Crochet Special Stitches and Techniques

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Peacock Scarf




I like to look for inspiration in nature.  What better inspiration than peacock feathers.  Peacock feathers are actually more green than turquoise and purple, but I like these colors a lot.  If you would rather make your scarf in shades of green though, you will actually be closer to the real thing.

Level:  Intermediate

Materials:

Worsted Weight yarn in (A) Turquoise, (B) Purple, (C) Light Green and (D) Dark Blue 

These are the actual yarns I used:
Color A:  Caron Simply Soft, Pagoda
Color B:  Red Heart Shimmer, Purple
Color C:  Caron Simply Soft, Pistachio
Color D:  Caron Simply Soft, Dark Country Blue
H/8-5.00mm hook
Needle with a large eye for weaving in

Here is a tutorial on how to keep your stitches even.

Scarf Pattern:

With color A, Ch 32.

Row 1:  3 dcs in 4th ch from hook, sk 3 chs, 7scs (one per ch), sk 3 chs, 7 dcs in 4th ch, sk 3 chs, 7 scs (one per ch), sk 3 chs, 4 dcs in last ch.  Ch 1, turn.





Row 2:  Sc in first st and in each st across to end, with last sc in top of 4 ch.  Ch 1, turn.



Row 3:  Sc in first st and in next threes sts for a total of 4 scs, sk 3 sts, 7 dcs in 4th st, sk 3 sts, 7 scs (one per st), sk 3 sts, 7 dcs in 4th st, sk 3 sts, 4 scs (one per st) to end of row.  Ch 1, turn.



Row 4:  Rep Row 2 with last sc in last sc of row, except at end ch 3, turn.



Row 5:  Ch 3 counts as first dc. 3 dcs in first st, sk 3 sts, 7scs (one per st), sk 3 sts,  
7 dcs in 4th st, sk 3 sts, 7scs (one per st), sk 3 sts, 4 dcs in last st. Ch 1, turn.

Rep rows 2 through 5 once, then repeat rows 2 through 4, but don't do ch 3 at end. Fasten off.

Switch to Color B

Attach yarn in st you just fastened off.



Repeat rows 5 and 2, but don't ch 1.  Fasten off.

Switch to Color A, attach where you fastened off color B.

Repeat the entire pattern starting at Row 2 until the scarf is a long as you want it.  End the scarf with a color A row, so it will be the same on each end.

Peacock Feather Pattern:

Make 6 feathers.

Using color A, start with a magic circle. (scroll down on this link, I promise it's there.)

Rnd 1:  3 scs in cir, while making fourth sc change to color D, (use this method for all color changes in an sc)




 make 8 scs in cir bringing along yarn A under the sts.  




Gently pull the short end of yarn A to close the cir.





Join color C.




Sl st in beg sc.



Trim color D end, leaving a long enough tail to weave in.

Rnd 2:  Ch 1, sc in same st, continue bringing yarn A along under sts.



2 scs in next sc, *1 sc in next sc, 2 scs in next sc* 2 times.  Switch to yarn A



Bring yarn C along under sts, *1 sc in next sc, 2 scs in next sc* 2 times. Switch back to yarn C.  1 sc in next sc, 2 scs in next sc, 1 sc in last sc, sl st in first sc made. Fasten off.  Pull short end of yarn A even tighter to close cir all the way.  Pull other short ends tighter as well.





Trim and weave in all yarn ends.



Rnd 3:   Attach yarn B to 6th sc of yarn C.



Ch 4, 1 dc in same sc. *2 dcs in next sc* 2 times.  Sl st down dc





*Sc in next 2 scs, 2 scs in next sc* 5 times.  Sc in next sc, sl st in bottom ch of beg 4 chs.



Rnd 4:  TURN



Sl st in next 3 scs, then sc in next 4 scs.  *Ch 12, sl st in next sc* 8 times.





Sc in next 3 scs, sl st to base of 4 chs, sl st in bottom of 4chs.  Fasten off.  Cut a tail of color C long enough to use for sewing the feather onto the scarf.


With needle draw yarn tail through top of feather.




With right sides together, sew feather to scarf, weaving thread back and forth.









Then weave yarn back and forth through top of feather.




Cut yarn close to feather.

You can leave feathers separated.


Or sew them together.





