Squishy Stripes Crochet Scarf Pattern Free: Super Bulky Herringbone & Ribbed Wrap

Nothing elevates a winter coat faster than a high-contrast striped scarf with substantial, squishy texture. The Squishy Stripes Crochet Scarf Pattern pairs two clever construction details: first, you crochet two matching back-loop-only single crochet (scbl) ribbed end cuffs in solid Black; then you work directly along the long edge of the first cuff in alternating 2-row stripes of Natural and Black using the Herringbone Half Double Crochet (Herringbone hdc) stitch before seaming the second ribbed cuff to the opposite end.

Why Herringbone Half Double Crochet Creates Extra “Squish”

In a standard half double crochet, you yarn over and pull through all three loops on your hook at once. In Herringbone Half Double Crochet (Herringbone hdc), you pull the first loop immediately through the second loop on your hook (like a slip stitch), then yarn over and draw through the remaining two loops. That slight diagonal tilt stacks the yarn strands horizontally, creating a braided ridge along every 2-row stripe.

Materials & Custom Scarf Length Chart

• Contrast A: 3 balls of Bernat® Softee Chunky™ in Black (28040) (245 yds / 224 m).
• Contrast B: 2 balls of Bernat® Softee Chunky™ in Natural (28008) (178 yds / 163 m).
• Hook: Size U.S. L/11 (8.0 mm) crochet hook.
• Notions: Large-eye yarn needle and scissors.

Abbreviations & Special Stitches (US Crochet Terms)

• Approx = Approximately
• Beg = Begin(ning)
• Ch = Chain(s)
• Cont = Continue
• Herringbone hdc (Herringbone Half Double Crochet) = Yoh and insert hook into next stitch. Yoh and draw through stitch and first loop on hook. Yoh and draw through remaining 2 loops on hook.
• Pat = Pattern
• Rem = Remaining
• Rep = Repeat
• RS = Right side
• Sc = Single crochet
• Scbl = Single crochet in back loop only
• Sl st = Slip stitch
• St(s) = Stitch(es)
• Yoh = Yarn over hook

Step-by-Step Crochet Instructions

Part 1: Ribbed Scarf Ends (Make 2 Alike)

1. Foundation Chain: With Contrast A (Black), ch 11.
2. Row 1: Work 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Work 1 sc in each ch to end of chain. Turn. (10 sc)
3. Row 2: Ch 1. Work 1 scbl (single crochet in back loop only) in each st to end of row. Turn. (10 scbl)
4. Repeat for Cuff Width: Repeat Row 2 until the long edge of the Ribbed Scarf End measures 7″ [18 cm] (without stretching). Fasten off. Make a second identical Ribbed Scarf End and set it aside for the finishing step.

Part 2: Striped Herringbone Scarf Body

Stripe Pattern (4-Row Repeat):
With Contrast B (Natural), work 2 rows.
With Contrast A (Black), work 2 rows.
These 4 rows form the Stripe Pattern.

1. Join to First Cuff: With the long 7″ edge of the first Ribbed Scarf End pointed up, join Contrast B (Natural) with a slip stitch (sl st) to the top right corner.
2. Row 1 (RS): Ch 2 (does not count as a st). Work 14 Herringbone hdc evenly spaced across the long edge of the Ribbed Scarf End. Turn. (14 sts)
3. Row 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a st). Work 1 Herringbone hdc in each st to end of row. Turn. (14 sts — first 2 rows of Stripe Pat are complete)
4. Continue in Stripes: Keeping continuity of the 4-row Stripe Pattern (2 rows A, 2 rows B), repeat Row 2 until the Scarf measures approximately 75″ [190.5 cm] from the beginning, ending with 2 rows of Contrast B (Natural). Fasten off.

Part 3: Attaching the Second Ribbed Cuff

1. With Right Side (RS) facing, align the long 7″ edge of your second Black Ribbed Scarf End against the final Natural row of the scarf body and whipstitch neatly in place using Contrast A (Black). Weave in all yarn ends.

Tips for Clean 2-Row Stripe Edges

• Carry Yarn Up the Side Edge Loosely: Because each stripe is only 2 rows tall, you never have to cut your yarn between stripes! Simply drop the old color at the end of every second row and pick up the waiting strand from two rows below on the final yarn-over of the last stitch, keeping the side float relaxed so the edge stays stretchy.