’re so much better quality than cheap shop-bought ones.

And finally, crochet scarves are a great beginner project. Basic stitches work perfectly, you don’t need to worry about shaping or fitting, and if you mess up a bit, nobody will notice once it’s wrapped around your neck.

Choosing Yarn for Winter Scarves

Right, this bit is important because the yarn you choose makes a massive difference to how your scarf turns out.

Chunky Yarn

Chunky yarn is probably the most popular choice for winter scarves, and for good reason. It works up really fast – we’re talking a cosy scarf in 3-4 hours – and creates lovely thick fabric that’s properly warm.

I use chunky yarn for probably half my winter scarf projects. It’s great with simple stitches because the texture of the yarn itself does a lot of the work. Even basic double crochet looks good in chunky yarn.

Brands like Lion Brand do excellent chunky yarns. Their Wool-Ease Thick & Quick is brilliant – it’s mostly acrylic, so it’s machine washable, but has enough wool to make it warm. Perfect for everyday scarves.

Bulky Weight Yarn

Bulky weight is even thicker than chunky, and if you want a really substantial, cosy scarf that you can properly snuggle into, this is what you need. These work up incredibly quickly – some patterns claim you can finish in under an hour, though I’m never quite that fast.

The downside is bulky yarn can be quite expensive because you need fewer metres per ball, so each ball costs more. But the speed and cosiness often make it worth it.

Worsted Weight Yarn

Worsted weight (or aran weight as we call it in the UK) is thinner than chunky, but it’s still a great choice for winter scarves. You get a bit more drape, and the scarf isn’t quite as bulky around your neck.

I like worsted weight when I’m making scarves with more detailed stitch patterns. Things like moss stitch or cables show up better in a slightly finer yarn. I love the Hayfield Bonus Tweed with Wool Aran, you get 400g for about £13, and it comes in some lovely colours.

Soft Yarn and Wool Blends

Pay attention to how the yarn feels. You’ll be wearing this scarf right against your skin, so scratchy yarn is a no-go. Look for soft yarn – alpaca blends are gorgeous and incredibly soft, merino wool is lovely, or good quality acrylic if you’re on a budget or need something machine washable.

Wool blends (acrylic mixed with some wool) give you the best of both worlds – warmth and softness from the wool, practicality and durability from the acrylic.

Essential Stitches for Winter Scarf Patterns

You don’t need to know loads of complicated stitches to make brilliant winter scarves. These basic stitches will cover most patterns you’ll come across.

Double Crochet

Double crochet (or single crochet in US terms – confusing, I know) is the foundation stitch for loads of scarf patterns. It creates a fairly tight, warm fabric that’s perfect for cold weather.

The great thing about double crochet is that it works up relatively quickly and produces a nice, neat finish. It’s brilliant for simple, classic scarves in a solid colour or with colour changes between rows.

Double Crochet Stitches (UK Treble)

When patterns say “treble crochet stitches” they usually mean UK terminology. These are taller than regular double crochet and work up even faster. They create a slightly more open fabric with nice drape.

I use these for scarves where I want something cosy but not too heavy. They’re perfect with worsted-weight yarn for an everyday scarf.

Moss Stitch

Moss stitch is one of my absolute favourite stitch patterns for scarves. It creates this lovely textured, almost woven look, and it’s so simple – just alternating single crochet and chain stitches.

The brilliant thing about moss stitch is it looks much more complicated than it actually is. It’s a one-row repeat, so once you’ve got the hang of it, you can work on autopilot whilst watching telly. The texture it creates is gorgeous with chunky yarn.

Puff Stitch

Puff stitches create these lovely puffy bumps in your fabric. They’re brilliant for winter scarves because all those puffs trap warm air, making the scarf extra cosy.

Making puff stitches is easier than you’d think – you just yarn over and pull up loops several times in the same stitch, then close them all together. The effect is really impressive and makes your scarf look fancy.

My Favourite Free Crochet Winter Scarf Patterns

Right, let’s get into actual patterns. I’ve tried loads of different scarf patterns over the years, and these are the ones I come back to again and again.

Simple Chunky Scarf – Perfect Beginner Project

This is honestly the best pattern if you’re new to crochet or just want something quick and easy. You use chunky yarn and a 6mm hook (or bigger), and just work rows of double crochet stitches.

The beauty of this pattern is you can make it as long or wide as you want. I usually make mine about 15-20cm wide and 180cm long, which gives you enough to wrap it around your neck properly.

