This post is part of my monthly charity spotlight series where I highlight a charity that accepts crochet or knit donations and share a free pattern, so read on for details!
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links. Materials for the sample were generously provided by Denise and Kraemer Yarns.
Featured Charity: Foster Care to Success (The Red Scarf Project)
Since 1981, Foster Care to Success (formerly known as the Orphan Foundation of America) has helped to support young adults transitioning out of foster care into independent living. In most states, children “age out” of foster care at age 18 or upon graduating from high school. Foster Care to Success steps in and provides the type of support and structure that other young adults may get from their families, including college and career guidance, advice and training in personal finance, and academic and financial support for college and training programs.
The Red Scarf Project was one program of Foster Care to Success (FCS). After over 20 years, February 2026 marked the final year of the Red Scarf Project. If you’re looking for other organizations to donate your handmade scarves to, check out the regularly updated Ultimate Guide to Crocheting for Charity for Beginners.
About the Tunisian Extended Knit Scarf
Back in June, I went to Washington, D.C. for The National NeedleArts Association summer show and I met the lovely ladies who work at Denise as well as the team from Kraemer Yarns. (Longtime readers know that I love my Denise interchangeable crochet hooks, so I was thrilled to learn about the Denise2Go Crochet for a Cure 2-Hook Set.) After the show, I received a set of the hooks to try out as well as some Perfection Super Bulky from Kraemer, and the idea for this scarf started to come together.
The Perfection Super Bulky is an easy care yarn (and let’s face it, most college students are doing laundry in a rush!). It actually comes in several shades of red, so it’s perfect for The Red Scarf project. I wanted to create a very warm project because I knew some of the students would probably rely on this scarf as their primary winter wear. Tunisian crochet is great for ultra warm winter projects since it can create a dense fabric, but sometimes it can be too dense. That’s why I wanted to pair the super bulky yarn with my Denise2Go kit since it has a broad range of hook sizes. I used the N-15/10 mm hook for the sample, but I tend to have tight tension, which is why I recommend the M-13/9 mm hook for most crocheters. If you’re new to Tunisian crochet, don’t worry! I’ve included a complete video tutorial at the end of the pattern.
If you’re looking for other free patterns that would make great donations, try my free crochet pattern for the Color Blocked Co-Ed Scarf.
If you make your own Tunisian Extended Knit Scarf, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Bluesky as @UndergroundCrafter, Facebook as @UndergroundCrafter, or on 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 private access to my vault of subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!
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Tunisian Extended Knit Scarf
Tunisian Crochet Scarf Pattern by Underground Crafter
This stitch creates a warm and elegant pattern that resembles the stockinette stitch in knitting. The Tunisian Purl Stitch borders and the Extended Knit Stitch make this Tunisian crochet project unlikely to curl.
Finished Size
- Teen/Adult: 6.75” (17 cm) wide x 65.5” (166.5 cm) long.
Materials
- Kraemer Perfection Super Bulky yarn (70% acrylic/30% Merino wool, 5.25 oz/150 g/90 yd/82 m) – 4 skeins in Crimson, or approximately 290 yd (265 m) in any super bulky weight yarn.
- US Size M-13/9 mm Tunisian crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge. (I used the Denise2Go Crochet for a Cure 2-Hook Set.)
- Yarn needle.
Gauge
- 8.5 sts x 5.5 rows in EKS pattern = 4” (10 cm). Exact gauge is not critical for this project.
Abbreviations Used in This Pattern
- ch – chain
- ea – each
- EKS – Tunisian extended knit stitch – Insert hook from front to back through center of next vertical bar, yo and draw up a loop, leave loop on hook, ch 1. A video tutorial for this stitch and all stitches used in the pattern is available below the Pattern Notes.
- rep – repeat
- Return Row – Ch 1, *yo and draw through 2 loops; rep from * across. A video tutorial for this stitch and all stitches used in the pattern is available below the Pattern Notes.
- st(s) – stitch(es)
- TPS – Tunisian purl stitch – Bring yarn to front, insert hook under next vertical bar, yo and draw up a loop, leave loop on hook. A video tutorial for this stitch and all stitches used in the pattern is available below the Pattern Notes.
- yo – yarn over
- * Repeat instructions after asterisk as indicated.
Pattern Notes
- Tunisian crochet rows are worked in 2 parts (forward and return) without turning.
- First vertical bar of each row (underneath first chain on hook) is always skipped.
- A video tutorial for the special stitches is available below.
- If you can’t see the video tutorial above, watch it on YouTube.
Pattern Instructions
Scarf
- Ch 16 (or any multiple of sts).
- Base Row: Forward Row: Skip first ch, *insert hook in next ch, yo and draw up a loop, leave loop on hook; rep from * across. Rep Return Row.
- Row 1: Forward Row: TPS in next st and ea st across. Rep Return Row.
- Row 2: Rep Row 1 Forward and Return.
- Row 3: Forward Row: EKS in next st and ea st across. Rep Return Row.
- Rep Row 3 until scarf measures 64.5” (164 cm) long, or approximately 1” (2.5 cm) shorter than desired length.
- Rows 4-5: Rep Row 1 Forward and Return twice.
- Bind Off Row: *TPS in next st, yo and draw through both loops on hook; rep from * across. Fasten off.
Finishing
- With yarn needle, weave in ends.
I think this would be a perfect scarf for anyone, from my kids to my husband–thanks so much for sharing the pattern with us!
The video makes it much easier.
I just picked up Tunisian crochet again after a few years. I tried this pattern. It goes quickly, it’s easy, and even looks good on both sides! Thanks for this one.