Free pattern: Twisted crocodile stitch keyhole scarf
I am pleased to share another free pattern in collaboration with Galler Yarns!
Download Twisted Crocodile Stitch Keyhole Scarf PDF Pattern.
I actually finished this keyhole scarf around Thanksgiving, but have been waiting to release the pattern before sharing pictures. (I took these pictures in Central Park on the same day as my Chubby Sheep free pattern photos, so you may see some background similarities.)
I love keyhole scarves. I commute on the subway and share a work space (and coat rack) with many people, so I don’t like carrying around a lot of big stuff in the winter because there is no place to keep it. If you’ve been to New York City in January, though, you know you still need to bundle up in the winter. A keyhole scarf is my compromise because it keeps you warm but is small enough to stuff in your pocket when you hang up your coat. (Hint: It is also a great last minute gift, since it is much faster to make than a full length scarf!)
This is a self-portrait of me wearing the completed twisted crocodile stitch keyhole scarf.
I made this keyhole scarf using Galler’s Heather Prime Alpaca. This yarn is a DK/sport/#3 weight superfine alpaca grown from Peru. I love alpaca yarns, and Heather Prime Alpaca is super soft. Somehow, even though I didn’t pick the color myself, the folks at Galler Yarns must have known that I love everything in the purple family because they sent me color 207, which is a heather purple. The yarn skein is so large (0.5 lbs or 600 yards!) that you can make two of these keyhole scarves with one skein, and still have some yarn to spare.
Here’s a more artsy self-portrait, in black and white.
I really have to thank my pattern testers, Daynawithay, patriciaelizabeth, soxvixen, and ss9904 on Ravelry, for all of their great suggestions, including the one about reducing the size of the keyhole in the final pattern.
Here’s a detail of the keyhole opening. It is small to keep the warmth inside.
I really had a lot of fun with this stitch…
Here’s a stitch detail. You can see the yummy heatheriness (ok, I know it isn’t a word) of the yarn.
… but it was hard to explain. So I included a one page photo tutorial in the pattern.
A picture from the photo tutorial.
I took the pictures for the tutorial over the weekend at my sister’s place. She has great natural lighting and a white desk, so I didn’t even need a background piece.
If you like the pattern, please show it some love on Ravelry!
For more finished objects, visit Tami’s Amis!
Scarves are great anywhere, anytime.
Love the color … and good testy-testers are worth their weight in pattern gold, I agree.
Me too, Voie de Vie, that’s why I was so shocked since I never told them about my favorite colors. Testers that give great feedback are AMAZING!
I can’t add this to my Ravelry favourites quickly enough, I love it! I also love keyhole scarves, and I can’t wait to have some selfish-crafting time to try this pattern out. I really love the texture you’ve created, and that really is fantastic yarn.
Yay, thanks Kathleen! The yarn is scrumptious! I’ve made the patterns in other yarns too, and people always comment on it.
This was a fun, fairly quick project. I enjoyed testing it for you! The first friend I showed it to said she would love it if I wasn’t going to keep it for myself. 1 more Christmas present done
Thanks Tonya! The already made, yet secret, gifts are the best!
The scarf looks great on you! I really like the stitch pattern that you used. It gives the scarf a lot of visual interest. The keyhole makes it easy to wear and keep in place around the neck. Another wonderful design!
Thanks autumngeisha, Stacey, Minding My Own Stitches, and Sandy! I had a lot of fun with the scarf (and learning to fit my head and the scarf into one picture with the self-portraits)!
Looks great!!!
Looks toasty warm – perfect to fill the gap at the collar! I feel warmer just looking at your photos!
Looks awesome
I so love this scarf and try to make but I think I’m doing something wrong cause my doesn’t look anything like your. Would you make a video showing how to do the 1st and 2nd rows so I can try again. Cause I think it’s a beautiful scarf. And being for NYC I know it gets COLD!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing!!!!! Keep up the great work.
Thanks for your kind words, Onetruelady. Unfortunately, I don’t have a great set up for making videos at this time, but if you have specific questions about the pattern, I’m happy to answer them. Please feel free to contact me via email (see the About page for my contact information) or on Ravelry.