November Air: Crochet Pattern: Cabin Fever Scarf

Folks all over the East coast have been enjoying a bout of snowy laziness, the likes of which we haven't enjoyed since 1996. I know for some, lack of stuff to do eventually leads to the dreaded Cabin Fever, characterized by boredom, restlessness, itchy fingers aching for stuff to do, and general cranky behavior. In an effort to help your recovery, I'm posting a free crochet pattern (or really, design guide).

For this scarf, start by raiding your stash. Pull out partial balls of yarn leftover from various projects, or small balls of handspun. Match up complementary colors and textures, and go! This project is meant for instant gratification.

DESIGN GUIDE:

Any yarn, any gauge, any width, any length. Can be a short scarf with buttons or a pin, a very long scarf with fantastic fringe, or even a shawl.

With hook size appropriate for yarn (check label, or just test a few), chain the length of your scarf/shawl loosely. Honestly, it's a lot to count, just gently chain away until it "looks about right". The beginning chain will be the lengthwise center.

Of the examples you see, two are made with Red Heart Acrylic yarn leftover from afghans, the third is Lion Brand Homespun from various projects. The beginning chain is in the center of all of these. Color progression details are as follows:

Blue/Brown: Foundation chain, blue. 5 rows blue. Flip. Starting at foundation chain, 5 rows brown.

Green: Foundation chain, White. 2 rows white, 2 rows mint green, 2 rows medium green, 1 row forest green. Flip. Starting at foundation chain, repeat color progression.

Homespun: Foundation chain, raspberry. 1 row raspberry, 1 row cream, 2 rows aqua, 1 row cream, 2 rows raspberry. Flip. Starting at foundation chain, repeat color progression.

Stitch Pattern:

First row - Skip first Ch, SC in next 3 ch, *Ch 1, skip one ch, SC in next Ch, repeat from * across to last 4 Ch, then SC in last 4 Ch. If the number of chains is off by one, fudge it by SC twice in one chain. Don't cringe, it is just a quickie scarf - it'll be fine. Mark this side as "front" with a piece of scrap yarn or safety pin.

Next row (change color if desired) - Ch 1, SC in next 3 SC, *Ch 1, skip next SC, SC into next Ch 1 space. Repeat from * across to last Ch 1 space. SC in that Ch 1 space as normal, then SC in last 3 SC (makes 4 SC in a row).

Repeat last row, changing colors as desired, until half desired width is reached.

Flip scarf, returning to foundation chain. Make sure that the "front" is facing you. Attach yarn, Ch 1, SC in back/unused loops of next 3 Ch, *Ch 1, skip next SC space, SC in next unused Ch space, Repeat from * across to last Ch 1 space. SC in that Ch 1 space as normal, then SC in back/unused loops of next 3 Ch (makes 4 SC in a row).

Next row (change color if desired) - Ch 1, SC in next 3 SC, *Ch 1, skip next SC, SC into next Ch 1 space. Repeat from * across to last Ch 1 space. SC in that Ch 1 space as normal, then SC in last 3 SC (makes 4 SC in a row).