V Stitch Scarf Crochet Pattern: A Light, Lacy Scarf in Easy Stripes

The V stitch is the hardest-working simple stitch in crochet: two double crochets leaning together with a chain between them, forming a neat letter V that stacks into soft, open fabric. This V stitch scarf crochet pattern turns that one move into a complete scarf — 20 cm (8 in) wide, 150 cm (59 in) long, with a simple two-colour stripe plan and optional fringe. There is no shaping and no counting beyond ten: the same row repeats from Row 2 to Row 90, so you can work it in front of a film and still finish with straight edges. If you like your scarves even lighter, our mesh scarf pattern is the V stitch’s airy cousin.

What Is the V Stitch?

A V stitch is (dc, ch 1, dc) worked into a single stitch or space: two double crochets sharing one base, opening into a V with a small chain-space at its heart. On the next row, each new V is worked into the chain-1 space of the V below, so the Vs stack in tidy columns and the gaps between columns form the lacy grid. Every V contains exactly three elements, so counting is simple — and in this scarf there are exactly 10 Vs in every row, from Row 1 to Row 90. One edge double crochet at each side frames the columns and keeps the long edges straight. The fabric drapes beautifully and grows fast. For a denser textured stitch with a similar one-row rhythm, see our honeycomb stitch crochet pattern.

Materials and Gauge

• Worsted weight (#4) acrylic yarn: teal (A) approx. 350 yd (320 m) — two 100 g balls; cream (B) approx. 110 yd (100 m) — one 100 g ball. Total about 460 yd (420 m), including enough of colour A left over for the fringe. Acrylic keeps the scarf light and washable; a wool blend gives a warmer, loftier fabric. If yarn labels are new to you, the Craft Yarn Council’s yarn weight system explains the “#4” on the ball band.
• 5.5 mm (US I-9) crochet hook
• Stitch markers (2, optional but helpful)
• Tape measure, tapestry needle and scissors

Gauge: each V measures about 2 cm (¾ in) wide, so 10 Vs = 20 cm (8 in); 6 rows = 10 cm (4 in) in V stitch, measured laid flat and unstretched. At this gauge, 90 rows give the full 150 cm; Step 5 shows how to adjust if your rows differ.

Finished measurements: 20 × 150 cm (8 × 59 in), not counting the fringe; fringe adds about 13 cm (5 in) at each end.

Useful Materials from Amazon

A soft worsted acrylic in two contrasting colours is all this scarf asks for; two balls of the main colour and one of the contrast cover the stripes and the fringe.

Ninety rows of double crochet is a lot of wrist work, and a cushioned 5.5 mm hook keeps the open V-stitch tension easy to hold.

Abbreviations (US Terms)

• ch = chain
• dc = double crochet
• sp = space (the ch-1 space at the centre of a V)
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• rep = repeat
• V = (dc, ch 1, dc) worked into the same stitch or space

The V Stitch Scarf Crochet Pattern, Step by Step

Work the scarf flat, turning at the end of every row. The turning chain of 3 counts as the edge double crochet throughout, so every row is built the same way: edge dc, 10 Vs, edge dc.

Step 1 — Foundation Chain and the First V Row

With teal (A), ch 37.

Row 1: Dc in the 4th ch from the hook (the 3 skipped ch stand in for the edge dc’s height). *Skip 2 ch, work a V (dc, ch 1, dc) in the next ch.* Rep from * 9 more times — you now have 10 Vs. Skip 2 ch, dc in the last ch. Turn. (10 Vs, plus 1 edge dc at each side — 22 dc and 10 ch-1 spaces in total)

Count the chains as you go: 37 chains give exactly 10 Vs with a dc at both ends and nothing left over. If you end with a spare chain or run out early, the skip-2 rhythm slipped — recount this row now, because every later row copies it.

Step 2 — The Second Row: Vs into the Chain-1 Spaces

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as the edge dc), turn. Work a V into the ch-1 sp of each V across — all 10 Vs, each sitting directly on top of the V below. Dc in the last dc of Row 1. Turn. (10 Vs, plus 1 edge dc at each side)

Never work into the tops of a V’s two double crochets — always dive straight into the chain-1 space between them. After a few rows the hook finds it by itself.