What you’ll need:

2-3 balls of chunky yarn
6mm crochet hook
Scissors and a yarn needle for weaving in loose ends

Make your foundation chain as wide as you want your scarf, then just work double crochet back and forth until it’s long enough. Change colours at the end of rows if you fancy stripes.

This is a great project for using up leftover yarn. I made one using about seven different colours I had lying around, changing every two rows, and it looks brilliant.

Moss Stitch Scarf

Like I said earlier, moss stitch is gorgeous. The pattern is dead simple – chain an even number, then alternate single crochet and chain 1 across the row. On the next row, you single crochet into the chain spaces. That’s it. One-row repeat.

The texture it creates is lovely and bumpy, and it shows up beautifully in chunky yarn. It’s also reversible, which is handy.

I’ve made this pattern in probably five different colour combinations now. It works with solid colour yarn, but it’s also brilliant for showing off variegated yarn because the texture breaks up the colours in interesting ways.

Chunky Scarf with Bobbles

If you fancy something a bit more interesting than plain stitches, a bobble pattern is perfect. Bobbles (which are basically bigger, puffier versions of puff stitches) create amazing texture and trap loads of warm air.

You work rows of basic stitches, then every few rows you add bobbles at intervals. The contrast between the flat background and the puffy bobbles is really effective.

This pattern works brilliantly with colour changes. Do the background in one colour and the bobbles in another for a fun effect. Or keep it all one colour for something more classic.

Infinity Scarf

Infinity scarves are just brilliant. They’re basically a big loop with no ends, and you wear them by wrapping them once or twice around your neck. No faffing with trying to get the ends even, and they stay put much better than traditional scarves.

Making an infinity scarf is exactly the same as making a regular scarf; you just join the ends together to form a loop. I usually crochet a long rectangle about 150cm long, then sew or slip stitch the short ends together.

The key is making sure you don’t twist the scarf before you join the ends. I lay it out flat on the floor first to check it’s not twisted.

Infinity scarves are perfect for kids because they can’t lose one end of the scarf, and they’re easier to put on than traditional scarves.

Colour Block Scarf

If you love playing with different colours, a colour block pattern is so much fun. You work sections in different colours – maybe 20 rows in red, then 20 in cream, then 20 in grey.

The trick is making sure your colours work well together. I usually stick to 2-3 colours maximum, and try to pick shades that complement each other.

Changing colors is easy – when you’re on the last stitch of the last row in one colour, pull through the new colour on the last yarn over. Then continue with the new colour. Weave in the loose ends as you go so you don’t have loads to sort out at the end.

This is another great way to use up leftover yarn. You don’t need complete balls – even small amounts work if you’re doing thin stripes.

Knit-Look Scarf

There’s a clever technique where you crochet through the back loop only, which creates a fabric that looks knitted rather than crocheted. It’s brilliant if you like the look of knitting but find crochet easier.

The pattern is usually just double crochet, but instead of going under both loops at the top of the stitch (like you normally would), you only go under the back loop. This creates horizontal ridges that look like knitting.

Winter Puff Stitch Scarf

A whole scarf made of puff stitches is incredibly warm and cosy. Every stitch creates a little air pocket, making the whole thing brilliantly insulating.

The downside is puff stitch scarves take a bit longer to make because the stitches themselves take more time. But the result is so lovely and squishy that it’s worth it.

Use soft yarn for this one – the puffs create enough texture on their own, so you don’t need fancy yarn. Actually, really simple yarn often works best because you can see the stitch pattern clearly.

Tips for Making Winter Scarves

Here are some things I’ve learned from making probably way too many scarves:

Getting the Right Width

Most adult scarves are between 15cm and 25cm wide. Narrower than 15cm, and they don’t feel substantial enough. Wider than 25cm, and they’re a bit bulky to wear comfortably.

For your foundation chain, chain enough to make the width you want, then add 1 for turning. So if your scarf is going to be 20cm wide and your yarn gives you, say, 10 stitches per 10cm, you’d chain 21.

Length

I make most of my scarves about 180-200cm long. That’s long enough to wrap around your neck with enough left to tuck the ends in, or to tie loosely.

Infinity scarves want to be a bit shorter – about 150-160cm usually works well.

Keeping Edges Neat

The edges of scarves can sometimes get a bit wonky if you’re not careful. The trick is to always work into that first stitch of each row (which is easy to miss) and to count your stitches occasionally to make sure you haven’t accidentally increased or decreased. Use stitch markers to mark you last stitch!

