Crochet Pattern: Gradient Shells Scarf (with styling suggestions)

I’m releasing a new free crochet pattern every week through December. Each one can be made with 3 skeins of yarn or less, and would make a great gift (for someone else, or as a reward to yourself for all of your holiday crafting!). The Gradient Shells Scarf is a shell stitch scarf crocheted with self-striping yarn to make the colorwork easy.

 This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links.The yarn for the sample was generously provided by WeCrochet.

I love my shell stitch scarf patterns to include stripes so the shells are more visible, but I don’t love all the color changes and weaving in ends. The Gradient Shells Scarf is a great last minute gift. It’s crocheted with two skeins of WeCrochet Chroma Worsted, a self-striping yarn. The yarn does all the work of striping the scarf for you, so you don’t have to change colors or weave in lots of ends.

Unlike many shell stitch pattern scarves, this one has straight edges on both sides, making it a great unisex pattern.

I wanted to keep it to a two-skein project. Since this scarf ended up a little shorter than most, I thought I’d try some styling variations. I checked out the Scarf Knot Master List on Scarves.net, and tried The Girly Windsor

…and the Scarf Boa.

I think both look great, as does the traditional wrap…

…and the over-the-shoulder wrap.

This colorway, Parakeet, is no longer available, but there are many other fabulous colorways available in WeCrochet Chroma Worsted. Chroma is also available in a fingering weight version!

This post is part of the Countdown to Christmas I’m sharing with folks signed up for the Crochet Along updates and the Underground Crafter newsletter.

Each day through December 24, 2023, I’m sharing a 2-day free coupon code straight to your inbox for one of my crochet patterns that is perfect for winter or holiday crafting. The Gradient Shells Scarf is the December 5 featured pattern. Sign up now to get access to the free PDF! (When you sign up for this list, you get regular updates from Underground Crafter, and an update email about every pattern for the CALs I host as those patterns are released. When you sign up, you’ll also get access to my subscriber vault which includes exclusive free PDF patterns, a coupon code for your choice of any crochet or knitting pattern or ebook from my Ravelry shop, and coupon codes from other indie designers and crafts businesses.)

If you make your own Gradient Shells Scarf, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter or Instagram as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and other subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

Add the Gradient Shells Scarf to your favorites or queue, or buy the ad-free PDF on Ravelry.

Underground Crafter on Ravelry

Gradient Shells Scarf

Shell Stitch Scarf Crochet Pattern by Underground Crafter

02-easy 50
US terms 50
4-medium 50

This gender-neutral, shell stitch scarf pattern works up quickly with self-striping yarn. 

Finished Size

  • Teen/Adult: 6.5” (16.5 cm) wide x 53” (134.5 cm) long.

Materials

  • WeCrochet Chroma Worsted yarn (70% wool/30%n nylon, 3.5 oz/100 g, 198 yd/181 m) – 2 skeins in 26181 Parakeet, or approximately 390 yd (357 m) in any medium weight, self-striping yarn.
  • US I-9/5.5 mm crochet hook, or any size needed to obtain gauge.
  • Yarn needle.

Gauge

  • 19 sts x 8.5 rows in pattern = 4” (10 cm). Exact gauge is not critical for this project.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

  • ch – chain
  • dc – double crochet
  • dc5tog – double crochet 5 stitches together (decreases 4 sts, worked over 5 sts) – [Yo, insert hook in next st, yo and draw up a loop, yo and draw through 2 loops] 5 times, yo and draw through 6 loops. Hooks, Books, & Wanderlust has a helpful video tutorial for this stitch shown below.
  • sc – single crochet
  • st(s) – stitch(es)
  • yo – yarn over
  • * Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.
  • [] Repeat instructions between brackets as indicated.

Pattern Notes

  • For best results, start the scarf at the beginning of a color repeat. When adding on a new skein of yarn, start at the beginning of the same or next color repeat to continue striping pattern.
  • To make scarf wider or narrower, add or subtract multiples of 6 sts from the foundation chain. To make scarf shorter or longer, reduce or continue the repeats of Rows 2-3.

Pattern Instructions

Scarf

  • Ch 32 (or any multiple of 6 sts, + 2 sts).
  • Row 1: Turn, skip 1 ch, sc in next ch and in each ch across. (31 sts)
  • Row 2: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st, *skip next 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, skip next 2 sts, sc in next st; repeat from * across.
  • Row 3: Turn, ch 3 (counts as first dc, here and throughout), 2 dc in same st, *skip 2 sts, sc in next st, skip 2 sts,** 5 dc in next st; repeat from * across, ending last repeat after ** with 1 st left, 3 dc in next st.
  • Repeat Rows 2-3, 56 times, or until scarf measures approximately 52” (132 cm) long (or approximately 1” (2.5 cm) shorter than desired finished length.
  • Row 4: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st, *ch 2, dc5tog, ch 2, sc in next st; repeat from * across.
  • Row 5: Turn, ch 1, sc in first st and in each st across. Fasten off.

Finishing

  • With yarn needle, weave in ends.
© 2014, 2020, 2023 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: http://undergroundcrafter.com/2014/11/28/free-pattern-gradient-shells-scarf-with-styling-suggestions. Thanks for supporting indie designers!

16 thoughts on “Crochet Pattern: Gradient Shells Scarf (with styling suggestions)”

  1. This is it! I’ve been looking for a scarf pattern for a dear friend!!! Thank you so very much for sharing your talent ♥
    ~Tess

    Reply
  2. Loved making this! I used your method to make it wider and turned it into a bit of a super scarf. The pattern was easy to follow and I will definitely be making this more than once!

    Reply

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