Step 3 — The Repeat Row and Keeping Count

Row 3: Repeat Row 2 exactly: ch 3, V in every ch-1 sp across, dc in the last dc. (10 Vs)

Every row from here to Row 90 is this row. The count that matters is 10 Vs — pause at the end of each row and count the Vs across; it takes seconds and saves unravelling. The two mistakes that change the count are working a V into a dc top instead of the space, which splits a column, and skipping the last ch-1 space, which hides beside the edge dc. Or clip a marker into the first and last ch-1 space before you turn; the markers travel up with you and show where the first and last Vs belong. Our crochet headband pattern practises the same edge-and-repeat discipline on a one-evening project.

Step 4 — Stripe Changes

The stripe plan is simple: 6 rows in teal (A), then 2 rows in cream (B), repeated. Rows 1–6 teal, Rows 7–8 cream, Rows 9–14 teal, and so on.

Change colour at the very end of a row: work the final dc until two loops remain on your hook, drop the old colour, yarn over with the new colour and pull through both loops, then ch 3 and turn as usual. Carry the resting colour loosely up the side edge — with changes this frequent, cutting every tail would triple your finishing time. Keep the carried strand relaxed so the edge does not pucker; each row’s edge dc hides it.

Follow the plan to the end: 11 full stripe repeats bring you to Row 88, then Rows 89–90 in teal, so the scarf begins and ends with the main colour — 90 rows in total.

Step 5 — Working to Length

At the stated gauge, 6 rows = 10 cm, so 90 rows = 150 cm. Do not trust the row count alone — measure. Lay the scarf flat, smooth it out without stretching, and measure down the centre. V stitch relaxes as it grows, so measure after at least 30 rows to get a true row height, then adjust: if your 30 rows measure 48 cm instead of 50, you need roughly 4 extra rows to reach 150 cm. Add or subtract rows in complete stripe blocks where you can, and always end on a teal row so both ends match. This V stitch scarf crochet pattern forgives a centimetre either way, but measure before the final row, not after.

Step 6 — The Final Row and Neat Edges

Row 90: Repeat Row 2 one last time. (10 Vs) Fasten off, leaving a 15 cm (6 in) tail.

Your long edges are already neat if your turning chains were consistent: the ch-3 and the closing dc of each row form two straight columns framing the Vs. Weave in every end with a tapestry needle, running each tail down the legs of the edge dc or through the bases of a row of Vs, changing direction once so it cannot work loose. Weave stripe-change tails along their own colour — a cream tail hidden in a teal row shows through the open spaces.

Large-eye tapestry needles with blunt tips slide between V-stitch legs without splitting the yarn, which makes weaving in stripe ends much faster.

Step 7 — Optional Fringe: Cutting and Attaching

Fringe suits this scarf’s open stitch, and it is all arithmetic. Cut 72 strands of teal (A), each 30 cm (12 in) long — wrap the yarn around a book or card 30 cm wide and cut along one edge to keep them even. Each knot uses 3 strands, and there are 12 knots per end: one into each of the 10 ch-1 spaces of the end row, plus one at each edge dc. At the foundation end, work into the chain each V was built on, in the same 12 positions.

To attach a knot: fold the 3 strands in half, push the folded loop through the space from front to back with your hook, pull the loose ends through the loop and tighten gently. Work across the end, comb the fringe straight with your fingers, and trim the ends level — about 13 cm (5 in) hanging looks balanced on a 150 cm scarf.

Sharp dressmaking shears trim fringe cleanly in one pass; dull craft scissors chew the strands and leave the ends ragged.

Step 8 — Blocking and Care

Blocking turns a good V-stitch scarf into a crisp one. Lay the scarf on foam mats and pin it to exactly 20 × 150 cm, straightening the columns of Vs and evening both long edges; pin the fringe straight too if you added it. For acrylic, steam lightly from a few centimetres above and let it cool completely; for a wool blend, wet block and leave it to dry flat. The chain-1 spaces open evenly and the stripes settle into clean bands.

Care: machine wash gentle in cool water (hand wash a wool blend), roll in a towel to remove water, and dry flat, reshaping the fringe with your fingers. Store the scarf folded loosely, not hanging, so the Vs do not stretch under their own weight.

That is the whole V stitch scarf crochet pattern — one row, ten Vs, ninety times. The same fabric makes wraps and baby blankets just by changing the starting chain, and worn accessories like our bandana patterns and santa hat pattern will keep your hook busy in the same Hats & Scarves spirit.