Blocking

This sounds fancy, but it just means getting your finished scarf damp, pinning it out to the right shape, and letting it dry. It makes such a difference to how the finished scarf looks.

I usually just soak my finished scarf in lukewarm water with a tiny bit of wool wash, squeeze out the excess water (don’t wring it), then lay it flat on a towel and pin it to shape. Leave it to dry naturally.

Adding Fringe or Tassels

Tassels on the ends of scarves look lovely and are really easy to add. Cut lengths of yarn about 30cm long (or longer if you want dramatic fringe), fold them in half, and pull them through the edge stitches with your hook. Pull the ends through the loop and tighten.

I usually space tassels about 2cm apart along each short end. You can use the same colour as your scarf or contrasting colours.

How to Use These Patterns for Gifts

Crochet scarves make brilliant presents, especially if you pick colours they love or match them to their coat. They’re personal, useful, and show you’ve put proper thought and effort into them.

If you’re making scarves as gifts, start early. Even a quick chunky scarf takes a few hours, and if you’re making multiple ones, that time adds up. I usually start Christmas scarves in October to avoid panic-making in December.

Pick recipients carefully – scarves work well for pretty much anyone, but think about their style. Does your friend wear bold, bright colours or prefer neutrals? Do they like chunky statement pieces or something more delicate?

Package them nicely, too. Rolling the scarf up and tying it with ribbon looks much nicer than just handing it over in a carrier bag.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Everyone makes these mistakes when they’re starting out. Here’s how to avoid or fix them:

The Scarf Gets Wider or Narrower

This happens when you accidentally add or miss stitches. Count your stitches every few rows until you’re confident. If you spot it early, you can rip back a few rows (called frogging) and redo them.

The Edges Look Messy

Make sure you’re working into the first stitch of every row – it’s easy to miss. Also, check you’re only chaining one at the start of each row (for double crochet) – if you chain more, it creates gaps at the edges.

The Scarf Twists

This mainly happens with long scarves. Make sure you’re not twisting your work when you turn at the end of each row. Lay it out flat occasionally to check it’s staying straight.

Running Out of Yarn

So annoying when this happens! Most patterns tell you how much yarn you need, but if you’re making up your own design, it’s safer to overestimate. I always buy an extra ball if I’m not sure – you can always use leftover yarn for something else.

Caring for Your Finished Scarves

Most scarves can just be chucked in the washing machine if you’ve used acrylic or acrylic-blend yarn. Check the yarn label for washing instructions.

Pure wool scarves need more careful washing – hand wash in cool water with wool-specific detergent, squeeze out excess water gently, then dry flat.

Store scarves folded or rolled loosely. Don’t hang them or they’ll stretch. If you’re storing them for summer, pop a moth deterrent in with them – moths absolutely love wool.

More Free Winter Crochet Patterns

If you’re enjoying making winter accessories, why not try matching items? A scarf and hat set looks brilliant and makes a perfect gift.

Hat patterns are just as quick as scarves, and you can use the same yarn to make coordinating sets. Triangle scarves (basically small shawls) are another lovely winter accessory, and cowls are quicker to make than full-length scarves.

There are loads of free crochet pattern sites online. I particularly like Ravelry for finding free designs – you can search by yarn weight, difficulty level, and exactly what you want to make.

Video Tutorials

If written patterns confuse you (they confused me for ages), video tutorials are brilliant. YouTube has thousands of crochet tutorials showing you exactly how to do each stitch.

I find having a video tutorial playing on my tablet whilst I’m working really helpful, especially for new stitches. You can pause, rewind, and watch the tricky bits multiple times until you get it.

Final Thoughts

I hope this has inspired you to have a go at making your own winter scarves. Honestly, if you can chain and do basic stitches, you can make a perfectly good scarf. Start with something simple like a chunky scarf in double crochet, and once you’ve finished one, you’ll probably be hooked (excuse the pun).

There’s something really satisfying about wearing something you’ve made yourself, especially when people compliment it and you can say “Thanks, I made it!”

Winter is the perfect time for crochet projects like this – it’s too cold and dark to do much outside, so sitting on the sofa with a cosy project and a cup of tea is genuinely lovely. And at the end, you’ve got something useful rather than just having watched telly for three hours.

I’ve got one more scarf to finish before Christmas (it’s going to my sister), and then I’m done with scarves for this year. Though I’ve just bought some gorgeous burgundy chunky yarn in the sales, so I might start just one more…

Right, I’m off to find my crochet hook. Happy crocheting, and stay warm!