Abbreviations
ch(s)--chain(s)
sc(s)--single crochet(s)
dc(s)--double crochet(s)
sk--skip
sl st(s)--slip stitch(es)
beg--beginning
rnd--round
cir--circle


You May Also Like:
         
            One-Skein Maze Scarf
Falling Leaves Ripple Cowl
Quick Ripple Cowl



23 comments:

  1. Absolutely beautiful! I love peacocks! And will definitely have to make this for myself. Thanks for the free pattern!!

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  2. Fantastic pattern, very different, I've put it as next on my to do list as it's so unusual. I shall use a teal colour rather than turquoise though. Thanks for sharing

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    Replies
    1. Like I said in the pattern, peacocks are actually more green than blue, I just happen to be a big turquoise fan. I'm sure teal will be really beautiful. I'd love to see your finished scarf.

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  3. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  4. Thank you for this, I'm fairly new to crocheting and this is the first pattern that's inspired me to make something for myself!

    What is the purpose of skipping three chains around the shell stitches? On my scarf this is making big holes on each side of the shells that I dont see on your scarf. Any idea where I'm going wrong with this? I'm on row 7 so if I need to start over I will, I want it to look perfect. :)

    Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Skipping 3 chains allows the shell to spread out. It's possible that you are crocheting very tightly and that is causing the gap. Try loosening up the tension on the yarn you are holding in the hand opposite from your hook and allowing the loop on the hook to slide back to the straight part of the hook (this is how you keep your stitches even). I will post a page to show where the shaft of the hook is and link it to this pattern on Row 1. If this doesn't solve your problem, check to make sure you are doing the correct number of double crochets. Try counting as you do the doubles. I will also post a picture on this post that counts the stitches. Let me know if this helped.

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    2. Just above the scarf pattern I put a link to how to keep your stitches even and not to tight or too loose. Hope this helps.

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    3. I just thought of another possibility, are you doing all the double crochets in the same stitch or are you skipping three stitches after each double? You need to do all the double crochets in the same stitch. If none of these solutions help let me know and maybe we can figure out a way for you to send me a picture.

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  5. Thanks so, so much for your help! I was doing the stitches too tightly. Happy crocheting!

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  6. Thank you so much for this wonderful,uncommon pattern.I love it so much & I am going to make this for MYSELF.I have never crochet anything for me before.These are my favorite color too.Thanks a lot again.

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    Replies
    1. I'm glad you like it, these are my favorite colors too!

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  7. I love peacocks, so thank yoy very mutch for this pattern.
    I think I will maken mine black and layer some "feathers" so it will look like a a real peacock-tail.
    Greetz from Holland!

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    Replies
    1. That sounds pretty I would like to see a picture when it's done. My email is crochetparfaitpg@yahoo.com. Thanks!

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  8. I am doing the happy crocheters dance! I love your design for so many things, and peacock colors are heavy on my mind. Naturally, I gravitated to this pattern in your sidebar..... And, oh, its awesome... Are you ready.... I HAVE all the colorways from Caron that you used to make this! WOO HOO! As a newish crocheter that has chronic illness affecting my ability to crochet at will (can you say "tendonitis every time i make a granny square? Yep A (meaning one) granny square. Ugh! This also happens when I walk, so I have to order yarn online, and having never seen them in person, often get a whole different color than was portrayed in the picture. This has made it hard to build a good stash of enough accurately colored yarn. Its been so hard to get greens, and nice blues or pinks. I am stoked that I have the colors to make a pattern in the same colors used by the designer. What a great thing! And, I had "lost" your blog. I sm so excited to have found you again! And extra ty for the free tutorials and instructions available in printer friendly, or pdf, formats! Thank you SO much! Love your work!

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    Replies
    1. You're welcome. I'm glad everything worked out. Be sure to stretch your hands and forearms often.

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  9. I just love this scarf.thank you so much for sharing the pattern.

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  10. On your Peacock scarf you say, "7scs (one per ch),..." It makes more sense to say "SC in next 7 sts (or ch if on a foundation or other chain).

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  11. On your Peacock scarf you say, "7scs (one per ch),..." It makes more sense to say "SC in next 7 sts (or ch if on a foundation or other chain).

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  12. I love the design of the scarf. I would like to make it wider for a blanket. How would I do that for it to line up right?

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    Replies
    1. As long as you start and end the same way I did on the first row, it should work out.

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  13. Such a wonderful scarf you have made. You can also check out one of the best craft kit wholesale websites. They have some of the best DIY kits and they are also safe to use by the kids.

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