Free Crochet Pattern: Easy Button Scarf or Cowl

My Barley Twist Crochet Button Scarf or Cowl: 

Free Crochet Pattern Suitable for Beginners

 

Barley Twist Button Scarf

If you are looking for a fast and easy crochet project with almost instant gratification my free crochet pattern for this chunky button scarf or cowl will suit you down to the ground. I've included full instructions and a step by step guide to the stitches used. Although I am based in the UK I use US crochet terms.

Now I've learned the basic stitches in crocheting I find myself experimenting and came up with this cute and cosy cowl. I have seen lots of patterns for crochet into the back loop and wondered what  it would look like when worked into the front loop - this was the result. The joy of this stitch is you don't need to make button holes as the weave is loose enough to take buttons.  You can adjust the size of your cowl by increasing the number of stitches in your chain across and how many rows you crochet. There are also different ways to drape your scarf, use the buttons in different places to create different looks.  
All the images used in this article are by the author and copyright to AnnMackieMiller 2015

5 styles for your button scarf

 

How to identify loops in crochet

the top of crochet project

I've used crocheting into the front loop for this scarf so you need to know what I mean. If you turn your project so you look at the top you will see the stitches form a V shape with a loop at either side. Generally, the loop closest to you is called the back loop and the loop furthest away from you is the front loop - this is almost always the right side of the work.

 

crochet through the front loop

How to crochet a double crochet stitch through the front loop to create a ribbed effect

1. Step 1 - You will start with one loop/stitch on your hook - yarn over hook
2. Step 2 - Put your hook through the front loop of your chain.
3. Step 3 - Yarn over hook again.
4. Step 4- Pull that through the loop which will give you three loops on your hook.
5. Step 5 - Yarn over hook again.
6. Step 6 - Pull through 2 loops which will leave you with 2 loops on your hook.
7. Step 7 - Yarn over hook.
8. Step 8 - Pull through 2 loops leaving 1 loop on your hook.

Step by Step Guide to Double Crochet Through Front Loop

What you need for this project

Barley Twist Yarn and Crochet Needles

about 100 yards chunky yarn - I used Barley Twist yarn from Aldi

size 10 mm crochet hook

3 or 4 large buttons

wide-eye yarn needle

scissors

Abbreviations Used:

Ch = chain

St = stitch

SC = Single crochet

DC = double crochet

FR - front loop

  

Chunky Button Scarf: 

Free Crochet Pattern

METHOD:

• Chain 22 stitches + 1 for turning - this is working from the narrow edge down.
• Row 1: Create your foundation row with single crochet stitches. Skip the first chain stitch. Single crochet every chain stitch across. To make a single crochet stitch, insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull yarn through which will give you 2 loops on your hook, yarn over and pull through both loops. Chain 2 and turn your work. This forms your foundation row.
• Row 2: skip first stitch. Double crochet into the front loop of every stitch across. At the end crochet into the turning chain to end. Chain 2.
• Repeat Row 2 until you reach the length you want. I suggest around 21 inches.

To Finish:

• At last stitch, cut yarn and pull through the last stitch to secure.
• Using a yarn needle weave in the ends to tidy up.
• Sew three large buttons on one edge.
• Wrap the scarf around your neck to find where the free end sits - sew your last button at this point.

You can adjust how your scarf drapes depending how you fasten the buttons.

Adjust the number of stitched in your chain to make a smaller or larger scarf. I reduced the number to make this pretty blue button scarf.

Front Loop Crochet Button Scarf in Blue

Suggest Yarns