Two Color Free Crochet Scarf Pattern

This Two Color Free Crochet Scarf Pattern is perfect for anyone, with its clever geometric styling in a striking “tire treads” look. It only takes three different stitches!

Use the stitch multiple to change the width or length so you can make a greater variety of projects with the same stitch pattern.

“Treads Scarf” free crochet pattern by Kim Guzman © Feb. 2023. All right reserved.
Technique: Regular Crochet.
Skill Level: Easy.

Crochet Pattern At A Glance

This is a free crochet pattern and the written instructions are below. If you prefer a printable download, a PDF is also available for purchase.

My Crochet Pattern Notes

This scarf is made lengthwise, long end to long end rather than short side to short side. When designing it, I wanted the “tire treads” to go in this direction rather than shorter treads, worked across the short side.

This is a great design that would work for many different projects. While I was stitching it up, I thought how great it would be as an afghan. It would work especially well as a gift for a man. Looking for afghans for men isn’t always easy with crochet. This would be perfect.

It would look great substituting a self-striping for the secondary color too. Definitely a project that makes the mind wander to even more great things.

Pin It For Later

Finished Size

6″ wide, 63″ long.

Yarn

Stylecraft “Special DK”, 100% acrylic, 322 yds/295m per 3.5 oz/100g per skein: 1 skein each of colors Fuchsia Purple (225 yds used) and Grey (175 yds used).

Popular Free Crochet Patterns

Yarn Substitution

Stylecraft Special DK is my favorite go-to yarn. I use it all the time. There’s a lot of yardage on one skein and the price is right for me. It’s economical and easy care.

If you are unable to use Stylecraft Special DK, any acrylic or acrylic blend in size 3 lightweight yarn will be close enough. For a design like this, I prefer a yarn that will hold its own without being too overly soft.

You can also use a heavier weight yarn, if you prefer. You’ll need to adjust the stitch count. I’ve provided the stitch multiple to easily change the beginning chain.

Other Materials

Suggested Crochet Hook Size H-8 (5mm) or hook needed to meet gauge.
Yarn Needle for weaving ends.

Special Stitches

Ordinarily, I wouldn’t call out a Double Treble Crochet in the Special Stitches section. It’s not anything new, of course. It’s more about where the stitch is worked rather than how to do it.

For ease, you make the double treble in the skipped stitch from three rows below. The skipped stitch makes it easy to see where you place the double treble.

The skipped stitch is worked in the same color as the one you’re currently using for the double treble itself. You skip over the entire section of the secondary color.

Insert hook under the top two loops of the skipped stitches, just like you do normally, but bring the hook back into the front of the work before yarning over to complete the stitch.

It’s very simple, but it takes a little practice at first.

Other Abbreviations

This crochet scarf pattern is written in US crochet terminology.

ch=chain; dc=double crochet; dtr=double treble crochet; rep=repeat; sc=single crochet; sk=skip; st(s)=stitch(es).

*A dtr has 3 yarn overs to start.

All numbers after the colon at the end of an instruction are stitch counts. Use the stitch count to check your work.

Gauge

Working in stitch pattern, 15 stitches for 12 rows measures approximately 4″ x 4″.

Stitch Multiple

To change the width, make your initial chain any multiple of 4, then add 9.

How To Change Colors

For this scarf pattern, when you need to make a color change, it’s always on the last stitch of that row. On the last stitch, you complete the stitch until you have two loops on your hook, then yarn over and pull through the new color.

Cut Off Yarn After Color Change

In many of my projects, I like to carry up the unused color along the sides of the rows instead of cutting off. This produces a small strand of yarn along the edge.

Sometimes, this strand doesn’t bother me because I’ll be seaming or applying a trim, which would hide it. In this scarf though, I wanted distinct striping along the edges so I recommend cutting off after each color change. Don’t worry. There aren’t that many rows so not many ends to weave later.

Try it both ways to see which you like best.

Free Crochet Pattern Instructions

Note: If you prefer Foundation Single Crochet, make 236 (or one stitch less than the initial chain if you’re using the stitch multiples).

Row 1: With Fuchsia Purple, ch 237, sc in second ch from hook and in each remaining ch, turn: 236 sc.

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as first dc here and throughout), sk first sc, dc in each sc across, changing to Grey on last dc, turn: 236 dc.

Row 3: With Grey, ch 1, sc in first dc and next 4 dc, *ch 1, sk 1 dc, sc in next 3 dc, rep from * to last 3 dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, sc in last 2 dc, turn.

Note: For this scarf, you won’t be working into the chain-1 spaces. You work directly into the chain itself.

Row 4: Ch 2, sk first sc, dc in next sc, *dc in CHAIN above the skipped dc, dc in next 3 sc, rep from * last 2 sc, dc in last 2 sc, changing to Fuchsia Purple on last dc, turn: 236 dc.

Row 5: With Fuchsia Purple, ch 1, sc in first 2 dc, *in third row below, dtr in skipped dc (reach forward a little bit) (see Special Stitches above), sk next dc in current row, sc in next 3 dc, rep from * to last 2 dc, sc in last 2 dc, turn.

Row 6: Ch 2, sk first sc, *dc in each st across, changing to Grey on last dc, turn: 236 dc.

Row 7: With Grey, ch 1, sc in first 2 dc, *ch 1, sk 1 dc, sc in next 3 dc, rep from * to last 2 dc, sc in last 2 dc, turn.

Row 8: Ch 2, sk first sc, dc in next sc, *dc in next 3 sc, dc in CHAIN above the skipped dc, rep from * last 2 sc, dc in last 2 sc, changing to Fuchsia Purple on last dc, turn: 236 dc.

Row 9: With Fuchsia Purple, ch 1, sc in first 2 dc, *sc in next 3 dc, in third row below, dtr in skipped dc (reach back a little), sk next dc in current row, rep from * to last 2 dc, sc in last 2 dc, turn.

Row 10: Ch 2, sk first sc, *dc in each st across, changing to Grey on last dc, turn: 236 dc.

Rows 11-18: Rep rows 3-10. Fasten off after final row.

Finishing

Weave in all ends securely.

Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest

TERMS: To my fellow crafters, you have my permission to use my patterns to make and sell your projects* anywhere you like. You cannot use my images to sell your projects, though. You must take photos of your own work. All patterns have been tested but mistakes can happen. If you find a mistake, please let me know.

*Not intended to be blanket permission for mass production.