Not-So-Mesh Scarf

  If you've ever bought a fluffy, textured yarn and found it difficult to work with, then you've found the perfect pattern to use it on! Can you believe there's open mesh stitch in all of that of super-bulky yarn? When I unearthed three skeins of Country Loom yarn from my stash, the memories flooded back... Bought when I was a beginner, I found it extremely frustrating to work with this fuzzy yarn. (Read the rest of that story along with my review of Country Loom.) Even though my skills have advanced since then, there's times I still prefer "easy" over a challenge... So I set my mind to designing a pattern that might make it possible for a beginner to tackle with this yarn.

  You can choose to work in short rows for a more textured, scalloped edge, or start with the length of the scarf for a straight-edge, ribbed design. This stitch pattern is simple to follow with a one-row repeat, and you only have to work directly into a stitch one single time to begin the project. The rest is all easily worked into chain spaces!

  This scarf works up super-quick using super-bulky yarn, and a large P - 10 mm hook helps it go even faster. If you're a speedy crocheter and you catch on to the pattern quickly, you just might find yourself done in an hour like I was!.. In case you need a little help with your project, there's a photo tutorial included after the pattern and stitch diagram... Or, you can click here for a video tutorial.

Finished size:
Both versions shown are 60" (152 cm) long and 4" (10 cm) wide.
Total yarn weight: 4 oz. / 113 g.

Skill level:
Easy

Materials:
Super-bulky weight (6) acrylic yarn
I used Country Loom by Loops & Threads in the color Merlot, which seems to be a discontinued colorway. Similar colors (currently) available are Kiss Me or Tapestry.
Crochet hook size P - 10 mm
Stitch markers
Yarn needle

Gauge:

In 4" by 4" (10 cm by 10 cm)
7 rows of 4 multiples

Notes:

Multiple for pattern stitch is 2 + 1.

Pattern uses a "ladder" of stitches to take the place of the beginning chain. This counts as row 1.

Chain 1 at beginning of rows does not count as a stitch.

Half double crochet at end of rows counts as (chain 1, single crochet).

Stitches:
(American terms)

Chain
Half double crochet
Single crochet

Instructions:

Check out the video tutorial starting around 9:00 to see why this pattern changes so much just by working different directions. The amount of stretch might affect which version you want to create.

Row 1:
Chain 2. Half double crochet in the farthest chain from the hook.
*Chain 2. Half double crochet in the space between the previous chain-2 and half double crochet.*
Repeat from * to * for desired length or width...
For short-row version, work 4 multiples across.
For long-row version, work 60 multiples or to a length of 60".

Row 2:
Working into the half-double-crochet side of the first row... Chain 1, single crochet in the first available space.
(Chain 1, single crochet in the next space) to end of row*... You will have one less chain space in the row once you've worked into the last space.
*3x for short rows; 59x for long rows.
Half double crochet in the last same space as the last single crochet made (counts as chain-1, single crochet).
Short row: 4 chain-1 spaces / Long row: 60 chain-1 spaces.

Row 3:
Chain 1, turn. Single crochet in the first chain-1 space.
(Chain 1, single crochet in the next chain-1 space) to the end of the row.
Half double crochet in the same as last single crochet made.

Repeat Row 3 for each additional row.
7 rows total for long-row version; short-row version worked to length (60") without counting.

Bind off; weave in ends.

Stitch Diagram:
Click on the chart below to enlarge image.

Photo tutorial:

Chain 2, yarn over for a half double crochet:

Insert hook in the first chain/farthest from hook:

Yarn over, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook)...

Yarn over, pull through all three loops:

Chain 2, yarn over for a half double crochet:

Insert hook between the previous chain-2 and half double crochet:

Complete the stitch for a half double crochet:

(Chain 2, half double crochet in the space below) to desired length or width:

Single crochet in the first available space:

Chain 1, single crochet in the next space:

(Chain 1, single crochet in the next space) to the end of the row:

Half double crochet in the same as last:

Chain 1, turn, single crochet in the first space:

Follow the previous steps for each row. Mark beginning/end spaces of rows:

Happy Crocheting!